Don’t blink, or you might miss the two-month span that is postseason basketball. Just kidding, the NBA playoffs are the longest playoffs of all sports and there is plenty to talk about. Literally, over half the league makes the postseason so I would hope there would be. We’ll break down the bracket and of course, some predictions for who will be the final team standing. Here’s our 2025 NBA Eastern Conference playoffs preview.
Opening Round
1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8) Miami Heat
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been so impressive in the East this year. Led by guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, their young talent has blossomed into a bona fide roster of superstars. They had winning streaks of 16, 15, and 12 games this season. The Heat do have some talented players, but they will be no match for Cleveland. This one should be a rather easy four-game sweep.
2) Boston Celtics vs 7) Orlando Magic
Orlando was a bit of a disappointment this season. They finished right at .500 despite having some of the best young players in the league. The Magic will be no match for a Celtics team that has the look of a repeat championship winner and finished the season 40 games over .500 with an 8-2 record over the course of their last 10 games. A week off gives Jaylen Brown a chance to rest as well. I’ll take the Celtics in four games.
3) New York Knicks vs 6) Detroit Pistons
It’s nice to see Detroit back into the postseason after shaking up the coaching staff last season despite handing out a massive contract. Cade Cunningham is a star, but he must get through a deep, loaded roster with the Knicks. If New York gets bounced in this round, I think they might have a head coach come next season. Thankfully, for Tom Thibodeau, I think his Knicks take care of business in six games.
4) Indiana Pacers vs 5) Milwaukee Bucks
Both the Pacers and Bucks won eight of their final 10 games to end the regular season, but it was the Bucks who did it with an 8-game winning streak. Doc Rivers wants to get back to the finals, but he will have to get past Rick Carlise and Tyreese Haliburton to do that. Thankfully, they have Giannis and that’s a guy who powers you through the opening round. Bucks in 7.
Quarterfinals
1) Cavaliers vs 5) Bucks
Giannis is good enough for round one but not good enough to get past this Cavs super team. Cavs in 6.
2) Celtics vs 3) Knicks
What a series this would be…Boston vs. New York. The Celtics were 4-0 against the Knicks this season. Celtics in 5.
Semi-Finals
1) Cavaliers vs 2) Celtics
I value experience and championship pedigree over youth and talent. Thankfully the Celtics have both and the Cavs are more one-sided. Celtics in 7.
Finals
Thunder vs Celtics
Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, Pritchard, Holliday, White….come on. That’s a roster that wins two Finals in a row.