Playoff bracket projections and 2025 NBA Finals prediction

With the 2024-25 NBA season underway, now is the perfect time for a round of NBA Playoff predictions. After adding another title to their record championship haul in the spring, 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, we give you our NBA playoff predictions for the brand new season.

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Eastern Conference NBA Playoff predictions and seeds

1. Boston Celtics (59-23)
2. New York Knicks (59-23)
3. Milwaukee Bucks (52-30)
4. Philadelphia 76ers (49-33)
5. Indiana Pacers (46-36)
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (45-37)
7. Orlando Magic (45-37) — NBA Play-In Tournament
8. Miami Heat (42-40) — NBA Play-In Tournament
9. Chicago Bulls (40-42) — NBA Play-In Tournament
10. Toronto Raptors (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.
• 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. This Knicks squad is built to win it all right now.

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• 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, a preseason knee injury to George shows just how fragile this group is. Plus, the team plans to rest Embiid and George for back-to-back, which won’t help their win-loss record in 2024-25.
• 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?
• The Chicago Bulls have dealt with a lot in the last couple of seasons. Things got worse this summer when they lost locker room leader DeMar DeRozan. However, with Lonzo Ball finally healthy, the Bulls are primed to surprise and be a legit play-in contender this season.
• The Toronto Raptors looked to the future by trading OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam last season. R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are going to be cornerstones moving forward, whether fans like it or not. Recently extended Scottie Barnes is the face of the franchise up north but he will need help from the former Knicks draft picks to compete for a playoff spot this season.

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Western Conference NBA Playoff predictions

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (52-30)
3. Sacramento Kings (51-31)
4. Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
5. Denver Nuggets (49-33)
6. New Orleans Pelicans (48-34)
7. Los Angeles Lakers (45-37) — NBA Play-In Tournament
8. Memphis Grizzlies (44-38) — NBA Play-In Tournament
9. Phoenix Suns (41-41) — NBA Play-In Tournament
10. Los Angeles Clippers (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.
• 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.

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• 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 shotmaker. 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.
• 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. 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. No, Russell Westbrook would not change that.
• 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.

Western Conference Play-In teams

• 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.
• 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.
• 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?
• The Los Angeles Clippers’ desperate decision to give Kawhi Leonard an extension was not a smart move and the former elite player will start the new season recovering from another knee injury. However, Ty Lue is an exceptional coach and he should be able to get this aging and injury-prone group into the NBA Play-In Tournament next spring.

Related: 1 bold prediction for all 30 NBA teams in 2024-25 season, including Ja Morant’s return to superstar status

NBA Playoff predictions: Matchups and winners

Eastern Conference first round

• 1) Boston Celtics over 8) Chicago Bulls (4-0)
• 4) Philadelphia 76ers over 5) Indiana Pacers (4-3)
• 3) Milwaukee Bucks 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) Phoenix Suns (4-2)
• 5) Denver Nuggets over 4) Dallas Mavericks (4-3)
• 3) Sacramento Kings over 6) New Orleans Pelicans (4-3)
• 7) Memphis Grizzlies over 2) Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)

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NBA Playoff predictions: Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

• 1) Boston Celtics over 4) Philadelphia 76ers (4-2)
• 2) New York Knicks over 3) Milwaukee Bucks (4-3)

Western Conference

• 1) Oklahoma City Thunder over 5) Denver Nuggets (4-2)
• 3) Sacramento Kings over 7) Memphis Grizzlies over (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) Sacramento Kings (4-2)

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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.