NBA playoffs 2025 predictions: the winner, key gamers and darkish horses

Is the common season in disaster?

Completely not. Might it stand to be slightly shorter? Positive. Do the referees have to be extra even handed with after they intervene? I’d argue they do. However the actual drawback the NBA faces is, in my view, a PR one. Its loudest voices ought to spend much less time pearl-clutching and extra time celebrating. Claire de Lune

Star gamers sit, video games blur collectively and offense is unchecked. I don’t know if I’d name it a disaster, however put it this manner: Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video didn’t pay $76bn for this product. They’re betting that will probably be fastened. The reply could be structural: tweak the foundations to revive physicality. If protection issues once more, perhaps the video games will too. Bryan Armen Graham

Properly, in case you rely rights-holding networks badmouthing the product, the league blacking out native video games and underselling on-court storylines as a disaster – then sure. When you rely the in-season event, load administration participant protocols and the countless GOAT debates as a disaster – then additionally sure. I’m not suggesting fewer video games (82 all the time felt proper); I’m suggesting everybody take them extra critically. Speaking to you, Adam Silver. Andrew Lawrence

Can I be in a disaster when my group instructions $76bn in broadcast rights charges? That unhappy, a couple of tweaks would possibly assist. Boost the in-season event by working level spreads into real-life outcomes – eg the Celtics must cowl v the Hornets to maneuver on – and awarding a conditional first-round draft decide often known as “The Emirate” to the winner. Convey worldwide play into the All-Star Weekend format and in case you should, trim three or 4 video games off the schedule. Oh, and please, please, decrease ticket costs. Thanks! David Lengel

There are a number of points with the NBA akin to an overindulgence of three-pointers, the forgettable All-Star recreation and perpetual foul-hunting. Nonetheless, the notion of a disaster is a bit overblown. The Western Convention remained extremely aggressive till the ultimate day of the season, the playoffs function a mixture of All-NBA veterans and rising younger stars, and the NBA’s primetime viewership is up double digits from final season. There may be house for enchancment, however the league is way from being in disaster. AR Shaw

Group that will likely be most missed from the playoffs

It’s a disgrace that Kevin Durant, some of the expert scorers this recreation has ever seen, isn’t going to make a lot as a play-in-tournament look this yr. To say the Phoenix Suns have been a disappointment is a woeful understatement, nevertheless it’s much less the workforce I’ll be lacking and extra the inimitable presence of the Slim Reaper. CDL

The Suns. Say what you’ll about their flaws, however that they had three of the NBA’s greatest shot-makers in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and nonetheless couldn’t make it work. A brutal cap sheet and murky future means this might need been their final actual shot. BAG

Can I be egocentric and say the Chicago Bulls? For the primary time since their ethereal first-half marketing campaign to the 2021-22 season, the Bulls have been genuinely enjoyable to look at – and the lifetime of the social gathering has been Josh Giddey, the triple-double risk who harks to the times when a wholesome Lonzo Ball was main the break. He confirmed sufficient to earn a long-term extension and one other operating mate to assist get Chicago into the play-in stage. AL

The workforce or the gamers? I’m already lacking KD and his band of grumpy, actually upset Suns, and naturally, we’re all praying to the god of your selection that Victor Wembanyama will likely be again subsequent season. General, the Philadelphia 76ers mess is all the time comply with, and I feel we’ll all miss the day-to-day drama Joel Embiid and pals carry to the primary spherical of the playoffs. DL

The San Antonio Spurs. The debut of “Playoff Wemby” gave the impression to be a risk after the Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox earlier than the commerce deadline. However season-ending accidents to Wembanyama and Fox spoiled San Antonio’s playoff hopes. The mixture of Wembanyama, Fox, the savvy veteran Chris Paul and rookie sensation Stephon Fortress would have created havoc within the postseason. With higher well being, we are able to anticipate the Spurs to do harm in subsequent yr’s playoffs. ARS

Excessive seed susceptible to going out early

Vegas doesn’t have loads of religion in second seeded-Houston within the playoffs, and neither do I. It’s commendable (hat tip to move coach Ime Udoka) that a super-young Rockets workforce had been capable of go from lacking the play-in event final yr to ending this yr because the No 2 seed, however an unproven, youth-heavy, offensively challenged roster will doubtless get uncovered of their first postseason outing. CDL

