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NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 NBA Finals: Pacers-Thunder predictions, key matchups to watch in roundtable preview
With Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers scheduled to tip off Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET., we've gathered Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson, and Noah Rubin to break down the important questions and the matchups to watch during the series, as well as their predictions on how the 2025 NBA Finals will play out. Kurt Helin, Noah Rubin: Can they? Potentially. Will they? I'm not banking on it. To be clear, this isn't a knock on Indiana's offense, which has been incredible since Tyrese Haliburton was handed the keys to the offense. They play team basketball, and everyone is a threat. However, this is one of the best defenses in league history. They have multiple guards, multiple forwards and multiple bigs that can guard multiple positions. This is a defense that works and fits together, and there aren't any weak links to pick on. If anyone can figure it out, it will probably be Rick Carlisle and Haliburton, but I don't think it's going to be enough to win this series. Raphielle Johnson: The Pacers can potentially break through against the Thunder defense, but this will be a challenge unlike any they've faced this postseason. In addition to their depth, the Thunder, for the most part, have looked extremely connected on that end of the floor. Luguentz Dort's physicality will be a challenge for Tyrese Haliburton, and then Oklahoma City can call on Cason Wallace whenever he needs a break. What I'm also looking forward to is how the Thunder use Alex Caruso. In the conference finals, they were able to go small for long stretches due to his ability to handle a variety of assignments. Kurt Helin: No. Or, at least not enough to win the series. The Pacers have a fantastic offense and Tyrese Haliburton deserves all the flowers coming his way in recent days, plus Indy has generally handled pressure defenses well (Game 5 vs. New York excluded). It's just different with the quality of defenders the Thunder bring. Here's the bigger issue: OKC may be the best switching defense in the league. The Pacers like to force a switch with a high pick early in the offense to get Haliburton matched up on the guy he wants to attack (sorry Brunson), and to get defenses in rotation when he does get downhill. The Thunder, however, can and will switch just about anything 1-5 and don't have a weak defender on the floor, plus their rotations are sharper than anyone else's. Rubin: Jalen Williams vs. Aaron Nesmith. During the regular season, Andrew Nembhard took the SGA matchup on defense, and Nesmith guarded Williams, who had an excellent series against Minnesota. Williams wasn't as effective against Denver, and the Nuggets were nearly able to win the series. The one game OKC dropped against the Timberwolves was Williams' worst performance of the series. Slowing down SGA is a tall task, but if Nesmith is able to take Williams out of the equation, the Pacers will have a better chance at winning this series. Johnson: Myles Turner vs. Chet Holmgren. The Pacers won't win this series without Turner consistently being one of the best players on the floor. He was not in the two regular-season meetings between these teams, and Holmgren did not play in either matchup due to his fractured hip. Turner brings a little more power to the table than the slender Holmgren, but he doesn't always bring that physicality. He didn't have the best conference finals, but the Pacers were good enough in other areas to compensate. They can't afford for Turner to be anything but elite if they're to win the title. Helin: Luguentz Dort vs. Tyrese Haliburton. What we saw in Game 5 vs. New York is something we saw too much of from Haliburton early in the season, when Indiana got off to a slow start: Put a physical, athletic, ball-denying defender on Haliburton and he was too willing to go into a shell and let his teammates essentially play 4-on-4. That didn't work, Haliburton stepped up his aggressiveness in those settings and the Pacers did a better job of off-ball picks and more to get Haliburton the rock. The Pacers' balanced offense doesn't work if Haliburton isn't conducting the orchestra. Nobody frustrates a point guard, and nobody in the league gets over picks as well as Dort, and if he is making Haliburton's life miserable, then Indiana's going to have a miserable, short, series. Rubin: Pascal Siakam. Three-time All-Star. Two All-NBA appearances. The 2018-19 Most Improved Player. Now, Siakam could add a second ring to his collection, and after winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award, there is certainly a chance he wins Finals MVP, if they win the series. Basketball Reference currently has Siakam at a 2.1 percent chance of making the Hall of Fame, but will he have more of a case with another ring? I don't think he would if he retired this summer, but his resume would certainly be strengthened. Johnson: Sam Presti. He's already regarded by many as the best lead executive in the NBA today, given what he's done to build the Thunder into a juggernaut that is set up to last. There's just one thing missing from his