The 2023-24 NBA season is now a thing of the past. With it comes our NBA Playoff predictions for the upcoming season, starting with the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Obviously, teams are seeking to dethrone what was a dominant Boston Celtics squad a season ago. The Dallas Mavericks improved by adding Klay Thompson to the mix after losing to Boston in the NBA Finals. Other teams will be in the mix, including the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and a Philadelphia 76ers squad that added Paul George.
Below, we give you our NBA playoff predictions for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Eastern Conference NBA Playoff predictions and seeds
- Boston Celtics (61-21)
- New York Knicks (57-25)
- Philadelphia 76ers (54-28)
- Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)
- Indiana Pacers (46-36)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (45-37)
- Orlando Magic (45-37) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Miami Heat (42-40) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Toronto Raptors (41-41) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Charlotte Hornets (33-49) — 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 offseason leg surgery and will miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
- Simply by adding Mikal Bridges to the mix, the New York Knicks improved as much as any team in the NBA. They won 50 games a season ago before injuries deflated the roster in the NBA Playoffs. Jalen Brunson agreed to a team-friendly contract extension after an amazing postseason run. The only real questions here are what happens with All-Star forward Julius Randle and the center position after Isaiah Hartenstein departed in NBA free agency.
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- 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. That’s one of the best trios in the game. Additions of veterans such as Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon fill out what was a depleted bench. While the back end of Philadelphia’s rotation remains questionable, the star talent is here.
- 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.
- 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.
- Donovan Mitchell will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers after signing an extension. At this point, fellow All-Star guard Darius Garland is set to return. This was previously a debatable scenario. There is also a question about fit. The same can be said in the frontcourt with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland is banking on new head coach Kenny Atkinson getting the most out of this roster following the surprising firing of J.B. Bickerstaff.
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Eastern Conference Play-In teams
- 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. Chief among them is the obvious. Will Riley finally pull off that blockbuster trade he’s been eyeing for some time?
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- The Toronto Raptors improved by trading OG Anunoby last season. R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are going to be cornerstones moving forward. Recently extended Scottie Barnes is the face of the franchise up north. The question here is whether all of these pieces will come together in time for next season.
- We had to put a team at No. 10 in our NBA Playoff predictions back east. By default, it’s going to be the Charlotte Hornets. They’ll continue to rely on LaMelo Ball despite his injury issues. Forward Miles Bridges returning helps, too.
Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament picks: Magic over Heat – Raptors over Hornets – Raptors over Heat
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Western Conference NBA Playoff predictions
- Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (54-28)
- Dallas Mavericks (52-30)
- Denver Nuggets (48-34)
- Phoenix Suns (47-35)
- Sacramento Kings (44-38)
- New Orleans Pelicans (43-39) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Memphis Grizzlies (41-41) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Houston Rockets (41-41) — NBA Play-In Tournament
- Los Angeles Lakers (39-43) — 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.
- We can throw out the Minnesota Timberwolves trading Karl-Anthony Towns after a 56-win season. He’s part of the core three with rising star Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. Front office head Tim Connelly also did some extraordinary work by trading for rookie guard Rob Dillingham in the top-10 of the 2024 NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is expected to play a major role in his first season. The addition of Joe Ingles will also help a supporting cast that already includes Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
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- 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.
- 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. is one thing. But 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. No, Russell Westbrook would not change that.
- Frank Vogel is out. Mike Budenholzer is in. If nothing else, the Phoenix Suns’ coaching situation improved this offseason. The larger question is rather obvious. Can Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beall all remain healthy? That was not the case in their first full season together. It resulted in a first-round sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs.
- The Sacramento Kings improved this summer simply by acquiring future Hall of Famer DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade. He’s a 20-point scorer and consistent shot maker. We know what De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis bring to the table, too. Sacramento’s ability to contend after losing in the NBA Play-In Tournament could very well depend on how much Keegan Murray improves at forward after it lost Harrison Barnes.
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Western Conference Play-In teams
- The New Orleans Pelicans positioning in our NBA Playoff predictions is complicated by the future of Brandon Ingram. What we do know is that they improved big time by pulling off a blockbuster trade for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. He’ll team up well with C.J. McCollum in the backcourt. As always, the overriding concern is Zion Williamson’s health.
- Ja Morant. Ja Morant. More Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies are obviously a completely different team with him 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.
- The Houston Rockets posting an identical record as last season? Doesn’t make any sense. That’s until we realize just how stacked the Western Conference is. There is a lot to like about this up-and-coming squad. Rookie Reed Sheppard looks like an absolute keeper. If he can perform well out of the gate, Houston’s standing in our NBA Playoff predictions changes.
- No, the Los Angeles Lakers are not better than last season. The hiring of JJ Redick is … interesting. They have also yet to add outside veteran to a top-heavy roster. But we’re still talking LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Also, someone had to take the 10th spot out west.
Western Conference Play-In Tournament picks: Pelicans over Grizzlies – Rockets over Lakers – Rockets over Grizzlies
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NBA Playoff predictions: Matchups and winners
Eastern Conference first round
- 1) Boston Celtics over 8) Toronto Raptors (4-0)
- 4) Milwaukee Bucks over 5) Indiana Pacers (4-3)
- 3) Philadelphia 76ers over 6) Cleveland Cavaliers (4-1)
- 2) New York Knicks over 7) Orlando Magic (4-1)
Western Conference first round
- 1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 8) Houston Rockets (4-1)
- 5) Phoenix Suns over 4) Denver Nuggets (4-3)
- 3) Dallas Mavericks over 6) Sacramento Kings (4-2)
- 2) Minnesota Timberwolves over 7) New Orleans Pelicans (4-1)
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NBA Playoff predictions: Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
- 1) Boston Celtics over 4) Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
- 2) New York Knicks over 3) Philadelphia 76ers (4-3)
Western Conference
- 1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 5) Phoenix Suns (4-3)
- 2) Minnesota Timberwolves over 3) Dallas Mavericks (4-3)
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NBA Playoff predictions: Conference Finals
Eastern Conference Finals
- 1) Boston Celtics over 2) New York Knicks (4-2)
Western Conference Finals
- 1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 2) Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)
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NBA Finals prediction: Boston Celtics over Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2)
