NBA 2025-6 Predictions

Last year, I correctly predicted the Boston Celtics to win the NBA Title.  Let's see how this year goes!

Eastern Conference:

1.       Cleveland

2.       Orlando

3.       New York

4.       Detroit

5.       Atlanta

6.       Milwaukee

7.       Philadelphia

8.       Indiana

9.       Boston

10.     Chicago

11.     Miami

12.     Toronto

13.     Washington

14.     Charlotte

15.     Brooklyn 

Playoffs:

·      (play-ins):   Boston over Chicago; Indiana over Philadelphia; Philadelphia over Boston

·      Cleveland over Philadelphia; Orlando over Indiana; New York over Milwaukee; Detroit over Atlanta

·      Cleveland over Detroit; New York over Orlando

·      Cleveland over New York

Western Conference:

1.       Oklahoma City

2.       Denver

3.       Minnesota

4.       Houston

5.       LA Lakers

6.       Golden State

7.       San Antonio

8.       Dallas

9.       New Orleans

10.     LA Clippers

11.     Portland

12.     Memphis

13.     Sacramento

14.     Phoenix

15.     Utah

Playoffs:

·     (play-ins):  New Orleans over Los Angeles Clippers; San Antonio over Dallas; Dallas over New Orleans

·     Oklahoma City over Dallas; Denver over San Antonio; Minnesota over Golden State; Houston over Los Angeles Lakers

·     Oklahoma City over Houston; Denver over Minnesota  

·     Denver over Oklahoma City

More notes:

·     So many players have been hurt in the East that have taken out some of the top tier teams- Boston, Indiana, Philadelphia.  New York has been healthy, but changed coaches.  Orlando has a ton of talent but still need to prove they can score.  Cleveland won the most games last year, and have been the most consistent.  This is their best chance to make the finals

·     The West is a dogfight.  Houston losing Van Vleet is devastating; he wasn't their best player but he was the key to the team.  OKC has the most talent, and is young enough to actually improve.  But it's tough to win two titles in a row- too many series against top teams.  

·     MVP?  If you can be the MVP while being a Play In Team, I think Victor Wembayana takes it.  Jokic is the best player, but if anyone is close, the voters won't give him another MVP.  So I'll go for a reach and say Paola Banchero shocks everyone.

-     ROY?  Probably Cooper Flagg, assuming he's healthy

-     Lottery?  If Phoenix ends up winning the lottery, their pick goes to either Washington or Memphis.  And I think both of those teams end up in the lottery as well.  I'm picking Washington or Memphis get the #1 pick...

·     Finals?  The West has the most talent.  But they also will batter each other for three rounds.  And matchups matter.  I think Denver, who has the best player in the NBA, takes out OKC.  Denver is a good matchup for OKC (who is a great defensive team, but might not solve Jokic with a better team around him).  But then they face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who I think have an easier time this year.  And Cleveland (who is a great offensive team) can outscore Denver.

        Cleveland in 7.