time in Oklahoma City, and that's a championship. While the 'legacy' conversation focuses on the players, and rightfully so, the respective rotations are pretty young. That doesn't guarantee them more shots at a championship, but I don't think any player will have to deal with the 'legacy' chatter that a LeBron James, for example, did after he moved to Miami. So, I'll go with Presti as my answer. Helin: Rick Carlisle. This run to the Finals may have done it anyway. Within league circles he was always considered one of the best Xs and Os guys out there — going all the way back to his time on Chuck Daly's Nets' staff — but there was a sense among more casual fans that he was a coach who lucked into an NBA Finals win because of Dirk Nowitzki (the way that Frank Vogel's title is viewed by many now, and some might even through Doc Rivers in that mix). It was never true, and Carlisle leading this team to the Finals in a very different style than his previous one shows his versatility and evolution as a coach. Rubin: Thunder in five, with SGA taking the honors. If I was getting overly specific with my prediction, it would be that the Thunder win one game in a blowout, but the rest of the games in this series will be tight. I just don't think the miraculous run from Indiana will result in a championship. SGA will be the best player on the floor, and the Thunder are deeper, which is saying a lot since the Pacers are also a deep team. Indiana may have a slight coaching advantage, but this is a matchup of two elite coaches. I think this will be a close, exciting series, but I just don't think the Pacers will end up winning more than one game. Johnson: I like the Thunder in six games, and Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP. These have been the two best teams in the NBA since January 1, with Oklahoma City being the best throughout the season. They can match Indiana's strengths, and I have my questions about how effective they'll be defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Indiana will put up a great fight and win a few games, but Oklahoma City has been the best team in the NBA all season long, and I expect them to get the title to back up that claim. Helin: Thunder in five, and if there is one lock coming into these NBA Finals it would be SGA to win MVP. Indiana has a team built for the modern game and tax apron world, a fun style of play with Haliburton out in front but quality players perfect for their roles such as Siakam, Turner and Nembhard. The Pacers' problem is that they want to play a fast, chaotic game, and Oklahoma City does that better. Haliburton is brilliant but Gilgeous-Alexander is better. Turner is having a great playoff run (well-timed for a guy getting a new contract) but Chet Holmgren is better. Indiana's defense is improved, the Thunder's is suffocating. You get the idea. OKC is just a better version of what Indiana has become.
NBC Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 NBA Finals predictions, what's next for Celtics, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Warriors in playoffs roundtable
The matchups are set for the 2025 NBA conference finals, as the Thunder will meet the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals and the Knicks will play the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. You can find everything you need to know about those series in the links below. For the purposes of this roundtable, we got NBC Sports' Kurt Helin and Rotoworld's Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin together to offer their thoughts on the teams who were eliminated in the conference semifinals and their respective paths moving forward. We also asked for a temperature check on their NBA Finals predictions. Check it out! Pacers vs. Knicks Timberwolves vs. Thunder Kurt Helin, Kurt Helin: The winds of change were sweeping over Boston this summer long before Tatum's injury. The buzz around the league for a year has been that the Celtics would move on from one of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, say goodbye to Al Horford, and might want to find a new home for Kristaps Porzingis as well (how strong the trade market is for Porzingis is up for debate). However, the Tatum injury turning next season into a 'gap year' for the Celtics means Brad Stevens and Boston's new ownership need to take a step back and ask the bigger question: Should they consider trading Jaylen Brown? If they can get a package of quality young players and picks (as Houston or San Antonio could offer), allowing Boston to retool everything around Tatum's full-speed return for the 2026-27 season, they have to seriously consider it. The rumors will fly, but my bet is they stick with the Tatum and Brown era in Boston. However, everyone else on that roster is and should be available at the right price. Noah Rubin: They have to. Even in the weaker conference (which could get weaker if Giannis Antetokounmpo gets traded out West), Boston probably doesn't have enough to win a championship next season without Tatum, even if he could be back a couple months before the playoffs. With multiple teams needing center help (hello Rob Pelinka) and everyone else in the East likely looking to take advantage of the Celtics not having Tatum, it's the perfect year for Boston