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

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

Before you check out our predictions for this season, take a look at our latest NBA power rankings and a rundown of the 50 best NBA players right now. Without further ado, let’s start predicting the NBA playoff teams for the 2025 postseason.

Eastern Conference NBA Playoff predictions and seeds

Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21)
Boston Celtics (58-24)
New York Knicks (56-26)
Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)
Indiana Pacers (49-33)
Orlando Magic (43-39)
Detroit Pistons (42-40) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Atlanta Hawks (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Miami Heat (39-43) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Philadelphia 76ers (37-45) — NBA Play-In Tournament

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are a team with a lot of things to like. The big question entering the season was could Kenny Atkinson elevate them to new heights? He has done exactly that as they still have a strong defense combined with an elite offense in 2025.
The Boston Celtics have not been as dominant as they were last season. However, the regular season very much seems like a dress rehearsal to make sure all their key players stay healthy and they peak just in time for the NBA playoffs.
The New York Knicks were a formidable group last season. However, in the offseason, the organization went all in on bolstering the roster for a serious title run. Thus far the results have been very positive and the team features a pair of All-Stars this season.

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Many wondered if the Milwaukee Bucks’ star pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard could work. After getting off off to an awful start it seemed like they couldn’t. However, the Emirates Cup winners are rolling and will be a problem in the playoffs if healthy.
The Indiana Pacers looked like a shell of themselves over the first few months. However, the group has battled out of their surprising slump and has returned to being an elite team in the East led by a very good offense.
The Orlando Magic are a very likable young team led by a pair of stars on the rise. However, they have been severely hampered by major injuries this season. Nevertheless, they have an elite defense and are a tough out for any team.

Eastern Conference Play-In teams

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, they have been one of the NBA’s best stories. Led by first-time All-Star Cade Cunningham, Detroit is a fun club on the rise.
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the best-scoring teams in basketball. Trae Young has had a fantastic season as the undisputed face of the team and they are a handful every night. Unfortunately, their terrible defense is a major weakness.
The Miami Heat have been held back all season by the exhausting Jimmy Butler drama. However, the dark cloud is finally gone and they can move forward drama-free. While they are not a better team without him, you can never underestimate an Erik Spoelstra-coached team.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been a disaster this season. Expensive fee agent addition Paul George and top star Joel Embiid have once again been bit by the injury bug. And the Sixers have suffered for it. Fortunately, Tyrese Maxey has been great this season and has evolved into the new face of the team.

Related: 50 best NBA players of 2024

Western Conference NBA Playoff predictions

Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18)
Denver Nuggets (55-27)
Memphis Grizzlies (54-28)
Houston Rockets (52-29)
Los Angeles Lakers (48-35)
Los Angeles Clippers (47-36)
Minnesota Timberwolves (45-38) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Dallas Mavericks (43-39) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Golden State Warriors (42-40) — NBA Play-In Tournament
Sacramento Kings (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament

After a brilliant 57-win season, the Oklahoma City Thunder got better during the summer. The moves they made have proven to be a stroke of genius and it is why they have had one of the top records in the league throughout their campaign. They are a heavy favorite to reach the Finals this spring.
When you have the best player on the planet you will always be a very competitive team. While this has not been a vintage Denver Nuggets team, just like last year they have overcome early bumps in the road and seem to be finishing strong.
The Memphis Grizzlies are a completely different team with Ja Morant in the mix. With their top star back and his head on straight, the Grizzlies have returned to be an elite squad in the West and will be a force in this year’s postseason.

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The Houston Rockets have continued the momentum they built late last season and evolved into one of the better teams out west. They have a pair of young stars leading the way and a proven coach in Ime Udoka. The NBA playoffs will prove how far along their development is.
The Los Angeles Lakers have played better than many expected under first-time head coach JJ Redick. However, they shook things up in a massive way when they shipped off Anthony Davis and acquired Luka Doncic. How he and LeBron James form chemistry will be key for LA in the second half.
The Los Angeles Clippers have quietly had another good season. But it’s the same story for this older and oft-injured squad. If they can stay healthy they are a problem, but staying healthy has been their biggest problem.

Western Conference Play-In teams

Unfortunately for the Minnesota Timberwolves, trading homegrown star Karl-Anthony Towns has backfired and the team has underperformed in 2024-25. Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards is an elite star and gives them a chance to advance in the early rounds of the playoffs.
The Dallas Mavericks stunned the NBA world when they traded Luka Doncic this season. On paper, they have a very nice veteran squad that can play really good defense. But their reliance on a pair of All-Stars –Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving — that are often hurt is a big risk.
The Golden State Warriors brought an end to the Big Three era this summer and they unsurprisingly have struggled mightily. However, they are hoping the late-season addition of future Hall-of-Famer Jimmy Butler is the tonic that returns them to being a contender this spring.
The Sacramento Kings have gone through a lot this season. They added DeMar DeRozan. Fired Mike Brown, traded De’Aaron Fox, and added Zach LaVine. They should make the playoffs but they won’t go far in deep Western Conference.

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NBA Playoff predictions: Matchups and winners

Eastern Conference first round

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

Western Conference first round

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 8) Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1)
5) Los Angeles Lakers over 4) Houston Rockets (4-2)
3) Memphis Grizzlies over 6) Los Angeles Clippers (4-2)
2) Denver Nuggets over 7) Dallas Mavericks (4-3)

NBA Playoff Predictions: Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

4) Milwaukee Bucks over 1) Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2)
2) Boston Celtics over 3) New York Knicks (4-2)

Western Conference

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 5) Los Angeles Lakers (4-2)
2) Denver Nuggets over 3) Memphis Grizzlies (4-2)

NBA Playoff Predictions: Conference Finals

Eastern Conference Finals

2) Boston Celtics over 4) Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)

Western Conference Finals

1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 3) Denver Nuggets (4-2)

NBA Finals prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder over Boston Celtics (4-2)

The 2025 NBA playoffs will be when the basketball world realizes just how talented the Oklahoma City Thunder are. They have a great defense, an MVP candidate, and a deep roster filled with tough and talented players. While it won’t be easy, look for them to stop the Boston Celtics from repeating this year and bring OKC their first NBA title.