The Cleveland Cavaliers have depth, construction and a glowing report, however playoff basketball is a special beast. Darius Garland has shrunk from the second earlier than, Evan Mobley stays a piece in progress on offense and Donovan Mitchell can’t carry the load alone. If the tempo dips and the pictures cease falling, this slick machine may unravel quick – particularly in opposition to a battle-tested opponent. BAG

The New York Knicks, who blew a 28-point lead whereas dropping to the top-seeded Cavaliers final Saturday to fall to 0-10 in opposition to top-three NBA groups. Level guard Jalen Brunson is considered one of a lot of their key gamers coping with accidents – none of which could be blamed on Tom Thibodeau’s withering instruction anymore, apparently. All of this units them up poorly for his or her matchup in opposition to the resurgent Pistons and Cade Cunningham, a Knick-killer within the making. (He averaged higher than 30 factors, eight assists and 5 boards in opposition to them.) AL

Isn’t that the Knicks? Their fanbase definitely thinks so. A yr in the past New York had been the out-hustle, out-muscle workforce that wished it greater than you. At the moment, they’re a elaborate score-at-will aspect minus the edgy intangibles their followers lauded. Coincidentally, their opponents from Detroit have develop into the NBA’s latest junkyard canines, prepared to tear by way of the softened flesh of their now-bougie competitors. Knicks followers can solely hope the Pistons aren’t fairly prepared to drag it off. DL

The Rockets. Coach Ime Udoka did the surprising by main the Rockets to the No 2 seed within the rigorous Western Convention. However attaining the second-best report within the West seems to be a pyrrhic victory as Houston are underdogs in opposition to the Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler-led Golden State Warriors. The scrappy Rockets will make every recreation uncomfortable for the extra playoff-experienced Warriors, however anticipate an early exit for Houston’s youth motion. ARS

Lengthy shot to win

Two of the best playoff performers of their technology at the moment are on the identical workforce. I refuse to rely out Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and the Warriors. They’ve a high-level protection, loads of perimeter athleticism, and two guys who, on any given evening, have an opportunity of being the most effective participant on the ground. That appears like a dark-horse contender to me. CDL

The Warriors. They began the season a scorching mess. However since buying Jimmy Butler, they’ve been rolling. Steph remains to be Steph, Draymond Inexperienced is locking up once more and their protection has quietly surged. With championship DNA and a renewed edge, they’re peaking on the good time. BAG

It’s bizarre to name a workforce that has Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell and Ty Lue on the sideline a darkish horse. However so it goes when that workforce is the Los Angeles Clippers. Whereas the Lakers and the Warriors helped the fairytale championship narrative with their blockbuster mid-season trades, the Clippers have been stable, regular and Leonard is trying just like the Leonard of outdated .This could possibly be their yr. AL

The Clippers are a scorching scorching No 5 seed who went 18-3 with eight straight wins to complete the common season. That included a dramatic time beyond regulation victory at Golden State of their 82nd recreation to keep away from the dreaded play-in. That’s mojo and that’s LA when Kawhi Leonard reveals up, laces up and performs basketball. Now, if James Harden really carries his regular-season skillset into the playoffs, these Clips may really crack the colourful western cohort and sail into the finals. DL

The Clippers. Ending the season with an 18-3 report, the Clippers are essentially the most feared workforce heading into the playoffs. Whereas LeBron James and Luka Dončić are the extra celebrated NBA stars in Tinseltown, the Clippers have embraced the underdog position and are a darkish horse to alter the narrative with a Hollywood ending within the NBA finals. ARS

Most vital participant this postseason

It’s uncommon that the participant upon which the pendulum swings is similar in two consecutive years, however as soon as once more, it’s Luka Dončić. I see the Lakers as having simply pretty much as good of an opportunity as anybody to win the title this yr. However as evidenced by the Lakers’ latest duel with the Warriors, when he isn’t firing on all cylinders, that likelihood diminishes exponentially. Los Angeles want Dončić to be a top-tier celebrity for 4 rounds to hoist the trophy. CDL

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an MVP candidate all yr. Now comes the actual take a look at. OKC are deep, disciplined and harmful, however their ceiling is dependent upon SGA’s means to create in crunch time. If he owns the second, the Thunder may fast-track their rise from rebuild to finals. BAG

