NBA 2025-2026 Playoff Predictions

For the record, here is my predictions from the start of the season.  I know just enough to sound reasonable but not enough to put my own money on any of these predictions.

Eastern Conference:

Play-in Games:

• Charlotte Hornets over Miami Heat
• Philadelphia 76ers over Orlando Magic
• Charlotte Hornets over Orlando Magic

1st Round:

• Detroit Pistons over Charlotte Hornets, 4-2
• Boston Celtics defeats Philadelphia 76ers, 4-1
• New York Knicks defeats Atlanta Hawks, 4-3
• Cleveland Cavaliers over Toronto Raptors, 4-2

2nd Round:

• Cleveland Cavaliers defeats Detroit Pistons, 4-3
• New York Knicks defeats Boston Celtics, 4-3

Conference Finals:

• Cleveland Cavaliers defeats New York Knicks, 4-2

Thoughts:

• I do think there's a gap between the top four teams in the East and everyone else.  So no upsets in the first round- though Charlotte should scare anyone
• From there, matchups matter.  If the Cavaliers have to play the Boston Celtics, I'd probably pick the Celtics.  But the Knicks have a team that give the Celtics fits- while the Cavaliers give the Pistons problems like few other teams.  
• I'm a Cavaliers fan, and very biased.  But I also think if Cleveland plays to their potential, they will win the Eastern Conference.

Western Conference:

Play-in Games:

• Los Angeles Clippers over Golden State Warriors
• Portland Trail Blazers over Phoenix Suns
• Los Angeles Clippers over Phoenix Suns

1st Round:

• Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Los Angeles Clippers, 4-0
• San Antonio Spurs over Portland Trail Blazers, 4-1
• Denver Nuggets defeat Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-3
• Los Angeles Lakers defeats Houston Rockets, 4-3

2nd Round:

• Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
• Denver Nuggets defeats San Antonio Spurs, 4-3

Conference Finals:

• Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Denver Nuggets, 4-3

Thoughts:

• Matchups matter.  OKC is the best team and their two biggest challengers (Denver and San Antonio) have to play each other before the winner faces them.  
• I really like this Denver team- but they have a HARD road- Minnesota is a great playoff team, and San Antonio has been outstanding.  I think Denver wins those two, but I don't know if they can beat OKC after those two series.

NBA Finals:

• Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-3

This was my pick for the finals last year.  I think OKC is the best team in the NBA.  It is hard to repeat- the team plays so many games for two years in a row.  At the start of the year, I had Denver beating OKC- but the playoffs are laid out so Denver has a much tougher path before they play OKC.

I'm a Cavaliers fan, and I'd like to be wrong on this pick.  

Your NBA Champions- the Oklahoma City Thunder!