NBA · 6 months ago

Predicting the 2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs and Winner

John Canady

Host · Writer

7) Western Conference Finals: No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 1 Thunder
This is a matchup that maybe not everyone expected, but most fans will be excited about. It features two high-level basketball teams with different play styles and age groups.

Although the Lakers may have had enough to get to this point, it’s hard for me to envision that the Thunder will crumble in the Conference Finals, especially if they can get to this point.

Give me the Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals to play the Boston Celtics.

Prediction: Thunder 4-2
1) Western Conference Round 1: No. 8 Grizzlies/Mavericks vs. No. 1 Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies earned a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder after fighting their way out of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Although it seems like a bizarre price to win, if any team out there will take this battle head-on without fear, it’s the young Grizzlies team.

Memphis has the firepower to give the Thunder a run for their money, but it’s hard to see them overcoming an OKC team whose biggest knock is its lack of playoff experience.

In addition, if the Dallas Mavericks can get past Memphis, I think the Thunder will make light work of Dallas.

Prediction: Thunder win 4-2

Odds to Win Western Conference: Thunder -155

Odds to Win Western Conference: Grizzlies +18000

Odds to Win Western Conference: Mavericks +50000
2) Western Conference Round 1: No. 7 Warriors vs. No. 2 Rockets
The Golden State Warriors were on the short end of the stick in a tight Western Conference race after their loss in the regular season finale stuck them in a play-in spot. Despite that, Steve Kerr’s squad managed to get the job done to punch their ticket for a first-round series with the Houston Rockets.

Houston has impressed in the second season of the Ime Udoka era, but it’s fair to wonder if their success is more a product of Udoka’s coaching or the talent on the squad itself. The Rockets surely have the personnel to make this series interesting. Still, I also think the playoff performers that the Warriors have in Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III will be too much for the Rockets to overcome.

Prediction: Warriors win 4-2

Odds to Win Western Conference: Rockets +2500

Odds to Win Western Conference: Warriors +750
3) Western Conference Round 1: No. 6 Timberwolves vs. No. 3 Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers' move to land Luka Doncic at the trade deadline undoubtedly made them a championship contender, but in a different way. Pre-Luka, LA was considered a more than capable defensive team with productive offensive players around LeBron James. They have the personnel to be a dynamic offense, but their lack of defenders heading into the postseason could be a sign of concern.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have championship aspirations of their own. With Chris Finch finding the winning recipe for his retooled squad over the last couple of months, it's hard to imagine they won't give the Lakers a tough time in this matchup.

Nonetheless, this series could come down to the wire, but it’s hard to go against a LeBron James-led team in the postseason.

Prediction: Lakers 4-3

Odds to Win Western Conference: Timberwolves +2000

Odds to Win Western Conference: Lakers +600
4) Western Conference Round 1: No. 5 Clippers vs. No. 4 Nuggets
The LA Clippers have quietly built one of the biggest threats in the Western Conference following their flurry of moves ahead of the trade deadline in February. Meanwhile, the overwhelming morale around the Denver Nuggets down the stretch of the season is at an all-time low following the firing of Michael Malone ahead of the postseason.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Nuggets react with their backs against the wall, but even with Malone, it would’ve been hard for me to see them knocking off the Clippers with how well LA has been playing.

Prediction: Clippers win 4-2

Odds to Win Western Conference: Clippers +1200

Odds to Win Western Conference: Nuggets +1500
5) Western Conference Semifinals: No. 5 Clippers vs. No. 1 Thunder
This is arguably the matchup that most people expected in the Western Conference Finals if these two squads had stayed away from one another. However, running into each other in the second round means only one squad will advance.

In the regular season, OKC swept the season series 4-0, making it look easy in every matchup against the Clippers. The playoffs are a different game, but it’s hard to see LA overcoming that much disparity in a seven-game series.

Prediction: Thunder win 4-2
6) Western Conference Semifinals: No. 7 Warriors vs. No. 3 Lakers
All basketball fans hope to see a playoff series between Curry and James during this year's playoffs. These two squads have the potential to put together one of the best playoff series in the postseason, and it could go either way.

The Lakers will likely be the favorite due to the star power on the team, but don’t let the No. 7 seed for the Warriors fool you; Golden State has the personnel and the coaching to knock Los Angeles out in this semifinal showdown.

However, if I had to choose a winner, I think the Lakers will be too much for the Warriors.

Prediction: Lakers 4-3
7) Western Conference Finals: No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 1 Thunder
This is a matchup that maybe not everyone expected, but most fans will be excited about. It features two high-level basketball teams with different play styles and age groups.

Although the Lakers may have had enough to get to this point, it’s hard for me to envision that the Thunder will crumble in the Conference Finals, especially if they can get to this point.

Give me the Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals to play the Boston Celtics.

Prediction: Thunder 4-2
1) Western Conference Round 1: No. 8 Grizzlies/Mavericks vs. No. 1 Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies earned a first-round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder after fighting their way out of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Although it seems like a bizarre price to win, if any team out there will take this battle head-on without fear, it’s the young Grizzlies team.

Memphis has the firepower to give the Thunder a run for their money, but it’s hard to see them overcoming an OKC team whose biggest knock is its lack of playoff experience.

In addition, if the Dallas Mavericks can get past Memphis, I think the Thunder will make light work of Dallas.

Prediction: Thunder win 4-2

Odds to Win Western Conference: Thunder -155

Odds to Win Western Conference: Grizzlies +18000

Odds to Win Western Conference: Mavericks +50000

Predicting the 2025 NBA Western Conference Playoffs and Winner

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