2025 NBA Playoff Predictions

I know I’m late in putting these takes out, but better late than never. Quite honestly, I like to get a little bump-in of the playoffs before I firmly settle on winners and losers.

Not that anyone was using my thoughts as sports betting advice-which you shouldn’t. I’m not in tune with the odds.

Regardless, this is how I feel things are going to shape up, plus the X-factors for each series.

East Matchups

Bucks > Pacers in 6
Giannis is having an underrated season. I feel like he isn’t talked about enough. He’s still attacking the rim. Pat Connaughton deserves more Kuzma minutes in the playoffs-he’s a total gamer who brings a blue-chip, hard-nosed identity to this team. Dame defying science and coming back from clots changes the game for them.

Tyrese will have a hyper-efficient series, and Pascal will give a nice 22 PPG, but I think Indiana needs to get better at scoring from the 2-guard spot and wing. Nembhard is an X-factor for Indiana, and my favorite PG, TJ McConnell, can give them much-needed juice.

I still got Bucks in 6!

Pistons > Knicks in 6
Detroitttt Basketballll…

I’m obviously biased. I’ve waited too long for this-spent days making mock playoff rosters with Sekou Doumbouya as our franchise player. I still hold Killian Hayes stock, which most Pistons fans would think I’m insane for. But I feel so good about being back in the playoffs as a Pistons fan. Growing up, seeing the Blake, Reggie, Drummond core-along with Morris, KCP, Bruce Brown and others-that was the last time.

From a team perspective, the national media has it all wrong. Detroit is quite literally the city of hard-nosed Bad Boyz, with Cadillac swag… ahem, Udonis Haslem. I feel like the national media doesn’t understand-Detroit has aura. It’s not San Antonio (no hate).

This team meshes well. Cade is a true 1A engine, and the Knicks have struggled to keep up with him. This is his moment in the Mecca.

Side note: the NBA is smart for giving their emerging stars stages in big markets. Ant in LA, Cade in Detroit, Paolo and Franz in Boston…

Brunson’s health would worry me as a Knicks fan. Bridges needs to average at least 17 PPG in the playoffs on good efficiency for them to have a chance. I feel like Josh Hart is going to have a big impact on the boards and draw charges for days. I just think KAT will put up numbers, but Detroit’s team cohesion and the mix of now-seasoned young guys with chips is too much.

Cavs > Heat in 5
This one is easy for me. Spo is the next GOAT coach, but Miami needs a wing scorer. Wiggins at 30 doesn’t move me as a 1B. Herro has never been a 1A in the playoffs, so this will be a good test for him.

The Cavs made the perfect Hunter trade, and Mitchell knows what to do in the playoffs. He’s the best player in this series and will take on a bigger offensive role.

I’ve never been a Garland guy-maybe I’m on an island here-but I think Miami attacks him with Davion at the guard spot. Mitchell will take on a bigger offensive load, and the Mobley/Allen combo outs Bam.

I like Atkinson too. Fresh off a COY win and winning with the French team and Golden State, he brings a different edge compared to his Nets days.

Celtics > Magic in 6
This is the most interesting matchup for me. Boston is a shoe-in for the Finals-they’ve got it all.

Big Al and Pritchard are two of my favorite players to watch. Cal alum JB is a certified dog. Tatum is more motivated than ever. The Unicorn as a third option is legit unfair.

BUT…

Orlando without Suggs is still a really tough out. Anthony hasn’t had a great year, but he’s a bucket getter and can be a microwave scorer with the best of them. I love Anthony Black and KCP on the perimeter, and Franz and Paolo are like a bigger (albeit stylistically different) version of Brown and Tatum.

Boston is deeper and has a clear advantage at the 5 spot, but Orlando will scare them in some hard-fought games.

West Matchups

Clippers > Nuggets in 7
I love the Clippers’ roster construction. They’re built like a modern-day tech startup-with all complementary pieces that just fit.

Norm Powell is an All-Star caliber player. Kawhi is super smart about watching his health for when it matters most.

Harden is All-NBA and earned a lot of respect this year for how he carried this team. Zubac literally changed the way he plays - from being a pick-and-pop guy to a legit rebounding engine and All-Defense candidate.

The Nuggets are all over the place. Jokic could have a historic series, but no-shows from Murray, Gordon, MPJ, or Braun would hurt them. They don’t have the spirit going into it this year IMO. I love Westbrook but think he gets blamed way too much.

Lakers > Timberwolves in 7
Ant in LA is a sight to see. Big fan of guys like NAW-I think he’ll have a great series as an X’s and O’s guy. Conley has all my respect. I think the Wolves have a chance if Julius has a hyper-efficient 16 PPG series with respectable defense, which he’s capable of. Conley has to be straight dishing for this team to run.

Luka is going to get the star calls. LeBron is still LeBron. JJ is a maniac with the details, so I love this series. The storylines are perfect, but Austin Reaves can will LA a game singlehandedly-and I can’t say the same about Jaden McDaniels. So I’m going with LA.

Thunder > Grizzlies in 4
Not much to say here. I do think OKC has to prove themselves a bit, and SGA is a bit overrated-sorry not sorry. He’s aesthetic, but needs to elevate his guys around him like prime Harden did. He has the weapons and the game, but needs to show it now in primetime. I think he will.

I love the Grizzlies role players and Bane-they’re all animals. Hyper-competitive team, going through stuff similar to Denver with coaches being let go. JJJ needs to get boards and play the defense of his life on OKC for Memphis to have a shot. Each game would be hard fought.

Warriors > Rockets in 7
Amen Thompson is special. I think Udoka is seeking revenge from the Warriors-Celtics days. They have the mix of vets and young guys to make a real push against the older guard. But I’m not sure if they have the wing player to close out games.

Steph is the best closer and Jimmy isn’t too far behind. Draymond knows their tendencies inside and out, and the Warriors can win games with IQ and intellect. FVV is going to be big for Houston, but I think the Rockets flame out and go all in after Durant this summer-which is what they should do.

Let me know your thoughts. What do you think I got right, where am I off-base.

Rishabh