First Round
West
#1 Thunder vs #8 Grizzlies
Thunder have been playing like the unquestioned best team in the NBA all year and the Grizzlies fell all the way to the 8 seed down the stretch. No-brainer.
Thunder in 4
#2 Rockets vs #7 Warriors
With just how good the Rockets already are, this should be a tight series, but it would be foolish to not back Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler against a team that's returning to relevance for the first time in a bit.
Warriors in 7
#3 Lakers vs #6 Timberwolves
I expect this to be a good series. Ant will give Luka and LeBron as much as they can handle, and the Wolves are arguably better defensively in my opinion. However, I can't see Luka and LeBron bowing out this early.
Lakers in 7
#4 Nuggets vs #5 Clippers
This feels like a series that could go either way, however, I think the tiebreaker here is the Nuggets simply having the NBA's MVP. Clippers still keep it close, but the Nuggets win.
Nuggets in 7
East
#1 Cavaliers vs #8 Heat
The Heat simply don't have the starpower to keep up with the Cavs. Easy series win for them.
Cavaliers in 4
#2 Celtics vs #7 Magic
Celtics are simply the much better team here. And that will show.
Celtics in 4
#3 Knicks vs #6 Pistons
With how the Knicks have been playing down the stretch, it would not surprise me to see the Pistons steal a game or 2, however, the Knicks simply have the better starting 5 and more experience in this matchup. Pistons win a playoff game for the first time since 2008, but the Knicks win the series.
Knicks in 5
#4 Pacers vs #5 Bucks
This series is going to come down to how Dame is feeling. If Dame is fully healthy, then this will be a tightly contested series. If he isn't, then the Pacers likely win with ease. However, in this series, I feel like the Pacers are simply the deeper team, which gives them the advantage here.
Pacers in 7
Conference Semifinals
West
#1 Thunder vs #4 Nuggets
If the Nuggets get past the Clippers, then I doubt they will be any match for the Thunder. Jokic can only do so much, and the Thunder have more buttons they can push, and they win this series with ease.
Thunder in 5
#3 Lakers vs #7 Warriors
This has the potential to be a good series. It's hard to go against Steph and Jimmy in the playoffs, but the Lakers simply have the better and deeper team. Warriors give the Lakers everything they can handle, but the Lakers still win.
Lakers in 6
East
#1 Cavaliers vs #4 Pacers
I think the Pacers could give the Cavs trouble, however, I feel like the Cavs simply have the better all-around team. Hence, they win.
Cavaliers in 6
#2 Celtics vs #3 Knicks
The Knicks did try to build their roster specifically to beat the Celtics, but the Celtics are still the better team. Knicks could make this a series, but the Celtics still get the job done.
Celtics in 6
Conference Finals
West
#1 Thunder vs #3 Lakers
The Thunder simply have every advantage over the Lakers, and it's much better as well. As a result, I consider them heavy favorites in this series. Thunder win with ease and make the Finals for the first time since 2012.
Thunder in 5
WCFMVP-Shai Gilegous-Alexander
East
#1 Cavaliers vs #2 Celtics
The Celtics have simply been playing better down the stretch, and arguably have more depth here, which gives them the slightest of advantages in this series. It will be tough and can go either way, but I think it's the Celtics that get back to the Finals.
Celtics in 7
ECFMVP: Jayson Tatum
Finals
Thunder vs Celtics
This has the potential to be a good Finals. Both sides are evenly matched. However, I feel like just slightly, the Thunder are the better team. They've been showing that all year. It will be a close series, but the Thunder narrowly win, earning their 2nd title in franchise history, and first in Oklahoma City.
Thunder in 7
FMVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
