NBA Playoffs are here, and so are our wild guesses on how they will end. Let’s break down mine. Feel free to comment on it and share yours in the comments!

1st Round

Thunder vs. Grizzlies – Pretty easy decision, after watching the first two games I’ll give an emphatic 4-0 to the Thunder. Grizzlies don’t stand a chance even with SGA having a bad game.

Nuggets vs. Clippers – This one is definitely the toughest. If Kawhi and the Clippers play as they did in the 2nd game, they will give a huge fight to the Nuggets. Just because I don’t trust Porter Jr, Westbrook and maybe Murray to be as consistent, 3-4 for the Clippers.

Lakers vs. Wolves – It’s impossible to visualize Luka & LeBron out of the playoffs in the first round. But it’s hard to imagine not having Edwards in other rounds too. Lakers in 6, 4-2. I hope this series goes to a game 7.

Rockets vs. Warriors – With Jimmy Butler’s uncertain state after his pelvic injury, the Rockets have an opportunity to get in front of this series now that they are 1-1. The Warriors will win one more game but the Rockets will advance to the second round. Kuminga can’t replace Butler. 4-2 for the Rockets.

2nd Round

Thunder vs. Clippers – The Thunder have to make the NBA Finals. I’ve said it. They must do it. With Jalen Williams available to defend Kawhi, all the bodies that can be thrown to Harden and their bench depth… Oklahoma will take the win 4-2 and advance to the Conference Finals.

Lakers vs. Rockets – The experience by the Lakers should bright in these series. I’m just following my guts at this moment. Lakers will take the win 4-1 and face the Thunder in the Conference Finals. Lakers vs. Warriors would have been a competitive series, but without Jimmy Butler it will be easy for the Lakers.

Conference Finals

Thunder vs. Lakers – 1 game for the Lakers and that’s it for their season. Thunder win 4-1 and advance to the NBA Finals. The OKC team is too much for the Lakers. They have Holmgren + Hartenstein versus Hayes + Len… JDub defending Doncic, SGA defending whoever and attacking freely from any distance… Should I keep going? Maybe I’m too generous giving that game to the Lakers. We’ll see.

1st Round

Cavs vs. Heat – After the first two games, the Cavs seem to be clearly dominant in these series. The Heat might compete some of the games but I see the Cavs quickly advancing 4-0 to the next round. They are playing great and can’t seem to stop. Great starting 5 for them and also great bench contribution in the rest minutes for the starters.

Pacers vs. Bucks – This is probably my biggest guess. Pacers in 5, 4-1. At the beginning of the series I felt the Bucks could give a bigger fight here – and they probably will in the next games – but I don’t trust them.
Game 1, Giannis playing well without Lillard -> defeat. Game 2, Lillard comes back, plays 37 minutes -> defeat. And the Pacers just keep playing well.

Knicks vs. Pistons – At this moment I just feel the Eastern Conference bracket will be the biggest bust of my career. Yes, the Knicks are a better team. Yes, they will probably advance. Yes, they will improve throughout the series. Pistons win 2-4. I love this Pistons team, and they didn’t play well the second game and still won. Let’s see how everything goes tonight.

Celtics vs. Magic – Finally an easy one again. 4-0 for the Celtics unless they rest all their starters to make the next games more competitive. Only 1% selected the Magic to win these series in the official bracket challenge.

2nd Round

Cavs vs. Pacers – The Pacers handed the Cavs 3 out of their 18 losses this season. But the Playoffs are different. The Cavs will arrive full rested and ready to this series. And it’s their time. They will prove to be more consistent, but the Pacers will still fight it. Cavs will take a 4-2 win over the Pacers and advance to the Conference Finals. Not this year, Indiana.

Pistons vs. Celtics – Enough with the Pistons hype. This series will just give them more motivation to improve next year and try to make a deeper playoff run. And I hope they do. But this year, facing the Celtics is a whole different story. They might take a game or even two, but my guess is that Celtics win in 5, 4-1, while the Cavs are waiting for them. Is a 4-0 that crazy? I don’t even think so at this point.

Conference Finals

Cavs vs. Celtics – Maybe next year Cavs, but if the Celtics make a healthy run this playoffs they are unstoppable. Their last two consecutive championships were in 1968 and 1969, but they have proven to be a solid team that could end that drought. Now. Hopefully next year the Cavs improve and we see them as a different team, but this 2025 the Celtics will take the win 2-4, celebrating the win in the Garden.

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Thunder vs. Celtics – It’s safe to say everyone wants to see this final. Without injuries, a huge face to face between two of the best teams this season.

They are the two – don’t kill me Cavs fans – most complete teams. They have an amazing superstar in SGA and Tatum, great big men -Hartenstein, Holmgren, Porzingis, Horford – deep benches and the last Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown versus the other possible Finals MVP, Jalen Williams.

2-0 for OKC this year. One of them without JDub and the other without Holmgren. The Celtics didn’t have Porzingis in one of the games. But in any case, they will adapt better to what OKC has to offer in the Finals.

Celtics win in 6, 2-4 and get back-to-back NBA Championships. Probably their last in some years, but they will get it and that’s what matters.

P.D. Game 1 total points will be 199, mark my words.

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Who’s your NBA champion this 2024/25 season?

Here’s my full bracket: