In the playoffs, the performance of a team often hinges not solely on their abilities but also on the opponents they face.

For the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, their postseason path currently appears smooth with minimal challenges ahead.

While the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Thunder in four out of five encounters this season, the playoff scenario is different. The Thunder’s biggest threats, the Denver Nuggets and Spurs, are set to clash in the second round—assuming they overcome their respective first-round opponents, which they are expected to do.

In the opening round, Denver will play against Minnesota, while San Antonio faces Portland. Conversely, OKC will encounter either the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers, or the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunder had a strong regular-season record against those three teams, having a 10-2 record, including one loss when they had rested their main players. Therefore, it seems that OKC is heading towards the Western Conference Finals with a lot of momentum.

After defeating the play-in tournament winner, the Thunder’s next opponent will be the victor of the Rockets and Lakers series. Thus, OKC might either face a depleted Lakers squad or a Rockets team that has been inconsistent yet managed to secure a few victories towards the season’s end.

In this projected matchup against either a fatigued Lakers team or an inconsistent Rockets squad, OKC is likely to be favored. At this stage, bettors might consider placing their bets on either the Nuggets or Spurs at advantageous odds, hoping for a seven-game series where they could secure a win.

PICK: Thunder (-155) to win the Western Conference