2025 NBA Playoff Projections: The Contenders & Dark Horses

• Oklahoma City Thunder (+175) – The team is riding a 10-Game Winning streak and a 14.5 game stranglehold on the Western Conference.  
• Boston Celtics (+185) – Last years champions sit four games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Regardless they remain the favorite to emerge as conference Champions.
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+500) – Currently boasting a 60-15 record but is only 5-5 in their last 10.

This is where the NBA Odds get interesting. Take a look at the significant gap between the Cavs and the next grouping of teams. For those willing to place a wager on a team outside of the big three, the payout can be significant. However, the early 2024-25 NBA Championship betting lines are not reflecting much confidence outside of Oklahoma City, Boston & Cleveland. 

• Denver Nuggets (+1400)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+1400)
• Golden State Warriors (+1600)
• New York Knicks (+3000)
• Los Angeles Clippers (+6000)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+6000)
• Indiana Pacers (+10000)

Eastern Conference: Will The Boston Celtics Get Dethroned?

Perhaps the Boston Celtics will be taken down. The better question to ask is if the Cleveland Cavaliers can knock off the Boston Celtics. The reason for this is because no other team will be able to do so! The tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a force and will be around for years to come.   

All arguments for Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers are welcomed.

Those who feel that the team with the 3^rd best NBA finals odds from the Eastern Conference can compete, we are advising you to proceed with caution. The New York Knicks are unreliable. The NYK will be a better team with the return with of Jalen Brunson. However, lets take a look at how the Knicks faired with Brunson when playing against the best of the Eastern Conference:

• OCT 22 @ Boston (L) 132-109
• OCT 28 Vs Cleveland (L) 110-104
• FEB 8 Vs Boston (L) 131-104
• FEB 21 @ Cleveland (L) 142-105
• FEB 23 @ Boston (L) 118-105

The New York Knicks have lost all games against Boston and Cleveland by an average of 21 points. Not necessarily the resume of a conference champion. In conclusion, until proven otherwise… Boston will represent the East!

Western Conference: Can Anyone Knock Off OKC?

We can already see several basketball content creators get cute with this question. Sure, lots of things can happen between now and the conclusion of the NBA regular season. Injuries can happen and we are not looking to put a hex on stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his league leading 33 PTS per game. Baring anything catastrophic, let us communicate something that deep down you already know. The fact of the matter is, NOBODY from the Western conference will be able to take down the Oklahoma City Thunder.   

For those placing NBA Finals bets you can see that there is a huge difference between betting OKC at +175 and the #2 team (Denver Nuggets) at +1400. The LeBron James & Luka Doncic storyline will generate some buzz. The fantasy of Playoff Jimmy Butler teaming up with the old Warriors like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green is interesting. However, they do not have enough gas in the tank that warrants a serious wager.

In conclusion, OKC advances!

2025 NBA Playoff Projections: Looking Ahead to the Ultimate Showdown

Sometimes it is very difficult in taking the chalk / odds on favorites when making championship picks. It is difficult because there is no fun in making a prediction that all other pundits are making. Taking a look at additional picks with longer odds that are going unnoticed. 

• Denver Nuggets +200 to surpass the Houston Rockets and claim the #2 seed in the Western Conference.
• You can still get the Chicago Bulls at +310 to make the NBA Playoffs

Have fun watching the remainder of the regular season and enjoy the upcoming playoff season!