Feb. 17, 2026 — With the All-Star break over, ESPN betting writers André Snellings and Eric Moody have updated their favorite wagers for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA campaign. DraftKings Sportsbook supplied the odds, which are subject to change.
Eastern Conference picks (Snellings)
Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson to win Most Improved Player (+220). Johnson’s scoring and rebounding have climbed since Trae Young was traded, giving him a statistical case comparable to favorite Deni Avdija.
Boston Celtics: Win Atlantic Division (+115). Boston leads New York by half a game and faces the conference’s fourth-easiest remaining schedule. Jayson Tatum has returned to full-court scrimmages, offering possible late-season help.
Charlotte Hornets: Make the playoffs (-145). Winners of 10 of 11, Charlotte holds the East’s No. 9 seed after adding rookie Kon Knueppel and recently acquired guard Coby White.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Record at least 55 regular-season wins (+230). Since trading Darius Garland for James Harden, Cleveland is 3-0 and needs a 21-6 finish to hit the mark. Evan Mobley is due back after the break.
Detroit Pistons: Most regular-season wins (+270). Detroit has passed Oklahoma City for the league’s best record by going 21-8 since Dec. 10.
Miami Heat: Under 43.5 wins (+100). Miami owns a 29-27 record but faces the NBA’s toughest remaining schedule.
Milwaukee Bucks: Make the Play-In Tournament (+500). Giannis Antetokounmpo is targeting a quick return from a calf strain, and Milwaukee sits 1.5 games out of 10th place.
New York Knicks: Over 52.5 wins (+110). New York is 35-20 and would need 18 victories in its final 27 contests; the club is 10-2 in its last 12 games.
Orlando Magic: Win Southeast Division (+100). Orlando leads Miami by half a game and enters the stretch run with a healthy roster.
Philadelphia 76ers: Make the Play-In Tournament (+105). Philadelphia holds the East’s sixth seed but has struggled whenever Joel Embiid sits.
Toronto Raptors: Over 46.5 wins (-115). Toronto is 32-23 after navigating a demanding schedule and now reports a clean injury list.
Western Conference picks (Moody)
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić to win regular-season MVP (+300). The center averages 28.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 59.0 percent; he can miss only one more game to remain award-eligible.
Golden State Warriors: Over 43.5 wins (+105). Stephen Curry is expected back from knee soreness, and new arrival Kristaps Porziņģis provides additional spacing and size.
Houston Rockets: Finish as the No. 4 seed (+175). Houston owns one of the league’s easiest closing schedules, while Minnesota faces one of the hardest.
LA Clippers: Under 41.5 wins (+100). After trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles leans heavily on Kawhi Leonard amid ongoing roster reshuffling.
Los Angeles Lakers: Make the Play-In Tournament (+210). A recent slide and middling advanced metrics place the Lakers in danger of falling into the 7–10 range.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Naz Reid to win Sixth Man of the Year (+190). Reid anchors Minnesota’s top offensive and defensive lineups and seeks a second straight award.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Over 61.5 wins (-115). Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s oblique injury, Oklahoma City prioritizes securing the No. 1 seed.
Phoenix Suns: Win Pacific Division (+165). The summer addition of Dillon Brooks has lifted the Suns to 10th in defensive rating, edging them past a weaker Los Angeles defense in the standings.
Portland Trail Blazers: Under 41.5 wins (-140). Portland occupies ninth place and must navigate one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules.
San Antonio Spurs: Win Western Conference (+850) and NBA Finals (16-1). San Antonio is 4-1 against Oklahoma City and ranks fifth in net rating behind rookie star Victor Wembanyama.
Utah Jazz: Keyonte George to win Most Improved Player (+800). The third-year guard averages 23.8 points, 6.5 assists and shoots 45.8 percent for a rebuilding Jazz squad.
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and were posted before the first post-break games.
Source: ESPN
