With the 2026 NBA playoffs tipping off, the championship race feels wide open. The usual suspects are there, but this year's field boasts an unusually high number of legitimate contenders. By one analytical measure, seven teams—the Thunder, Spurs, Celtics, Nuggets, Cavs, Pistons, and Knicks—enter with a real shot at the title, with the Wolves lurking as a dangerous dark horse. The Western Conference, as always, promises to be an absolute gauntlet.

Having correctly predicted the last two NBA champions, let's see if the streak continues. Here’s a full bracket breakdown, from the opening round to the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

First up in the East, the Detroit Pistons, with a healthy Cade Cunningham back in the fold, face a tricky opening test. Their likely opponent, the Charlotte Hornets, have been one of the league's hottest teams down the stretch. Led by a resurgent LaMelo Ball and Coach Charles Lee's defensive schemes, Charlotte is no easy out. While Detroit's depth and resilience—they went 8-3 without Cunningham late in the season—should ultimately prevail, expect this to be a competitive, hard-fought series rather than a simple sweep.

Out West, a major injury casts a shadow over one series. The Philadelphia 76ers, set to face a powerhouse, will be without the reigning MVP Joel Embiid. His absence is a devastating blow; the Sixers' system and defense are built around his dominance. Without him, they simply lack the firepower to keep up with a top-seeded opponent, making this the most likely first-round sweep of the postseason.