The NBA playoffs were once boring, at least according to skeptics. There was little confusion, the best team was determined by who has the best individual players, and almost always the best team won. NBA fans endure it for four years Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers In the NBA Finals. With Kevin Durant in the Bay, he felt that his dream of NBA parity was more affordable than ever.
NBA history is defined by the dynasty of Russell and Byrd Celtics Magic and Kobe Lakers The Jordanian bull spurs Duncan’s spurs Curry’s warrior. That era of the league may never go away, but if there is nothing else it is left on an indefinite break.
The NBA parity is here, and it’s brilliant. The league has won a different champion in each of the last six seasons. Toronto RaptorsLos Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucksthe Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics all claim titles. The last time that happened in league history was 1975-1980.
The Celtics will be taking part in the 2025 NBA playoffs, hoping to become the first team to win consecutive championships since Durant and Curry Warriors. Boston is one of my favourites, but the path to title should be much more difficult than the cakewalk I had last year.
The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs begins on Saturday. Create a pick for each first round series and predict the rest of the bracket.
NBA Playoffs 2025: First Round Picks and Predictions
The 8th seeds of the East and West have not yet been decided at the time of publication.
Western Conference
Prediction: No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder moves forward with a sweep.
No. 2 seed Houston Rockets vs. 7th Seed Golden State Warriors: This is going to be a great series. Rockets have youth, size and athletic ability. For the warrior two He’s the best player in the series with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, but he’s definitely a smaller, slower, and physically creakable Golden State. I have already changed my mind the last ten times. Can Amen Thompson lock down curry throughout the series like in the regular season? Can the Rockets score well on the half court without a true star? Will Alperen Changen abuse the Warriors’ small ball lineup? I’m looking forward to instant classics. prediction: Warrior of 7.
No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves: It’s not worth it yet that the Lakers have Luka Donsic. This roster felt that I was too flawed after the transaction as there was no first big big guy, but head coach JJ Redick did an amazing job coming up with a creative defensive solution. Rudy Goat is not going to punish the Lakers defense. I think the LA trap could have some trouble with Anthony Edwards. Jaden McDaniels already knows he won’t defend Luka in the playoffs after last year’s Western Conference Finals. I also feel that this could become a massive Austin Reeves series. Prediction: 6-year-old Lakers.
No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets vs. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers: Another great series. Nikola Djokic is heading for a great season of all time, finishing in the top three with points, rebounds, assists and steel, shooting nearly 42% from 3. The rest of the Nuggets wasn’t quite exciting and the fact that they had a new head coach in the last three games doesn’t bring confidence. The clipper is rolling. James Harden-Ivica Zubac’s pick and roll has been devastating throughout the season. Kawhi Leonard is back and playing big minutes at a high level. The surrounding defenders chase after it, and Norm Powell can quickly fire. The Clippers have a better team, but believing in them to win this series means they believe Leonard can stay healthy overall (this hasn’t happened in the playoffs since 2020). Chips are stacked against Jokic here, but if Jamal Murray and Aaron Godhan can step up, I like their chance. Prediction: Nuggets of 7.
Eastern Conference
The No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers move forward with a sweep.
No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 seed Orlando Magic: The magic can get really good, but their historic lack of shooting and their failure to optimize Paolo Bancello’s touch made this an unforgettable season. Orlando please, follow the Pistons’ path to add a veteran shooter this summer! The Celtics are juggernauts, even with Jalen Brown’s knees a little bulky. Prediction: Celtics of 5.
No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Detroit Piston: The Pistons are a great story from teams that won 14 last year to teams that won 44 this year. Cade Cunningham is ready to cement himself as one of the next generation of NBA’s best security guards as his playoffs start a party. The Knicks went 0-10 against the top three NBA teams this year, but the pistons aren’t at that level. New York has at least four of the five best players in the series. This is a great season, no matter how Detroit ends. Prediction: Knicks of 6.
No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks and Pacers have a great little rivalry, from the Game Ball Gate to the Pacers to the Pacers using soccer play, winning regular season matchups that gave them a home court advantage in the series. Damien Lillard currently has a blood clot, but he could potentially play at some point in the series. Along with Dame, this feels like throwing. Without him, Pacer feels like a more complete team with more explosive attacks. Indiana’s defense has improved significantly since last year, and he has enough body to try and slow Giannis Antetokounmpo at least a bit. Can Giannis win this series himself? Like Jokic vs. The Clippers, I don’t pass it past him, but without Dame there’s too much work. Prediction: 6 pacers.
NBA Playoffs 2025: Champions and Conference Finals Predictions
I have my full bracket. Let’s take a look at some big themes.
- I like warriors in series against the Lakers, but I take them over the rocket. Houston Gold’s first round series is thrown to such a degree that it feels so bold to pick the Warriors for the Western Conference Finals, but that’s how I’m leaning.
- Cavs-Pacers could be a great second round series in the East. Don’t forget that the Pacers played the Eastern Conference Finals last year, and this team is far better, and Tyreese Halliburton plays the best ball at the right time. The Cavs-Pacers see more competition than the Celtic Snicks. Still, I’m going to Cleveland.
- If the Eastern Conference Finals are anything other than Cavs-Celtics, that would be a huge upset. I choose the Celtics with 7 in the Instant Classic. There are people in Boston who have frustrated Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland with their attacks and are defensively targeted. This could be the giant Christaps Porzingis series for pulling Cleveland twin towers out of paint. If Porzingis falls with an injury, this series, in my opinion, will cast it to Cavs.
Predictions and Picks for NBA Finals 2025
I’ll go with the Celtics Thunder as a 6 of us.
The Thunder has two big questions to take part in the playoffs.
- Can they continue to force defence turnovers at historic speeds?
- Can Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren step up as half-court secondary educators?
These are big issues. A team like the Lakers, with two great ball handlers, Luka Doncic and Lebron James, was able to tell OKC the problem. I think J-Dub and Chet are ready to step up, but playing the two big lineups Thunder has used frequently to end the season (Holmgren + Isaiah Hartenstein) can make the interval a bit cramped.
Still, I am optimistic with lightning, as I believe in the greatness of Shy Gilgauss Alexander. They feel they are less dependent on three-point shots than last year (when OKC fell from 38.9% in the season to 34% in the playoffs), and the addition of Hartenstein could reduce the concerns of the defense Livanders. Keeping Alex Caruso fresh for the playoffs requires paying a big dividend. This defense does not have a weak link to attack. If the defense wins the championship (a word to Nico Harrison) and the superstar takes you across the finish line, OKC has the right combo led by Shai (my final MVP pick).
