The 2025 NBA playoffs are underway and there are a handful of teams favored to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. With several different early round series matchups underway, plus other possible future matchups, CSD students pick their favorites to win the whole thing.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to advance with their star Shai Gilgeous Alexander leading the MVP race over the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. The Thunder have a young and exciting core and have been the best team in the NBA all season. The Thunder first face the Grizzlies who just made the playoffs by winning the in-season tournament. Analysts pick the Thunder to sweep the Grizzlies in four games.
The Denver Nuggets have the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic healthy and look to win their second title in three years. They first face the LA Clippers who are led by two-time NBA champ Kawhi Leonard and former MVP James Harden. The series is expected to be fierce with both of the teams being evenly matched in both skill and size. Many expect the series to go to seven games with the Clippers coming out on top.
On the other side of Los Angeles, the Lakers first face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Many are calling it the past generation against the new generation with Lebron James going up against Anthony Edwards who is not afraid to go up against the greats of the game. He previously took out Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in last year’s playoffs and is looking stronger.
With the Lakers latest trade of acquiring Luka Doncic, many are picking the Lakers as the favorites to win the series. But don’t be surprised if the Timberwolves make it tough for the Lakers to win or if they end up winning it all together.
The last playoff matchup in the West is the experienced Golden State Warriors against the young Houston Rockets in what could be a series for the ages. The Warriors have battled the Rockets many times in the playoffs over the last decade with them prevailing each time.
CSD students say there are many different factors to consider when trying to pick who is going to win.
“The fact that the Rockets have a new look and are a young team going against an older and more experienced Warriors team is what makes this a tough decision,” Jack Parrot (‘25) said. “But in the end I’m going to take the experience of the Warriors over the Rockets.”
In the East, the match-ups don’t seem as competitive with many students picking the Boston Celtics over the Orlando Magic, the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Miami Heat and the Pacers over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Where things get more competitive are the New York Knicks going against the Detroit Pistons with many having the Knicks coming out on top in what is expected to be a tough and gritty seven game series.
“I think OKC is winning it all because they have been the best team the whole season and have the best weapons of all the teams in the playoffs,” Jack Sullivan (‘25) said.
So look for either the Thunder to bring home the trophy or the Celtics to repeat.
