2026 Best NBA Second Half Future Picks and Odds

Feb 18th, 2026 11:52 AM EST

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Now that the All-Star game has come and gone, we are set for the second half of the NBA season to begin. With many teams gunning to make the playoffs – and some teams tanking – Bookies.com felt it was a good time to look at NBA second-half futures to bet on at the best sports betting sites.

Here are some NBA future bets to consider, with odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

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Pacific Division Winner: Los Angeles Lakers (-155)

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently in first place in the Pacific Division with a 1.5-game lead on the Phoenix Suns entering the second half. Led by NBA superstars Luke Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers are a far more talented team than the Suns, and we like for them to have a big second half and win their division. The odds are reasonable, so we like the Lakers for a bet.

Southeast Division Winner: Miami Heat (+225)

The Miami Heat are currently in second place in the Southeast Division, just half a game back of the Orlando Magic. Despite the standings being so tight, you can still get the Heat at +225 odds to win their division, and we like their chances to do so. This Heat team has one of the best coaches in the league with Erik Spoelstra, so we expect them to perform strongly in the second half. The Heat know what it takes to win, and we like their odds here to win their division.

Atlantic Division Winner: Boston Celtics (+125)

The Boston Celtics currently lead the Atlantic Division heading into the second half of the season with a 0.5-game lead on the New York Knicks, yet it’s the Knicks who are favored to win their division. We aren’t so sure about that, and expect a fight to the finish between these two storied NBA franchises. The Celtics have had a great year so far, even with star Jayson Tatum injured, and there’s a chance he could return from injury in the second half. If that happens, then we really like the Celtics to win their division, but either way, we think there’s value on Boston.

NBA MVP Award: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-175)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is the best player on the best team in the league, and he is the clear frontrunner to win his second straight MVP award. He is currently second in the league in scoring with 31.8 PPG, as he looks to lead the Thunder to another NBA Championship. He has also played in 49 games, so he just needs 16 more to get to the mandated 65-game mark to be eligible for postseason awards. Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is second in the race right now at +300, but the problem with Jokic is that he has been banged up this year and can only miss one more game this season to be eligible for postseason awards. Any injury to Jokic will be knocked out of this race. I’ll take my chances with SGA staying healthy and leading the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the west and winning MVP again.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award: Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+500)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat is having a phenomenal season off the bench. Through 51 games, he is averaging 15.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 4.7 APG, all of which are well above his career high. Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves is the favorite right now, but we think Jaquez has a really good chance to win this award if he keeps his stat line up in the second half.

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NBA Most Improved Player Award: Deni Avdija (-125)

Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers has taken a massive leap in his sixth season in the NBA. He is averaging 25.2 PPG, which is essentially double his career average of 12.8 PPG. On top of that, he is also averaging 7.2 RPG and 6.6 APG, plus he made his first All-Star appearance this season. He is the favorite to win the award, and we think he will win it.

NBA Coach of the Year Award: JB Bickerstaff (-150)

Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff is the favorite to win the NBA Coach of the Year award, and it’s for good reason. The Pistons are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference, and they have a chance to beat out the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top overall spot in the league with a big second half. Considering the Pistons have been one of the worst teams in the league in recent years, what Bickerstaff has done with this squad is remarkable. He is the favorite to win the award, and barring a second-half collapse by Detroit, he should win it.

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Adam Martin

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A writer based out of Toronto, Adam Martin has covered professional sports, with an emphasis on sports gambling, for more than a decade, writing for such outlets as The Toronto Star and Sportsnet. He is an expert in UFC, while also covering NHL betting and the Stanley Cup.

2026 Best NBA Second Half Future Picks and Odds

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