to zig while everyone else zags. Not many contending teams also have control of their draft capital like the Celtics do. The question is how proactive does Brad Stevens want to be? Assuming next season is a wash (and this isn't a given), Jaylen Brown will be 31 at the start of the 2026-27 season. Derrick White will be 33, Jrue Holiday will be 37, Kristaps Porzingis will be 32, etc. Do they feel confident that Tatum, coming off an Achilles tear, can win a championship at 29 with this cast? It seems unlikely that they will keep this team together, though that doesn't mean everyone will be gone. If I were in charge, I'd think long and hard about taking advantage of a stacked 2026 class, highlighted by Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa, to give the Celtics their own version of the Tim Duncan-David Robinson Spurs. Or potentially trade an early pick in that draft for a different co-star for Tatum. Raphielle Johnson: At surface level, the Celtics are in a position where it makes sense (and saves some cents) to consider what they can do via the trade market. Kristaps Porzingis is heading into the final year of his contract, likely making him the easiest player to move if ownership were to go this route. However, he remains a medical question mark due to the late-season illness that impacted his stamina during the postseason. Acquiring him without clarity on that situation would be a significant risk for any team. Jrue Holiday will be 35 in June and has three seasons remaining on his contract, and 38-year-old Al Horford will be a free agent this summer. However, the fact that a new ownership group has taken over makes this difficult to read. Would it make a good impression on the fan base if your first course of action were to cut costs and break up a team that would remain one of the best in the East, even with Jayson Tatum out for most of next season? I would say no. I think Boston looks to make another run at advancing out of the East, with a player like Payton Pritchard taking on an expanded role. Who knows whether or not it works? But I believe Boston won't go into a complete rebuild just yet. Helin: Father Time wins every race. A year from now Curry will be 38, while Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green will be 36, as much as experience helps at some point the combination of talent and youth with teams like Oklahoma City, Houston and Minnesota will overwhelm them (and that's not even getting into a retooled Lakers squad, and the Nuggets still have Nikola Jokic). Truly contending next season is off the table. That doesn't mean you don't try. Mike Dunleavy and the Golden State front office need to spend the offseason finding a legitimate center, adding athleticism and shooting, and do all that while keeping under the second apron. The Warriors will be a lot of fun next season, but come the playoffs, they will just be an appetizer for the better teams. Rubin: Steph Curry is a player that I just won't ever write off. After the All-Star break last season, the Warriors had the best defensive rating and seventh-best offensive rating in the league, per That's while inserting Jimmy Butler into the rotation and having him figure things out on the fly. There are two factors that will give Golden State a chance next season. The first is health, which is entirely out of their hands. The second is to truly commit to building a winning team. There should be no reports that anyone not named Steph is 'off the table.' They've slowly veered away from the two timeline approach, but there needs to be more commitment. Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent, and he could be part of a sign-and-trade. Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and every other young player that holds trade value, as well as any picks, should all be up for grabs. It's entirely possible that the Warriors would rather keep a player like Podz because they like him long-term. That's fine. He's a talented player. I just think the path to contention is to truly upgrade the roster and worry about picking up the pieces after 30 calls it a career. Johnson: Stephen Curry is the key. As long as he's healthy, the Warriors will have a chance to make noise in the West, even with that being the stronger conference of the two. Having Jimmy Butler with the team from the start of training camp would also help. However, the depth is a concern for me. What do they truly think about Jonathan Kuminga as a consistent contributor? He didn't get back into the rotation until Curry's hamstring injury forced Steve Kerr's hand, and there's no guarantee that another team won't make Kuminga an offer he can't refuse…and Golden State can't match. It would likely be in Golden State's best interest to work out a sign-and-trade, potentially fortifying the roster with multiple players who can remain in Kerr's rotation. They'll need Brandin Podziemski to continue to improve, but there is a path to this group being a contender next season. They'll likely need some help in the form of a team with considerable cap space putting a lucrative offer in front of Kuminga to make that happen, though. Helin: There is no dynasty in Cleveland, but the Tatum injury opened the door for this to be more than a one-and-done roster. The Cavaliers should run it back next season and try to take a step forward. Two things became clear this postseason: 1) Darius Garland is critical to this team and they need him to stay fully healthy; 2) The front office needs to add some toughness, some grit to the roster. A veteran built for the playoffs. Do that and this should be more than a one-year thing in Cleveland. Rubin: I think if they play their cards correctly, Cleveland will be among the top teams in the East for a while. If injury luck was on their side, they would have at least been more competitive in the Indiana series. It was the first season with Kenny Atkinson at the helm, and they added De'Andre Hunter halfway through the season. Continuity will be helpful, but the growth of both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will be critical. Donovan Mitchell is still the superstar, but Garland and Mobley have plenty of upside. Their core four is under contract through 2028, and there's no reason for them to break things up. It was a disappointing end to the season, and there is room for improvement, but it's difficult to not be encouraged by a 64-win season. Johnson: To be fair, the definition of the word 'dynasty' appears to be changing in the NBA, as we're headed toward a seventh different champion in seven years. I can't buy into Cleveland unless the front office makes significant adjustments in the toughness department. Does this mean they part ways with one of their 'core four'? Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley should not go anywhere, but the Cavaliers may have to consider potential offers for Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. Given the current state of the East, especially with Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, the Cavaliers should believe they can remain among the best for the next few seasons. But the postseason is an entirely different animal, and they'll need to remember that this summer. Helin: Not as long as Nikola Jokic is the best player walking the face of the earth, he gives them a chance even when the talent around him is not up to the level needed (see this last series against OKC). That said, it might be time to tweak the team's core if that means trading away Michael Porter Jr. for depth and defense. Rubin: It's a new era in Denver with interim head coach David Adelman and interim general manager Ben Tenzer both hoping to have their interim tags removed. The Nuggets had relied on continuity for success in recent years, but it may be time for a change. Today's teams rely on depth more than ever, and the Nuggets' lack of it was a glaring issue that was exposed in consecutive seven-game series. I don't think it's time to clean house, but I don't think anyone other than Jokic should be off the table in a potential deal. Having more than eight players you can trust in the playoffs is helpful. Johnson: Like Kurt said, as long as you have a player of Nikola Jokic's caliber on your roster, you have a shot. But they'll need to make moves to improve the team's depth and athleticism to contend in the West. Of course, many will zero in on Michael Porter Jr. and his hefty contract, and with good reason. It would not surprise me if he were the subject of trade rumors this summer. Helin: I picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to win it all before the playoffs started, I'm not getting off that bandwagon now. Rubin: I'm going with the Timberwolves. I think the combination of elite defense and go-to scorers will give them a chance to beat anyone. Plus, Julius Randle is just playing at a much higher level than I expected him to. I think he poses matchup problems for every remaining team. Johnson: I liked the Thunder to win the title before the postseason began, and I will stick with them. Their ability to answer nearly any problem thrown their way makes them the favorite heading into the conference finals.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets Are All in on Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Houston Rockets are a potential landing spot for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he recently announced he is open to a trade. Antetokounmpo has achieved a lot with the Bucks as he has been an all-star, MVP, and won an NBA championship during his tenure in Milwaukee. According to an article by NBC Sports Kurt Helin, the Bucks are one of 7 potential trade candidates that make sense for Antetokounmpo. The Rockets can include some of their draft picks in an attempt to make a lucrative offer for "the Greek Freak." He would make the Rockets an instant contender for the championship. Advertisement Giannis averaged 30.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg, and 6.5 apg on the season. He ranked second in the league in scoring, as he is an elite scorer. Giannis blends power, speed, and agility in a way few players ever have. His ability to handle the ball like a guard, attack the rim with authority, and defend multiple positions makes him one of the most complete players in the league. He's also known for his humility, team-first mentality, and relentless drive to improve. He elevates any team in the league with his presence on defense and offense. It will be an interesting offseason for the Rockets as they look to improve the roster.
