Many are claiming the NBA Playoffs are as wide open as they have been in recent memory. Is that true? Oklahoma City put together the most dominant regular season since the 1990-91 Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan. The Celtics and Cavaliers finished with a combined 125 wins and finished atop the East by a whopping ten games better than their nearest "rivals". Not sure how wide open the chase for the Larry O'Brien Trophy really is.
Let's ask the experts at NBC Sports who follow the Association with a magnifying glass what they expect in the postseason. Who do they believe wins the conference finals, who claims the NBA Championship, and what player jumps to the forefront of conversations on talk shows and social media as the playoffs unfold. We have thrown in the odds where it is appropriate.
NBA Eastern Conference Winner
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports): Celtics (-145) over Pacers (+2200)
"It's very easy to see Boston versus Cleveland and 99% of the world will pick it, which doesn't mean it's wrong because I agree it's the most likely outcome, but the Cavaliers play at the 10th-quickest tempo this season and that plays right into how Indiana plays (7th-quickest). With the Bucks Damian Lillard dealing with a blood clot and a 4-2 series win over Milwaukee last season, I think the Pacers can advance in the first round and give the Cavaliers a run for their money in the second round. I will go out on a limb here and go with the Pacers versus Celtics in hopes the Eastern Conference isn't as vanilla as Cleveland versus Boston."
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper): Cavaliers (+210) over Celtics (-145)
"Clear tier difference between the top two and everyone else in the East and with some questions about Boston's health and depth I'll back the home court team with the stronger offensive closing five in the Cavs."
Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)
"I'd love to be adventurous here, but these two teams were head and shoulders better than anyone else."
Raphielle Johnson (@raphiellej): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)
"Boston and Cleveland have been the two best teams in the East by a comfortable margin. It's difficult to see that changing in the playoffs."
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas): Celtics (-145) OVER Cavaliers (+210)
"The Eastern Conference is top-heavy. The Celtics and the Cavs are miles better than any other team in the East. The Celtics have a deep team, probably the deepest in the NBA. Mix in their ability to shoot threes and lock down on defense; they are going to be hard to beat over a seven-game stretch."
**odds listed are to win the Eastern Conference
NBA Western Conference Winner
Dalzell: Lakers (+600) OVER Clippers (+1200)
"Whoever the No. 7 and 8 seeds are, they will be hot picks to make a run in the West, especially if they are Golden State and Memphis, which makes each round all that more difficult for the No. 1 and 2 seeds. If there is a shakeup, both of the Los Angeles teams could make a run. The Thunder lost in the second-round last year, and the Rockets haven't made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season, and we forget how young these teams truly are. Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers are white-hot at the right time and the LeBron James and Luka Doncic duo has worked out well, so I will go with the best outcome for the NBA's ratings (and LeBron's career)."
Dinsick: Thunder (-140) OVER Lakers (+600)
"The Thunder put a bow on their historic season with a clean run through the Western Conference and get some revenge on Luka and the Lakers in the process."
