NBA Playoff Picks / Predictions

 

It's playoff time!

We've arrived at the end of another regular season. Here are my picks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Western Conference

1st Round

OKC beats Memphis 4 games to 1.

Clippers beat Nuggets 4 games to 3.

Lakers beat Timberwolves 4 games to 2.

Rockets beat Warriors 4 games to 3.

2nd Round

OKC beats Clippers 4 games to 2.

Lakers beat Rockets 4 games to 3.

3rd Round

OKC beats Lakers 4 games to 2.

Eastern Conference

1st Round

Cavs beat Heat 4 games to 2.

Bucks beat Pacers 4 games to 2.

Knicks beat Pistons 4 games to 1.

Celtics beat Magic 4 games to 2.

2nd Round

Cavs beat Bucks 4 games to 3.

Knicks beat Celtics 4 games to 3.

3rd Round

Cavs beat Knicks 4 games to 2.

Finals

Cavs beat OKC 4 games to 3.

NBA Post Trade Deadline Thoughts

 

1. Jimmy Butler is not my guy. He seems to be the exact opposite of a team player, and he's someone who's said outright that he's not comfortable with authority. A toxic personality who's not worth the basketball prowess he brings to the table. At this age, his ability to take over games is severely limited.

2. The Luka-AD trade was a bad idea for Dallas and a steal for L.A., but at the same time I don't know how seismic it is for either team's title chances. Both are a little above average this year, and I don't think this drops Dallas out of playoff contention, or lifts the Lakers into championship quality.

3. The Spurs are going to keep getting better, and I'm guessing they'll raise a banner or two in the next decade. Then the real question will become whether Wembanyama wants to find some greener grass away from old curmudgeonly Coach Pop.

4. The Cavs improved a little - they're looking for that extra edge come playoff time. I'll stand by my assessment: Finals-ready but not quite Championship-ready. But please, prove me wrong!

5. The Browns are probably going to be looking at how good the Cavs are and thinking, hey, maybe we should start winning some games every now and then. They should sell the team to Kenny Atkinson; he'd have them in the Super Bowl before the 2020s are over. Ownership is just stupid, and I'm worried about what they're going to do come draft day. I think Jeanty is the best choice, and Cam Ward if not. (And they won't take Jeanty). Don't pass up on an actually solid, red-flag-free young offensive anchor. Please.

Super Bowl Preview

 

We've seen this before. Just two years ago, Kansas City beat Philadelphia 38-35 to win LVII. Now, contrary to both of my predictions, both teams are back for a rematch.

I think the most significant difference for two teams with the same coaches and same quarterbacks is the Running Back position in Philadelphia. Saquon Barkley has been instrumental in each of Philadelphia's postseason wins - and Super Bowl Sunday is his 28th birthday! He's going to bring it, and no one knows for sure how Kansas City will handle it. The two teams did not meet in the regular season, so the direct matchup between Barkley and Kansas City does not have precedent this season.

My predictions have been wrong thus far, but that won't stop me from trying again! My Super Bowl prediction is a 38-34 victory for the Philadelphia Eagles - almost the reverse of their score two Super Bowls ago. I would love to see Nick Chubb barreling over Andy Reid's defense to bring an AFC title to Cleveland. But if I can't have that, I would have no problem seeing Barkley do the same in the Super Bowl - and he's certainly capable. The Eagles smothered the Redskins with 55 points of offense in the NFC Championship game, and three of those touchdowns (along with 118 yards on 7.9 yards per carry) are thanks to their running back. While Kansas City will probably be a stiffer challenge, I think the Eagles will get enough breakthroughs in the run game to make up for Mahomes and the refs. 

UPDATE:

Eagles won! 40-22, and a lot of that 22 from Kansas City was in garbage time. Very impressive and well-earned by Philadelphia.