NBC Sports
13-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: Cooper Flagg gives Mavericks new superstar, Dylan Harper goes to Spurs
Yes, the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery actually went the way it did. It wasn't a fever dream. The Mavericks, Spurs, and 76ers will make the first three picks of the draft, which isn't an outcome that anyone expected at the start of last season. Kurt Helin, In a talented class headlined by Duke forward Cooper Flagg, the only thing that feels certain right now is that Dallas will have a new generational superstar to build around. However, with Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially available for a trade, and the path to a championship feeling more wide open than ever, plenty of lottery picks could be on the move in June. NBC Sports' Kurt Helin, Rotoworld's Raphielle Johnson and myself got together to mock the first 14 picks of the draft now that the order is clear. We'll do more mock drafts in the lead up to the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25. This is the obvious choice. Dallas somehow lucked into a generational prospect just months after trading one away. Flagg fits GM Nico Harrison's motto of 'defense wins championships' and should make an impact from day one on a team that will have championship aspirations next season. Flagg will provide playmaking while Kyrie Irving gets healthy while forming a formidable defensive front alongside Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively, and P.J. Washington. - Rubin As we often hear in drafts, this is where the draft begins. The Spurs hold two lottery picks (No. 14 as well). Do they hold onto them, or is this viewed as an opportunity to add another star to the equation? With De'Aaron Fox in the fold, adding another point guard to the mix may not appear to be the best approach. However, Harper is the best available player on the board, and his combination of size and skill is too enticing to pass up here. - Johnson If Daryl Morey keeps this pick, he needs to think about the long-term play as a fit with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, and I think Edgecombe works better there than the riskier play of Ace Bailey. Edgecombe can play on or off the ball, defends well, and gives the 76ers a three-guard rotation that will be the core of this team in a post Joel Embiid/Paul George era. - Helin Syd Pierre, Knueppel can provide a number of things for a Hornets team that is still trying to figure things out. He can slot in as a day-one starter alongside LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams. Knueppel is known for his shooting, which will open up the offense for the aforementioned starters. He can be a secondary creator when needed and will compete on the defensive end. He also doesn't need the ball in his hands to contribute. With some injury luck, Charlotte could return to the postseason. - Rubin I was a bit surprised to see Bailey available in this spot. While his measurements at the NBA Draft Combine were somewhat concerning, with the forward being more than two inches shorter than his listing at Rutgers, games aren't played barefoot. Even with Utah selecting Cody Williams in last year's draft and also having Brice Sensabaugh in the wing rotation, neither has done enough to dissuade adding another competitor to the mix. If the athletic Bailey is available at five, the Jazz are going to have a hard time passing on him. - Johnson Washington needs help everywhere, and with all due respect to Bub Carrington, that includes point guard. Fears is an upside play. There are scouts that love him and think he's top five in this draft, others are not sold, but Washington should take big swings at this point in their roster-building process. - Helin The Pelicans drafted Yves Missi in the first round last season, but they still have questions at center, specifically with Missi's fit next to Zion Williamson, who represented the team at the draft lottery. If that's their way of saying they're committed to Zion as the franchise player, then they need a center that fits better next to him. Insert Queen, who is a strong playmaker for a center and can space the floor enough to open things up for Williamson. There may be questions about that frontcourt defensively, but Herb Jones and Trey Murphy will help make up for it. Plus, the big man pick and rolls will be so much fun. - Rubin Johnson is one of the best pure scorers in this draft class, as he can put up points from anywhere on the court. With the Nets holding four first-round picks and a lot of cap space, it's fair to wonder if lead executive Sean Marks will look to use this as an opportunity to fast-track the team's rebuild. If not, Johnson can be a solid building block for the Nets, regardless of what happens with Cam Thomas in free agency. - Johnson Anthony DeCicco, This is just a natural fit. The Raptors have been in love with playing a lot of interchangeable, switchable wings and Murray-Boyles slides right into that deep rotation in Toronto. - Helin Alperen Sengun is obviously the starting center for Houston, but that doesn't mean he is a flawless player. Having Maluach off the bench provides the Rockets with a nice change of pace with a defensive