Predicting NBA playoff teams and NBA Finals 2025 winner: Where do Knicks and Lakers land in latest projections?

With the 2024-25 season underway, now is the perfect time to look into the future and take a spin at predicting the NBA playoff teams for next spring. After adding another title to their record championship haul earlier this year, teams will look to dethrone the Boston Celtics in the new season.

Before you check out our predictions for this season, take a look at our latest NBA power rankings and a rundown of the best NBA players in 2024-25. Without further ado, it’s now time to start predicting the NBA playoff teams for later this season.

Eastern Conference NBA Playoff predictions and seeds

Boston Celtics (59-23)
Cleveland Cavaliers (59-23)
New York Knicks (54-28)
Orlando Magic (48-34)
Miami Heat (46-36)
Indiana Pacers (46-36)
Atlanta Hawks (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Milwaukee Bucks (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Philadelphia 76ers (39-43) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Detroit Pistons (38-44) — NBA Play-In Tournament

The Boston Celtics are seemingly set to return the same team from their dominating performance a season ago. They took care of Jayson Tatum (largest NBA contract ever) and Derrick White with extensions. We already know reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is set to do his thing. The only question here is Kristaps Porzingis’ health. He underwent off-season leg surgery and will miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team with a lot of things to like. The big question was could Kenny Atkinson elevate them to new heights? So far so good as the Cavs are one of the best teams in the NBA to begin the year on both offense and defense.
The New York Knicks were a formidable group last season. However, this offseason the organization has gone all in on bolstering the roster for a serious title run in 2024-25. Star guard Jalen Brunson now has two-way stud Mikal Bridges with him in the backcourt and four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns as his new scoring running mate.

Also Read: 20 Worst NBA players of all-time, including Greg Oden

We’re not expecting the Orlando Magic to take a step back in 2024-25. Rather, it’s simply all about how other teams have improved big time. Following a surprise trip to the playoffs, there is a lot to like here. Forward Paolo Banchero is a true star. The addition of an underrated Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was huge. Can Orlando get more from its young backcourt? That’s a major question.
The Miami Heat are at a crossroads. Jimmy Butler will play out the final season of his contract after some trade speculation. He might be at odds with front office head Pat Riley. Outside of Butler and Bam Adebayo, there are a lot of question marks here. But with Erik Spoelstra as head coach, it’s hard to doubt Miami.
The Indiana Pacers had themselves a 47-win season in 2023-24. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge before some postseason struggles. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam returns after agreeing to a contract ahead of NBA free agency. Whether by design or not, Indiana hasn’t done much this summer. It will be relying on growth from Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Andrew Nembhard this coming season.

Related: 2024-25 NBA MVP race

Eastern Conference Play-In teams

The Atlanta Hawks have an interesting group of talent. While they don’t jump off the page, Trae Young will get a chance to be the No. 1 guy once again with Dejounte Murray out of the pitch and they have some nice young pieces. Chiefs among them is forward Jalen Johnson.
Will the Milwaukee Bucks star pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard work together? How is Doc Rivers going to do after posting a 17-19 record last season? Is the addition of Gary Trent Jr. going to be enough? What happens with Brook Lopez as trade rumors continue to swirl? The roster is in place with the Bucks. But these question marks take them out of the elite conversation in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers front office head Daryl Morey knew he needed to get a third piece with Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey. He did just that by signing future Hall of Famer Paul George outright in free agency. On paper, they have one of the best trios in the game. However, early injury woes make this a group not worthy of high hopes.
The Detroit Pistons were the worst team in basketball in 2023-24. But with a new regime running the show and JB Bickerstaff on the bench there is hope that something could be made out of a young roster that has a lot of potential. Look for Detroit to turn heads this season.

