NBA Playoffs Preview, Predictions and everything you need to know
- ThatManChe
- 4 days ago
- 14 min read
The NBA Playoffs are here once again, one of the most underrated postseason tournaments in sports. For the next 2 months, we will watch 20 teams slowly get eliminated and 1 organization get to the end and be crowned champions.
The Teams
The Eastern Conference
10 Seed Miami Heat (Odds to win it all +200000)
9 Seed Chicago Bulls (Odds to win it all +200000)
8 Seed Atlanta Hawks (Odds to win it all +200000)
7 Seed Orlando Magic (Odds to win it all +100000)
6 Seed Detroit Pistons (Odds to win it all +50000)
5 Seed Milwaukee Bucks (Odds to win it all +11000)
4 Seed Indiana Pacers (Odds to win it all +8000
3 Seed New York Knicks (Odds to win it all +2500)
2 Seed Boston Celtics (Odds to win it all +190)
1 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers (Odds to win it all +700)
The Western Conference
10 Seed Dallas Mavericks (Odds to win it all +200000)
9 Seed Sacramento Kings (Odds to win it all +200000
8 Seed Memphis Grizzlies (Odds to win it all +30000)
7 Seed Golden State Warriors (Odds to win it all +1700)
6 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves (Odds to win it all +6500)
5 Seed Los Angeles Clippers (Odds to win it all +4000)
4 Seed Denver Nuggets (Odds to win it all +2500)
3 Seed Los Angeles Lakers (Odds to win it all +1400)
2 Seed Houston Rockets (Odds to win it all +8000)
1 Seed Oklahoma City Thunder (Odds to win it all +165
(All Odds Via Draftkings Sportsbook)
Let’s go over every team one by one.
The Eastern Conference
Miami Heat (Record 37-45)
It has been a very disappointing season in Miami, and major changes may be in line this offseason. The Jimmy Butler situation was a mess, and since they traded him, they have not been good. Outside of Bam and Tyler Herro, they don’t have talent. Erik Spoelstra is still one of the best coaches in the NBA, so I will not be counting them out. I won’t be surprised at all if they can sneak into the playoffs and get that 8 seed.
Chicago Bulls (Record 39-43)
The Bulls have had a very interesting season. They started it with higher expectations but then sold at the trade deadline. They have a very great young core, and it would be cool to see them in the playoffs. If they do get in, they could give Cleveland 6 games at best. One hot take I have is the winner of the Bulls and Heat will get into the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks (Record 40-42)
The Hawks had another mediocre and disappointing season, finishing under .500. They’ll have 2 chances to get in the playoffs being the 8 seed, though. Trae Young has had limited help all year, but shooting guard Dyson Daniels has thrived in his first year as a Hawk. I think the Hawks will give the Magic a tough game, and if Trae Young gets in a rhythm, they could easily be in a good position to win that game.
Orlando Magic (Record 41-41)
The Orlando Magic may have had a disappointing season, but they still are the 7 seed and have a solid chance to get back to the playoffs once again. Defensively the Magic are one of the best in the league; it’s just the offense that slows them down. If they are hitting their 3’s, they can beat anyone; if not, they can lose to anyone. If some inconsistency occurs, they may not even make the playoffs, but we will find that out later this week.
Detroit Pistons (Record 44-38)
The Pistons have had arguably the greatest turnaround in NBA history. Led by star point guard Cade Cunningham and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit plays with a tough identity and can be hard to beat. The Pistons are a team that can give anyone they go up against a tough fight, especially the New York Knicks, who they played very well against in the regular season.
Milwaukee Bucks (Record 48-34)
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads this Bucks squad, and they are a very sneaky team. The Bucks ended the season on an 8-game win streak, and Damian Lillard is getting much closer to a return. Whether or not Dame returns in the 1st round, Giannis should have his way against the Pacers, a team that can be very weak defensively. Giannis is 100% healthy and ready to go, and if he can stay that way, a championship is the ceiling for the Bucks.
Indiana Pacers (Record 50-32)
The Pacers got off to a very rocky start this year at 10-15. Since then they have been a very good team. This same team made the ECF last season and very well could once again. The winner of the Bucks-Pacers series could be set for a deep run this spring.
New York Knicks (Record 51-31)
The Knicks have had an odd year. They had 51 wins, which is pretty good, no question, but it’s the record against the top teams that is very disappointing. The Knicks finished at 0-10 against OKC, Boston, and the Cavaliers, the 3 best teams in the NBA record-wise. No question the Knicks have the talent to get to the NBA Finals, but going 0-10 against those teams makes it very unlikely.