stalwart that shot 71.2 percent from the floor for Duke last season. Houston had success with two-big lineups featuring Sengun and Steven Adams, and while Maluach isn't the passer that Adams is, it's an intriguing lineup. Plus, having a shot blocker like Maluach behind a perimeter defense featuring Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. is enticing. - Rubin The Trail Blazers' play after the All-Star break certainly sparked optimism, and rightfully so. However, they still have a logjam to clean out in the frontcourt, and they remain small at the guard positions with Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson. Jackucionis' ability to play on or off the ball would make for a good fit, even with there being concerns regarding how well he can separate off the bounce. - Johnson Chicago needs defense, particularly wing defense, and that's where Bryant comes in. If Chicago is all-in on a Josh Giddey and Coby White backcourt, Bryant provides a transition finisher and needed defense. - Helin Atlanta has tried to surround Trae Young with a ton of length, and that is something that Sorber can provide. He measured in with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and a 9-foot-1 standing reach at the combine. Sorber showcased shooting touch from the mid-range in college and was a solid passer at the center spot. Onyeka Okongwu is an undersized center, and while Sorber isn't that tall, he makes up for it with length and strength. He'll fit well in Quin Snyder's offense and should make a day-one impact on defense. Of course, this could be another minutes split for Okongwu, who spent the last few seasons behind Clint Capela. This time, Okongwu will at least be the starter. - Rubin With the Spurs already selecting Harper in this mock draft, Demin probably isn't the best fit. But versatile forward Carter Bryant was off the board, so the 6-foot-9 Demin is the choice. He isn't much of a shooter, and the defense needs some work, but the Russian guard's ability to make reads in the two-man game makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft class. Unless the Spurs were to use the second overall pick to go 'big game hunting,' I'd keep an eye on this pick potentially being moved in favor of adding a more established option alongside Wembanyama, Fox, and Castle. - Johnson - Asa Newell, F, Georgia - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State - Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) - Danny Wolf, C, Michigan - Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State Dan Patrick reacts to the Mavericks winning the NBA draft lottery despite 1.8% odds, breaking down Dallas' future with the opportunity to select Cooper Flagg and how the stunner impacts the league as a whole. Currently projected as a top-three 2025 NBA Draft pick, look back at Ace Bailey's biggest plays from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' 2024-25 season, where he starred alongside future NBA draft pick Dylan Harper. Look back on the highlights from Kasparas Jakucionis' 2024-25 season. The Fighting Illini freshman guard is projected as a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
NBC Sports
05-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 NBA Playoffs: Predictions, storylines to follow in NBA conference semifinals roundtable
With the 2025 NBA Playoffs moving to the conference semifinals, we got Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson, and Noah Rubin together to discuss what has happened so far and what to expect as the journey to the NBA Finals continues. Knicks vs. Celtics Nuggets vs. Thunder Pacers vs. Cavaliers Timberwolves vs. Warriors (coming soon) Aidan Berg, Noah Rubin: Pistons. Not only were they able to end their postseason drought, but they have perfectly married classic, old school, Detroit toughness with modern day basketball. They have a franchise player in Cade Cunningham, other exciting lottery picks like Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, and they've established a culture. The key now is to not rest on their laurels. If the Pistons continue to make moves to improve the roster, they can ascend to the upper echelon of the East. Raphielle Johnson: I think it's Detroit, for multiple reasons. First and foremost, the play of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren in their first-round series against the Knicks should excite the fan base. They are all young players the franchise can build around moving forward. Cunningham's new contract goes into effect next season, while Duren is extension-eligible this summer and Thompson in the summer of 2026. While there are decisions to be made regarding Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Dennis Schröder in free agency, the Pistons have the flexibility to bring back some of those contributors. Also, they have the ability to take a 'swing' in free agency or via trade that would not put the young core at risk. Lastly, they played this series without Jaden Ivey, and Isaiah Stewart did not see action after Game 1. Add the healthy version of those two to the rotation, and the Pistons are headed in the right direction. Kurt Helin: While Detroit is a great pick, I will take Orlando here. You can see a path for the Magic from