2025 NBA Playoff Predictions: Are Some People Just Over Thinking This?

With the NBA Playoffs set to tip off this weekend, here are my predictions for the 2025 postseason going all the way from the first round up until we crown a champion in June!

Eastern Conference First Round

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

The Heat, who came into the play-in tournament as the 10-seed, were able to win two games to advance to the playoffs. Their reward? A matchup with the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, who won 64 games this season. Even without Jimmy Butler, a lot of this Heat roster is battle-tested, and Erik Spoelstra should be able to come up with a game plan to keep Miami in it. However, the Cavs have been great all season long, and they are simply the more talented team. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland prove to be too much for the Heat to go bucket-for-bucket with, and the Cavs move on.

Prediction: Cavaliers Win Series 4-1

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic

I don't have much to say here; the Celtics have been in cruise control for a majority of this season, and they still somehow won 60 games. While the Magic did make the playoffs for the second straight year, as a whole this season likely has not gone as planned due to injuries, which is likely the reason the team didn't make the jump we expected them to. Boston beats Orlando relatively easily to advance.

Prediction: Celtics Win Series 4-0

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons

Now this could be a fun series. The Pistons' turnaround has been one of the stories in the league this season as the team and Cade Cunningham have taken a massive jump. However, I think this is just a talent disparity. New York went all-in this past summer by bringing in Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony-Towns, and I just don't see any way the Pistons send the Knicks home unless there is a significant injury. Detroit fights, but New York moves on.

Prediction: Knicks Win Series 4-2

(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

In a rematch of last year's first round, it appears the Bucks could be getting some help for Giannis Antetokounmpo in short order. Once he was diagnosed with a blood clot in late March, I assumed Damian Lillard was done for the year. But, it appears Lillard will be suiting up at some point in this series. Despite that, I am still going to Indiana. The Pacers, since the start of the new year, have been one of the best teams in the East, and truthfully, I don't know what to expect out of Lillard. Not to mention, there is no way I am putting faith in a Doc Rivers-led team. Pacers advance.

Prediction: Pacers Win Series 4-2

Western Conference First Round

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

Like the Celtics-Magic series, I don't have much to say. The Thunder have been the best team in the league all season long with a league-high 68 wins on the year, and over the last two months, the Grizzlies have been disappointing to say the least. At one point, this Memphis team was the 2-seed and now finds itself here. This slide is likely a major reason why a coaching change was made so late in the season. While I will give the Grizzlies credit, as they did show some fight in the Play-In Tournament, Oklahoma City is a different animal, and the Thunder win very quickly.

Prediction: Thunder Win Series 4-0

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

In my opinion, this is going to be the most fun series to watch in round one. The youth of the Rockets going up against the experience of the Warriors is fascinating to me, and with characters like Dillon Brooks, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler involved, I think we can expect a few scuffles. While I do think the Rockets will throw every punch they have at the Warriors, I think this series gets to a game seven where Stephen Curry puts on a show. I am getting similar vibes to that Warriors-Kings series in 2023, and I expect a similar result. Warriors advance.

Prediction: Warriors Win Series 4-3

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Last year, we saw Luka Dončić dominate this Timberwolves team in the Western Conference Finals, and I don't know why we should expect anything different. Since then, the Wolves, to me, have gotten worse by swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle, and Luka Doncic now has LeBron James as a running mate. I do think Anthony Edwards is special enough to steal a couple of games; I don't think his supporting cast is good enough to take down a James-Dončić-led Lakers squad. Lakers advance.

Prediction: Lakers Win Series 4-2

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

While it is tough to bet against Nikola Jokic, I think I am going to do it. Since Kawhi Leonard came back from injury in January, the Clippers have been one of the best teams in the West, and their supporting cast has gotten better also. Norman Powell has been great all year, and James Harden has shown flashes of his former self. I think Ivica Zubac does enough to bother Jokic, and the Nuggets supporting cast around the three-time MVP has been way too inconsistent for me. Not to mention Denver's recent coaching change, I just don't like the mojo in the Mile High City, and I think the Clips move on to the second round.

Prediction: Clippers Win Series 4-2

Remaining Rounds & Matchups

Eastern Conference Second Round

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers- Cavaliers Win Series 4-3
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks- Celtics Win Series 4-1

Western Conference Second Round

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers- Thunder Win Series 4-1
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Golden State Warriors- Lakers Win Series 4-2

Eastern Conference Final

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (2) Boston Celtics- Celtics Win Series 4-2

Western Conference Final

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers- Thunder Win Series 4-2

2025 NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat Boston Celtics In 7 Games

Yes, I know it's chalk. But is there a chance we're all just overthinking this? The Celtics and Thunder meeting in the finals has felt like the road we have been wandering down all year long. These are the two deepest rosters in the league, and while I would love to see one of our older stars get one last chance at a championship, I think Boston and OKC will be the teams we see fight for the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June, and it will be an all-time finals. In the end, I think the Thunder do just enough to squeak by and win the title on their home floor in a game seven to cap off this historic season for the franchise.