Boston Celtics (Record 61-21)
The Celtics put together another solid season. The defending champions will look to be the first team to repeat in nearly 10 years, and they have solid odds. This Celtics team compared to last season is much more beatable, and obviously fatigue could be an issue as we get into May and June. Boston has the ability to win Title 19 but has some questions heading into the postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers (Record 64-18)
Kenny Atkinson has his team playing elite basketball, and the Eastern Conference will run through Cleveland. The Cavaliers these past 2 seasons have just really shown that they are a great organization. Winning a championship in 2016 being competitive for years with LeBron James and then properly rebuilding and being right back to championship contention. Expect Cleveland to play with a lot of toughness and energy this postseason.
The Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks (Record 39-43)
Not much to say about the Mavericks that hasn’t been said; they are just simply a mess right now. Although I will say with Anthony Davis, they do have a chance to make the playoffs. Even if they were to get that 8 seed Expect OKC to sweep them. Not much to be excited for with Kyrie out, the fanbase lost, and who knows how that locker room is. The Mavericks just need this season to be over and hope the Lakers have an early postseason exit.
Sacramento Kings (Record 40-42)
With the Mavericks being such a mess, the Kings haven’t been talked about as much as they should. This roster at the beginning of the year had a lot of potential to get a top 5 seed but then fired Coach Mike Brown and traded away De’Aaron Fox at the deadline. This team is now just a different formation of the Chicago Bulls and what they were the past 3 seasons. The Kings probably won’t make the playoffs, and even if they did, they wouldn’t make noise.
Memphis Grizzlies (Record 48-34)
The Grizzlies are another mess in the West. Firing head coach Taylor Jenkins with about less than 10 games into the season wasn't ideal. Also, Ja Morant continuing to act against the NBA rules isn't ideal. The Grizzlies should be able to get the 8th seed and go up against OKC. They have the talent to play with the Thunder, no question, but with a new head coach, Tuomas Lisalo, it will make that a lot harder. The playoffs for the Grizzlies will be a great opportunity for Memphis players and coach Tuomas Lisalo to prove themselves.
Golden State Warriors (Record 48-34)
The Warriors have been playing elite basketball since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They just had to be the odd one out in the West and be one of the teams that ended up in the play-in. Being in the play-in isn't bad at all, though, because if they can beat Memphis, they will go up against the Houston Rockets, a team that is not experienced. Even if they lost to Memphis and ended up getting the 8 seed to play OKC, I would not count them out whatsoever. With Stephen Curry, a championship is possible, and if Jimmy Butler can play like he has in the past during the playoffs, they can beat anyone.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Record 49-33)
The Timberwolves had an interesting season. From trading KAT before the season started to a slow 8-10 start, they have had a lot of bumps in the road to get past. Anthony Edwards is playing the best basketball of his career and has some solid depth around him. If Julius Randle can play great basketball, Minnesota could have a solid chance to upset the Lakers in the first round and make a deep run. This postseason is a very good chance for Anthony Edwards to prove himself as one of the best players in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers (Record 50-32)
Tyronn Lue has done one of the best jobs in the NBA this season. The Clippers lost a few key pieces this offseason, and Kawhi Leonard's health was a big question. The Clippers played solid basketball all year with or without Kawhi, and this past Sunday showed what a healthy Kawhi Leonard and James Harden can do. The series against the Nuggets is a very solid matchup, especially with Denver having plenty of questions right now.
Denver Nuggets (Record 50-32)
The Nuggets shocked the basketball world by firing Mike Malone earlier this month and will have a lot of questions heading into the playoffs. The Nuggets are a team that could sweep the Clippers or even get swept by them. Jokic does not count the Nuggets out fully, as he proved what he could do a couple of seasons ago by making a run and winning the NBA Championship.
Los Angeles Lakers (Record 50-32)
The Lakers were gifted Luka Dončić and now will try to rub it in Nico Harrison's face even more this postseason. The Lakers are a team that can 100% win the NBA Championship. With Luka Dončić and LeBron James, anything is possible. There will be 3 things that determine the playoffs for the Lakers. Those things are JJ Reddick, the experience Luka and LeBron have playing with each other, and the depth. The Lakers could fall in the first round or be celebrating a championship in June; time will tell.
Houston Rockets (Record 52-30)
The Rockets may not have the experience and still might be young, but they got the 2 seed, and getting a top 2 seed is something that can be very hard to do. The Rockets will have a tough opening round, whether it be against Golden State or Memphis. No one is expecting them to go on a run, but with Ime Udoka, someone who made the Finals the last time he was in the playoffs, a run is possible. Like the Lakers, the Rockets could lose in the first round or maybe even make a deep run; time will tell.
