With just a couple of games left in the regular season, the line-up for the playoffs is now almost complete. It’s on to the playoffs, sports fans, time to stock up on your favorite beer and popcorn. Bring out those team pennants and player jerseys. We are days away from jumpball.
In the east, the surprising Cleveland Cavaliers (64 wins -17 losses) have taken pole position over the defending NBA champs, Boston Celtics (60-21). Also clinching outright playoff berths were: the New York Knicks (50-31), the Indiana Pacers (49-32), the MIlwaukee Bucks (47-34), and the Detroit Pistons (44-37). Taking the long route via the play-in for the last 2 slots will be the Orlando Magic (41-40), the Atlanta Hawks (39-42), the Chicago Bulls (38-43) and the Miami Heat (37-44).
Over in the west,it’s the Oklahoma Thunder (67-14) holding court, with the surprising Houston Rockets (52-29) taking the 2nd seed. Rounding the top 6 for the automatic playoff berth are the LA Lakers (50-31), the Denver Nuggets (49-32), the LA Clippers (49-32), and the Golden State Warriors (48-33). Expected to battle it out in the abbreviated play-in tourney will be the MInnesota Timberwolves (48-33), the Memphis Grizzlies (47-34), the Sacramento Kings (39-42) and the Dallas Mavericks (39-42).
The Eastern high jumpers for this year’s playoffs are the Cavs (from 4th to 1st in the east), and the Detroit Pistons (from 15th and last to 6th). For the West, the Rockets zoomed (from a non-playoff team at 11th to 2nd). The biggest disappointments were the Twolves (from 3rd to 7th); the injury-plaqued Mavs (from 5th to 10th); the Phoenix Suns (6th to 11th); and the Philadelphia 76ers (from 7th plummeting down to 13th).
My fearless forecast? I have the top-seed Cavs and the 2nd-seed Celts competing for the crown of the east, while the top-seed Thunder and the 3rd-seed Lakers eventually battle it out similarly in the west. Joining the playoff for the first time in years, I don’t see the 2nd-seed Rockets reaching the western conference finals due to its lack of playoff experience.
The Cleveland Cavs are the big surprise in my final four. The guard combo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland is elite. Plus Jarett Allen and Evan Mobley, their enforcers under the paint, have matured immensely. They are a team that’s fun to watch.
They will however be meeting a team that’s had loads of playoff experience. The defending champs, Boston Celtics, will be banking on their experience, as well as their exquisite precision beyond the 3-pt line. With their double-barrelled offense in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading the team, plus lucky-charm Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White supporting, this team has the most loaded first five in the league. The Celtics have been pacing themselves well, with their recent wins indicating that they are just reaching peak form in time for the playoffs.
The OKC Thunder have a lethal weapon in Shai Gilgeous Alexander. With Chet Holmgren now in the pink of health; Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein providing ample support, the Thunder will be a tough nut to crack. Their big improvement from last year, despite the fact that they were already top seeds last year, clearly shows that they have not been complacent and have continued to improve from last year.
Finally, the LA Lakers. Any team that has a Lebron James and a Luka Doncic on its roster should find no difficulty reaching the playoffs. This LeLu combo is definitely the strongest duo in the league, bar none. Hence, I have placed them over the Rockets.
A Celtics-Lakers Finals would be very interesting, considering the long history of head-to-head match-ups these 2 have regaled the league. However, I am more inclined to a Celtics – Thunder match-up for the 2025 NBA Finals. I see a LeLu duo fagged out by the time the playoff reach the Conference Finals. Hence, the OKC Thunder will finally be back in the NBA Finals once again.
How about you? Who you got?
Cover pic courtesy of USA Today. Other photos courtesy of Basketball Network, France 24, ESPN, CNN, AP News, Sports Illustrated, St Albert’s Gazette, and The National Herald. For a closer look, just click on the pics.
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