After the Jimmy Butler commerce, the Warriors went from Cancun-bound after the common season to title contenders as soon as once more. Extra than simply the most effective operating mate Curry has had since Kevin Durant, Butler can carry the offensive load when Curry’s off the ground and take over video games defensively. How the Warriors ever acquired away with him nonetheless boggles the mind. AL

After dominating the common season with a 68-14 report, Oklahoma Metropolis enter a postseason the place something in need of a championships could be a disappointment. All of it rests on the extensive Canadian shoulders of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As the top of the snake and the odds-on MVP favourite, SGA is solely chargeable for delivering the {hardware} to OKC. And it’s a good quantity of strain, particularly after the Thunder had been ousted final season by Luka’s Mavericks within the West semis. DL

LeBron James will likely be an important participant within the postseason till he retires. James is just not solely competing in opposition to present NBA gamers, he receives essentially the most reward and mock when in comparison with his Corridor of Fame predecessors. Win or lose, James would be the most mentioned participant within the low season. If he captures one other title at 40, it provides to the lore and endless debate over who’s the best basketball participant of all time. ARS

Jap Convention finals

Celtics over Cavaliers CDL

Celtics over Pacers BAG

Celtics over Cavaliers AL

Celtics over Pacers DL

Celtics over Cavaliers ARS

Western Convention finals

Lakers over Thunder CDL

Thunder over Warriors BAG

Warriors over Clippers AL

Clippers over Lakers DL

Lakers over Clippers ARS

Your NBA champion will likely be …

Los Angeles Lakers. I’ll be accused of homerism for this decide, which I’m ready for. However I do know a workforce on a particular run after I see one, and the Lakers are that workforce. For Luka Dončić to get a hoop in the identical season he was unceremoniously shipped off by Dallas, for LeBron James to have an opportunity at a fifth championship earlier than he retires, is one thing I can’t see both of those generational abilities letting slip by way of their fingers. Lakers v Celtics will likely be a battle for the ages, and it’s really a coin toss between the 2 in my estimation. But when the Lakers can get by way of your entire gauntlet that awaits them within the West, I merely don’t see them letting the possibility at saying “job completed” move them by. CDL

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. They’ve recorded the very best internet ranking in NBA historical past – higher than the ‘96 Bulls or KD Warriors – however nonetheless really feel oddly ignored. SGA is taking part in at an MVP degree, Jalen Williams is a rising star and Chet Holmgren shores up the center. Their elite perimeter protection, depth and cohesion make them harmful in any sequence. They might be younger, however they’re relentless, unselfish and unafraid. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a coronation in ready. BAG

Golden State Warriors. They’ve acquired the most effective shooter who ever lived, one of many recreation’s all-time defenders and the most effective end-to-end participant. Add Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ dynamite bench to the equation, and it’s robust to see the workforce dropping out on an opportunity to win their fifth championship in 10 years. And in the event that they occur to beat the Lakers alongside the best way, the GOAT debate goes into overdrive – and historical past would possibly in the end peg LeBron because the loser. AL

Boston Celtics. The wild second-half run of the Kawhi Clippers will lastly come to an finish when the clock strikes midnight in opposition to the Jap Convention titans. Even the model of Harden who reveals up for the playoffs isn’t sufficient to beat the Celtics, who overcome Jaylen Brown’s bum knee to oust the Clippers in seven. That’s as a result of a wholesome Kristaps Porzingis fills all voids and all baskets, propelling the dominant Jayson Tatum to swiftly avenge his Olympic benching whereas successful a second consecutive championship. DL

Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks handed the Lakers a generational present with the Luka Dončić commerce, and LA will reap the advantages in June. The commerce elevated the Lakers’ playoff possibilities from a second-round exit to legit title contenders, however the Lakers will face the hardest path to the finals with a first-round matchup in opposition to Anthony Edwards and the potential of going through Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard or main MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in later rounds. Dončić and LeBron have each carried groups to the NBA Ffnals, and collectively, they’ve the offensive capabilities to overwhelm essentially the most elite gamers and their groups. Count on the Lakers and Celtics to proceed their historic rivalry with one other showdown within the NBA finals with the Lakers because the final workforce standing. ARS