Oklahoma City Thunder (Record 68-14)
People aren't talking about how Oklahoma City was 5 games away from having the best record in NBA history. Although the Thunder may have the best record in the NBA throughout the year, they have shown weaknesses against the older and more experienced teams. A Finals appearance for the Thunder simply needs to happen, or it will be a disappointment. The Thunder have a great chance to prove themselves this postseason, whether that be in a good or bad way.
5 Teams to Watch out for as the Postseason Goes On
The Lakers
As I said, the Lakers have all the potential in the world or could fall in the 1st round. The story for the Lakers is as good as it gets: LeBron, Luka, and the trade in January; JJ Redick in his 1st year as head coach; Austin Reaves and the improvement he has had; and just being in Los Angeles. You can go on and on about them, but they are the number 1 story this postseason and will be fun to watch this spring.
The Pistons/Cade Cunningham
The Pistons aren't just another NBA team. They are limited in talent, but the way they play basketball is rare today. They are very solid defensively and always give more effort than their opponent. Cade Cunningham is also a star in the making and will get to show that on the biggest stage in MSG. Whether the Pistons lose to the Knicks in the first round, the future is very bright for years to come.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler will have his chance to prove once again how elite he can be in the playoffs. He will need to get it done first in the play-in, but if the Warriors can get into the playoffs as the 7 seed and go up against the Rockets, realistically the Warriors should be able to handle business. A 2nd round matchup with the Lakers looms, and if that happened, it would maybe be one of the most anticipated 2nd round matchups in NBA history.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is playing elite basketball right now and is healthy, unlike the last 2 postseasons. If Damian Lillard can come back at some point, people are sleeping in Milwaukee. Giannis has gotten it done before and very well could once again. He will be excited and ready to go this weekend.
Kawhi Leonard/James Harden
The Clippers are flying under everyone's radar and have a very winnable 1st round matchup against Denver. Jokic won't make it easy, but other than him, this Nuggets squad just isn't the same as the one 2 years ago that won a championship. If Kawhi and Harden can stay healthy along with Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, who are having the best years of their careers, a championship is realistic.
Final NBA Playoff Predictions
Eastern Conference
Play-In Tournament
9 Chicago Bulls vs. 10 Miami Heat
This one will be very interesting, but simply the Miami Heat have had a mess of a season, and it will end in Chicago. The Bulls young core gets a big win and moves to 1 game away from the playoffs.
Bulls Over Heat
7 Orlando Magic vs. 8 Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have had a better season than last year, and the Magic have only gotten worse from last season. I expect Trae Young to have a huge game and show that he still is one of the better point guards in the NBA.
Hawks Over Magic
7 Magic Vs 9 Bulls
The Bulls have been playing with house money since the deadline, and it has them playing solid basketball. Like I said about the Magic, this has not been a good season, and I see it ending horribly with a home loss against the Bulls. The Bulls sneak into the playoffs and become Play-In Champions of the East.
Bulls Over Magic
Eastern Conference Playoffs
1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8 Chicago Bulls
Expect the Bulls young core to continue to play elite basketball and steal a game or two against the Cavaliers. However, that will be all. This Cavaliers team has been nearly perfect all year and will get to the Eastern Conference Semis back-to-back years.
Cavaliers in 6 (4-2)
2 Boston Celtics vs. 7 Atlanta Hawks
The Boston Celtics are looking to repeat and will have a solid chance to do so. However, Trae Young has had a very underrated season, and I expect him to prove himself in this series. The Hawks push this series to 7 games and give it all they've got, but the Celtics are just too much.
Celtics in 7 (4-3)
3 New York Knicks vs. 6 Detroit Pistons
The Pistons very well could have the best player on the court for this series, but other than Cade, they are just so outmatched from a talent standpoint. The Pistons can play in this series but will not be able to win it. Pistons push it to 7, but Jalen Brunson and KAT end up being too much for the Pistons to handle.
Knicks in 7 (4-3)
4 Pacers vs. 5 Bucks
This could be a series that can go both ways. Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing elite basketball right now, and it's going to be hard for Indiana to slow him down. Expect the Bucks to get some nice revenge and just outwork the Pacers. Also, Damian Lillard could return later in this series, but even if not, Giannis shows the world that he still is one of the best players, if not the best.
Bucks in 6 (4-2)
Second Round
1 Cavaliers vs. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks will more likely have Damian Lillard back in this series, and that will be huge. Expect the Cleveland big men to be limited by Giannis, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez. The Cleveland Guards will need to be the ones who step up; they can, but I don’t see it happening. The Bucks get back to the ECF for the first time since 2021.
