Opening 2026 NBA Win Totals + Best Early Bets to Make
By Brady Trettenero in NBA Basketball
Published:
- 2026 NBA Win Totals are live with the Thunder opening at 62.5 wins, the highest since the 2018-19 Warriors
- The Cavaliers and Rockets lead the chase at 55.5 wins, while the Jazz project for just 18.5
- See all the Opening 2026 NBA Win Totals below, plus the best early bets to make
Fresh off their first championship in franchise history, the Thunder enter the 2025-26 season with mammoth expectations. DraftKings Sportsbook dropped win totals for all 30 teams, and OKC’s 62.5 projection is sitting pretty at the top.
It’s the biggest preseason win total since the Durant-Curry Warriors kicked off at 67.5 back in 2018-19. That Golden State team didn’t quite make it, finishing with 57 wins and then losing to Toronto in the Finals.
Since 1993-94, teams with win totals of 60-plus have gone 8-3 to the under.
2026 NBA Win Totals Betting Odds
There is an enormous disparity between OKC and the field. Cleveland and Houston share the second-highest NBA win total odds at 55.5, meaning the Thunder project to win seven more games than any other team. That’s the largest differential since the 2015-16 Warriors opened 7.5 wins ahead of the Cavaliers and Spurs.
On the opposite end, Utah’s 18.5 win projection marks the lowest preseason total since Philadelphia opened at 15 wins in 2014-15. The Jazz are clearly committed to the tank after trading away their best players.
Odds as of July 8th. Claim the DraftKings promo code before making any NBA futures bets.
NBA Win Totals Bet #1: Los Angeles Clippers Over 45.5 Wins
The Clippers won 50 games last season and got better this offseason. They brought back James Harden on a reasonable two-year deal and replaced Norman Powell with John Collins, who shot 39.9% from deep last year.
More importantly, they upgraded their backup center spot by signing Brook Lopez. The 37-year-old might be past his prime, but he’s still an elite rim protector who spaces the floor. He made 37% of his threes last season and allowed just 47.8% shooting at the rim, third-best among centers who defended at least 300 attempts.
The real X-factor is Kawhi Leonard’s health. He played just 37 games last year but looked like his old self in the playoffs. If he can give the Clippers 60 games, this team should cruise past 45.5 wins.
They also ducked the luxury tax without losing any key pieces. Ty Lue can now go big with Lopez and Ivica Zubac or stay small when matchups dictate. This flexibility, combined with Harden’s steady hand running the offense, makes the Clippers a strong over play at this number.
NBA Win Totals Bet #2: Los Angeles Lakers Under 47.5 Wins
The Lakers won 50 games last season but posted an expected record of just 44-38. They ranked 14th in net rating and benefited from close-game luck that’s unlikely to repeat.
Their offseason has been puzzling at best. They let Dorian Finney-Smith walk for nothing after trading three second-round picks for him just months ago. DFS had a plus-17.1 swing rating for the Lakers, good for the 99th percentile league-wide.
They replaced him with Jake LaRavia and signed Deandre Ayton at center. While both additions have upside, neither addresses the Lakers’ core issues. Ayton challenged just 3.6 shots at the rim per game last season, tied for 78th in the NBA with guards like Jamal Murray.
LeBron James turns 41 in December and has shown declining defensive effort during the regular season. The Lakers already struggled defensively last year, and losing Anthony Davis plus Finney-Smith will make matters worse. This looks like a play-in team masquerading as a contender.
NBA Win Totals Bet #3: New York Knicks Over 51.5 Wins
The Knicks were two wins away from the NBA Finals and just got deeper. They signed Jordan Clarkson, who averaged 16.2 points and shot 36.2% from three last season. He’ll provide instant offense off the bench and keep Jalen Brunson fresh.
They also added Guerschon Yabusele on a bargain two-year, $12 million deal. The French forward shot 38% from deep last year and gives New York another versatile big who can space the floor.
The biggest upgrade might be at head coach. Mike Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau and should utilize the bench more effectively. The Knicks can now comfortably go nine deep, crucial for navigating an 82-game season.
Meanwhile, the East got weaker. Boston lost Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury and traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Indiana lost Tyrese Haliburton to the same injury and saw Myles Turner leave in free agency. Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard to create cap space.
The Knicks have continuity, depth, and play in a conference that just opened up. They should blow past this number if healthy.
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Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
