# NBA 2026-27 Predictions: West Locks, East Bloodbath

> CBS Sports predicts Thunder-Spurs West dominance with East chaos ahead of 2026-27 NBA season.
- Title: NBA 2026-27 Predictions: West Locks, East Bloodbath | Shortify
- Summary: CBS Sports predicts Thunder-Spurs West dominance with East chaos ahead of 2026-27 NBA season. The NBA 2026-27 season will see the Oklahoma City Thunder and…
- Keywords: nba, okc, spurs, eastern conference, western conference, playoffs, larry o brien trophy, 2026-27 season, nba standings, conference finals, nba finals, sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-2026-27-season-predictions-expert-picks-standings-playoffs-finals
- Published: 2026-10-19T18:00:10+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nba, okc, spurs, eastern conference, western conference, playoffs, larry o brien trophy, 2026-27 season, nba standings, conference finals, nba finals, sports
## West Conference Predicted
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will lead the Western Conference with the top six teams locked in.
## East Conference Chaos
The Eastern Conference will see intense competition with more than half the teams aiming for the NBA Finals.
## West Standings Predictions
The Thunder and Spurs are projected to finish first and second in the Western Conference standings.
## East Standings Predictions
The Knicks, Celtics, Raptors, and Pacers are expected to dominate the Eastern Conference standings.
## Conference Finals Predictions
The Spurs and Thunder are projected to meet in the Western Conference Finals, while the Knicks and Celtics face off in the East.
## NBA Finals Predictions
The Spurs and Thunder are expected to clash in the NBA Finals, with the Spurs likely to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
## Expert Analysis
Brad Botkin states the Spurs will threaten 70 wins and the Knicks are the most complete team for the playoffs.

> It's wemby time in the west . that's really all there is to it.
## East Depth
The Eastern Conference has eight teams with credible Finals cases, including the Knicks, Celtics, and Raptors.
## West Depth
The Western Conference features the Thunder and Spurs as the top teams with a clear gap between them and the rest.
## Knicks' Playoff Edge
The Knicks are expected to be the most complete team for the playoffs despite potential regular season challenges.
## Thunder's Path
The Thunder aim to avenge their 2026 playoff loss against the Spurs with a healthy Jalen Williams.
## Spurs' Path
The Spurs are expected to win the NBA championship after a strong 2026 season with Wemby.
## East Championship Race
The Celtics and Knicks are the top contenders in the Eastern Conference for the NBA championship.
## 2026-27 Season Outcome
The 2026-27 NBA season will see the Spurs and Thunder clash in the Finals with the Spurs likely to win.
## Key takeaway

The NBA 2026-27 season will see the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs dominate the Western Conference while the Eastern Conference faces intense competition for playoff spots.