Bucks in 6 (4-2)
2 Boston Celtics vs. 3 New York Knicks
The Knicks couldn’t beat the Celtics in the regular season, so I don’t expect them to in the postseason. It would be cool to see the Knicks win and get over that hump, but that just won’t happen. The Celtics Fatigue from playing 7 games in the first round will allow the Knicks to get a couple of games, but that’s it.
Celtics in 6 (4-2)
ECF
The Milwaukee Bucks at this point would be at the peak of a run, and the Boston Celtics would just be in the ECF again, usually where they start their season every year. The fatigue for Boston could be a major issue. This is the series where Giannis shows what he is; he dominates Boston. Kyle Kuzma also plays very solidly and solidifies himself as the 3rd scoring option. This opportunity for Milwaukee just means more than it would for the Celtics. The Bucks win this series, and the talk about Doc Rivers, Giannis, and Damian Lillard ends; they prove what they can be.
Bucks in 6 (4-2)
Western Conference
Play-In Tournament
10 Mavericks vs. 9 Kings
The Kings have had a very disappointing year, and it will end Dallas will shock some people and go on the road despite all the noise and get a big win to move closer to the playoffs.
Mavericks Over Kings
7 Warriors vs. 8 Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been a mess, and Golden State is playing solid basketball. With home-court advantage and simply being the better team, I expect them to show that and dominate the Grizzlies and solidify that 7 seed.
Warriors over Grizzlies
8 Grizzlies vs. 10 Mavericks
The Mavericks will show how much of a mess they are, they will lose to the Grizzlies and miss the playoffs. Even though the Grizzlies may be a mess, they are not in as bad of a situation as Dallas is. The Grizzlies will head to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder.
Grizzlies over Mavericks
Western Conference Playoffs
1 Thunder vs. 8 Grizzlies
The Thunder have been a perfect team this season, and the Grizzlies will not change that. Memphis has the talent to win a game or two, but that will be it, and major changes will loom this offseason.
Thunder in 5 (4-1)
2 Rockets vs. 7 Warriors
This one would be fun: a rising young team vs. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. The Rockets would be able to play with the Warriors, but I see something similar to the 2023 Kings series; the Rockets just won’t have enough.
Warriors in 7 (4-3)
3 Lakers vs. 6 Timberwolves
This is a series that could go either way. LeBron and Luka have been playing solid, but Anthony Edwards also has been. I expect another tough series, and the Lakers grind it out.
Lakers in 7 (4-3)
4 Nuggets vs. 5 Clippers
This is a series where the Nuggets could get swept or the Clippers could; it’s hard to tell. The Clippers have been playing elite basketball while Denver has been in a bit of a mess. I like the Clippers to win this series with ease, but who knows what can happen
Clippers in 5 (4-1)
Second Round
1 Thunder vs. 5 Clippers
This would be a fun series, no question. The Clippers would run into a nearly perfect team, so it just simply will be hard for them to win it. I think the Clippers have the ability to win this series, and if James Harden and Kawhi show what they still are, they will beat a young Thunder team and shock the world.
Clippers in 7 (4-3)
3 Lakers vs. 7 Warriors
This would be another elite series and potentially the last LeBron and Curry postseason duel. The Lakers got the best of the Warriors in the last playoff series, but now Golden State has Jimmy Butler, and the Lakers have Luka. Expect a classic, tough series, but playoff Jimmy shows up big.
Warriors in 6 (4-2)
WCF
5 Clippers vs. 7 Warriors
A fun California WCF matchup with 2 bottom 5 seeds playing elite basketball. This will be a big one for the Clippers, having home-court advantage in their new arena. Simply, Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr know how to handle business, and James Harden and the Clippers may get caught in the moment.
Warriors in 5 (4-1)
NBA Finals
5 Bucks vs. 7 Warriors
Giannis looks to get his 2nd, and the Warriors look to rebuild their dynasty once again. Either Damian Lillard or Jimmy Butler will get a ring and cement themselves as a winner. It’s just hard to go against Stephen Curry and what he and the Warriors do. Warriors win the series. Stephen Curry explodes and cements himself as a top 3 player in NBA history. Only behind Michael Jordan and him, and LeBron is tied for 2nd at this point. Curry will show what he is capable of once again this postseason and why he is a top 3 player of all time.
Whatever happens in the NBA Playoffs, it will be exciting; it always is. Expect plenty of chaos and upsets to go along with it. The pool of teams that can win a championship is much more open than people think; so many teams can win a title, and one of those teams will prove that come mid-June.
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