Related: 50 best NBA players of 2024

Western Conference NBA Playoff predictions

NBA Playoff predictions: Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns — Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
Golden State Warriors (54-28)
Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
Denver Nuggets (49-33)
Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)
Phoenix Suns (43-39)
Minnesota Timberwolves (43-39) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Memphis Grizzlies (41-41) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Sacramento Kings (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Houston Rockets (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament

After a brilliant 57-win season, the young Oklahoma City Thunder got better during the summer. The trade for defensive-minded guard Alex Caruso was a heist. Signing big man Isaiah Hartenstein to pair up with Chet Holmgren inside was, too. Obviously, we can’t ignore a player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander many thought should have won the NBA MVP. The continued emergence of Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace could make this squad a juggernaut in 2024-25.
The Golden State Warriors brought an end to the Big Three era this summer and charter a new path this offseason with a younger more athletic group. The Warriors have always had a smart organization and they can never be underestimated. Especially with a very deep roster.
Despite earning a trip to the NBA Finals last season, the Dallas Mavericks were left relying too much on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. General manager Nico Harrison rectified that immediately by acquiring future Hall of Fame wing Klay Thompson. Sure, he took a major step back last season. But the dude is going to get so many open shots. If the supporting cast of P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and the newly-acquired Quentin Grimes can step up, this team will be a force.

Related: 10 tallest NBA players ever

We’re not 100% sure that the Denver Nuggets are a legit NBA title contender as currently constructed. The big three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. are one thing. However, finding consistency after that following the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be an issue. It’s the second consecutive offseason that Denver has lost a key role player. But when you have the best player in the game it’s a big trump card.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the pieces to be formidable in the West. New head coach JJ Redick could turn into a major disappointment. However, with Lebron James totally buying in — since he is personal friends with Redick — and plans to feature Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, LA should surprise in 2024-25.
With Mike Budenholzer on the bench, the Phoenix Suns should be far better. Especially on defense. As long as their top players can stay healthy, there is way too much talent not for them to make the playoffs again this season.

Western Conference Play-In teams

After last season there is no denying that Anthony Edwards is one of the new faces of the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard is a legitimate superstar and has room to get even better. However, he won’t have Karl-Anthony Towns by his side this year after they shipped him off to New York before training camp started. Nevertheless, the additions of three-time All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo should keep the Wolves near the top of the West all season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are obviously a completely different team with Ja Morant in the mix. Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane doing their thing is a pleasure when all are on the court. The addition of two-time reigning national player of the year Zach Edey in the 2024 NBA Draft also changes the dynamics here and makes Memphis a dangerous squad this season.
The Sacramento Kings have a very talented trio Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, and DeMar DeRozan. They should be able to fill it up and be a problem for any team in the West. However, playing high-level defense will make or break their season.
Late last season the Houston Rockets showed their potential and expect them to take more steps further in 2024-25. They have two talented youngsters in Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun and an elite-level coach in Ime Udoka. Watch out for Houston this season.

NBA Playoff predictions: Matchups and winners

best nba players — Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference first round

1) Boston Celtics over 8) Atlanta Hawks (4-0)
5) Miami Heat over Orlando Magic (4-3)
3) New York Knicks over 6) Indian Pacers (4-2)
2) Cleveland Cavaliers over 7) Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)

Western Conference first round

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 8) Memphis Grizzlies (4-1)
4) Los Angeles Lakers over 5) Denver Nuggets (4-2)
3) Dallas Mavericks over 6) Phoenix Suns (4-3)
2) Golden State Warriors over 7) Minnesota Timberwolves (4-2)

NBA Playoff predictions: Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

1) Boston Celtics over 5) Miami Heat (4-1)
3) New York Knicks over 2) Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)

Western Conference

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 4) Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)
3) Dallas Mavericks over 2) Golden State Warriors (4-2)

NBA Playoff predictions: Conference Finals

Eastern Conference Finals

2) New York Knicks over 1) Boston Celtics over (4-3)

Western Conference Finals

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 3) Dallas Mavericks (4-2)

NBA Finals prediction: New York Knicks over Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2)

After 51 seasons of waiting, the Knicks will finally bring an NBA title back to New York next spring. The revised Villanova Three’s journey in 2024-25 will take them to the Finals and a matchup with the rising Oklahoma City Thunder dynasty. However, the Knicks will prevail in six games.