where they are now to title contention because: 1) They have a clear identity and style of play; 2) They have cornerstone stars — plural — in place with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner; 3) They have a coach I think is good enough to get them there in Jamahl Mosley. Their need for another high-level offensive creator and more shooting are obvious fixes, although finding and paying the right players as extensions for Banchero, Wagner and Jalen Suggs kick in will not be easy. This is a team entering a 'win now' phase and this is a critical offseason for them, but I'm high on the Magic's future. Rubin: Definitely. The core four is incredible, but it's the depth of this team that will make them tough to beat four times. They'll be tested more against Indiana than they were against the Heat, but this team is built to match up with anyone. De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome are two players that would start on other playoff teams. They'll go as far as Donovan Mitchell takes them, but that doesn't mean he'll have to will them to victory like he has had to in the past. Johnson: If we base this on who's discussed in the mainstream space, absolutely the Cavs are being slept on. And it's unfortunate. They rolled through the East during the regular season and made short work of the Heat, but life will get much more difficult with the Pacers in their way. Kenny Atkinson has been the perfect coach for this group, and the additions of Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter have more than paid off. Evan Mobley continues to flourish, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland have been solid, and Donovan Mitchell remains the star who leads the way. This team is more than capable of winning it all this season, something we haven't said about the Cavaliers since LeBron was there. Helin: Among casual fans and on some of the biggest media stages, absolutely. The leap Evan Mobley made is not getting enough acknowledgement, same with the play of Darius Garland (the Cavs need him healthy), and the maturity of Donovan Mitchell's game this season. A lot of fans still see this as Boston's East to lose, but I came out of the first round watching the Cavaliers dismantle the Heat (it wasn't close) while the Celtics battled the Magic and thought the NBA Finals may well return to Cleveland. It's close. The Cavaliers are playing near their peak, Boston is banged up and not there. We're on our way to an Eastern Conference Finals showdown between these teams and the Cavaliers may simply be better. Rubin: In theory, sure. Boston is banged up enough for a healthy, well-rested team to take advantage. Unfortunately, New York just escaped a tough, physical, six-game series with the Pistons, and head coach Tom Thibodeau isn't exactly known for managing the fatigue of his players. The Knicks are talented enough to have a chance, but I'm more worried about the health of their players than I am of the Celtics. Johnson: Preparing for one game during a full season and preparing for four to seven games against the same opponent are completely different deals. That said, the Celtics are clear favorites in this series. Of course, the statuses of Jrue Holiday (hamstring), Jayson Tatum (wrist) and Jaylen Brown (knee) are worth tracking, but one also has to be mindful of Jalen Brunson's ankle. New York's more significant issue is the state of their bench, which provided little value outside of Cameron Payne's fourth-quarter explosion in Game 1 against the Pistons. Even if the Celtics aren't healthy, their bench is superior to New York's. Helin: No. That starts with the fact that the Celtics aren't the only ones banged up, the Knicks have Jalen Brunson's ankle and Josh Hart's wrist as concerns. Brunson has to be otherworldly just for the Knicks to have a slim chance in this series, he can't be slowed. Would the Celtics miss Jrue Holiday if he can't go, at least to start the series? Sure. However, that just means Derrick White starts as the primary defender on Brunson with Jaylen Brown getting a turn, and as Brunson drives the lane he's going to find Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford waiting for him. As the regular season showed, this is just a bad matchup for New York, nothing has changed about that. Rubin: Nobody has a great chance, because there aren't many advantages that any team can have against OKC. They're the deepest team in the league, with stars at every position. Nikola Jokic might be the only player in the league that nobody truly has an answer for, and if the Thunder have a question mark, it's down low. Jokic wasn't quite as dominant in the first round in comparison to other recent postseasons, but Ivica Zubac was a tough matchup. Jokic should have more success against OKC, and if that can open things up for his teammates, Denver should have success against a tough Thunder defense. Plus, the Nuggets are a battle-tested group that have played together for a long time. That championship experience could come into play here. Johnson: Full disclosure, I didn't expect Minnesota to get out of the first round. But the Timberwolves may be the team best equipped to take down Oklahoma City, regardless of who they face in the second round. Anthony Edwards backs down from no one, and the improved play of Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels were also factors in their elimination of the Lakers. Add in Rudy Gobert, who probably receives more disrespect than he deserves, and a bench rotation led by Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, and this is a group capable of winning the West. Helin: Before the playoffs started my answer would have been Denver. However, after seeing both the Nuggets and Timberwolves in person a couple of times in the first round, I will change that answer to Minnesota. The Timberwolves have the size to match up with and give the Thunder a challenge, they have high-level defenders like Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, and they have a superstar playing like a top-five guy in Anthony Edwards. Denver doesn't have the depth and their only hope is a full-series return of 2023 Jamal Murray, which I don't think they get. Minnesota in the conference finals two years in a row was not on my 2025 bingo card, but here we are. Rubin: I'm going with Julius Randle. Shortly after Minnesota traded away Karl-Anthony Towns to bring in Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, there were questions about how Anthony Edwards would mesh with the former All-NBA forward. Would one basketball be enough for them? The early returns weren't great, but they figured things out as the season progressed, and it culminated in an excellent first round for Randle. He averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 threes per game in the Timberwolves' gentleman's sweep of the Lakers. Game 1 wasn't great (16 points, seven turnovers), but he only turned it over six times during the final four games of the series. He was criticized heavily when he was in New York, but he has started this postseason well and will be key to Minnesota's quest for a title. Johnson: Ausar Thompson. While we watched twin brother Amen step into a prominent role in Houston, Ausar's progress in Detroit was slowed by a blood clot that not only ended his 2023-24 season prematurely but also limited his role to begin this season. What he did defensively in the Knicks series, not to mention his offensive work in the dunker spot during Game 5, and Ausar feels like a player whose reputation has grown substantially. I'm excited to see what's to come from him in the near future. Helin: Doctor, Doctor, the Thompson twins have been good. They have been king for a day… alright, enough with the '80s references, but they have done a lot for their reputations this postseason. Amen has shown both his high-level defense and has taken on some shot creation, showing his potential for growth as the Rockets pushed the Warriors to the limit. Ausar did as good a job defending Jalen Brunson for a series as a human could and his play helped the Pistons push the Knicks. They have been amazing. (Cade Cunningham solidified his place as a superstar in the league and could also qualify in this category.) Rubin: It has to be the Bucks. Between Damian Lillard's Achilles tear, Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors and multiple poor trades that have left this front office with few options, there seems to be only one path forward: trade Giannis for a haul. They don't have control of their first-round pick until 2031, but they don't have a contending team on the roster. Hopefully a bidding war will allow them to maximize the return they can get for Antetokounmpo, but they can't afford to wait. Regardless of what happens, a lengthy rebuild feels inevitable. Johnson: All three teams whose cities begin with the letter 'M' appear to be in serious trouble in the aftermath of the first round. Memphis hasn't been right since Ja Morant told the world that he was 'fine in the West,' while Miami had the look of a team that should have foregone the Play-In tournament and taken their chances with the draft lottery in its sweep at the hands of Cleveland. But Milwaukee is my pick here. They don't have many places to turn for help in improving that roster, especially with Damian Lillard (Achilles) likely to miss most of the 2025-26 season. Unfortunately, the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors have already kicked into high gear, and that's a brutal situation for a fan base in a smaller media market to deal with. Helin: While Milwaukee is a team at a crossroads, I think Memphis is in a worse position. Keep him or trade him, the Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, a top-five player in the world at or near his peak. The Memphis Grizzlies were built around the idea that Ja Morant could be that level of player, and guys like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane could be the supporting cast he needs. Morant is not that guy — he's good, an All-Star, but his transcendence comes and goes, we only see it in short stretches. The Grizzlies might explore trading Morant, but his market would be soft. JJJ is the best two-way player on this team and could get a lot more expensive if he makes an All-NBA team before his extension kicks in (there's a solid chance he does). OKC showed how far Memphis is away from contending and there is no clear path to make up that ground.
