NBA Finals predictions

The 2025 NBA playoffs have officially begun. Our writers have given their picks on who will raise home the Larry O'Brien trophy in June.

Bronwyn: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics

I’m not one to like picking the favored teams, but after watching the Boston Celtics last two seasons, and the Thunders light weighted conference side it just makes sense.

Boston ran out the season on a 29-6 run since January 29th. Because of this, the Celtics were able to bench and rest up key players in the final weeks of the regular season.

This team has a clear lineup with each player matching up to their respective roles. With this, they have as good a chance as any to be the first team to repeat since the Warriors did seven years ago.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will pose a difficult task for the Celtics after having their own star-studded season, and a cushion to rest their starters towards the end of the season.

However, between Jayson Tatum averaging 26.8 points a game and Jaylen Brown following that with 22.2 per game their offense is too hot to miss.

On the other end of the bracket, I have the Thunder finishing second.

However, I just don’t think they are the second best NBA team this season, and just have the feather-light bracket to carry them there.

Last season they were upset early on meaning they do have revenge to play for, and with their first game either being the Dallas Mavericks or the Sacramento Kings who have both just had very average seasons it shouldn’t take a lot to get the Thunder’s ball rolling.

Nate: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics

This was my finals pick back in October on Penn State Sports Night’s NBA preview, and I see no reason to change it. The Thunder have been the best team in the Western Conference for most of the season and the Celtics have proven they are still championship contenders after winning it all 10 months ago.

Both teams should cruise to the conference finals. From there, the Thunder will have home-court advantage and the Celtics will either have home court advantage or be facing a Cavaliers team that they split the regular-season series with.

I give the edge to the Celtics in that series because of their playoff track record. It isn’t the most exciting matchup up but it will probably be the matchup we get.

Chase: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Although it is tough to pick against either of these teams, the Thunder should beat the Cavaliers in a convincing fashion.

It is no secret that both of these squads have been powerhouses this season. The Thunder led the league with a franchise-best 68-14 record. Not far behind them is the Cavaliers who finished 64-18.

These teams split their regular season series against each other 1-1.

The Thunder have proven their ability to not just win against good teams, but dominate them. They broke an NBA scoring differential record by beating their opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game. The record was previously held by the 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers who went on to win the Finals that year.

Between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring ability and the team's frontcourt defense, the Cavaliers will struggle to find success on either side of the ball. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 PPG this season which put him in the MVP conversation.

Matching up against him will be Donovan Mitchell who led Cleveland with 24 PPG. Although he has been notably efficient this season, his offensive impact doesn’t quite compare to Gilgeous-Alexander's.

The real difference maker in this series will be the presence of both Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Although injuries limited their time together this season, they have made this team unstoppable when healthy.

The Thunder found themselves in a similar situation last year with the No. 1 seed entering the playoffs before getting bounced by the Dallas Mavericks. With the defensive additions of Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, the Thunder will look for a much different result this time around.

If the Thunder can get through the wild West, they will beat any team they face in the Finals. They finished with a stunning 29-1 record against the Eastern Conference this year.

Their one loss, as mentioned earlier, was to Cleveland 129-122. The Cavaliers have proven to be the only team that can beat the Thunder which should make for an interesting series.

Chris: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Simply put, Boston is still the best team in the East and on their best night, the best in the league. They sit only 3 games behind Cleveland in the regular season (61-21).

The reason for that is because they don’t feel the need to show off in these first 82 games because everyone knows who they are and what they can do without them having the best record in the league.

Saving the energy of someone like Kristaps Porzingis, who missed a large portion of the postseason during their run last year, is essential for them to be at 110% in these coming weeks.

While they still have a great shot at going back-to-back, the competition is definitely stiffer this year.

As for the Thunder, having 68 wins in a stacked western conference speaks for itself. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander whether you like it or not is the MVP.

He’s the best player on the winningest team in basketball, shoots efficiently and is having one of the best individual scoring seasons we’ve seen in years, on par with James Harden’s legendary run a few years back.

Not to mention how he has an incredibly deep roster that he raises the ceiling of on a nightly basis.

Outside of SGA, the rest of the Thunder have the ability to win all on their own. Guys like Aaron Wiggins, Jaylen Williams, or Isaiah Joe who are a part of the second unit can give you a 35 point game or a triple-double at will when given the keys.

Looking at the two in a head-to-head matchup, it comes down to experience.

Boston, if they make the Finals, will have made 7 Conference Finals and 3 Finals appearances in the last 9 years during this Tatum/Brown era.

The farthest this Shai-led Thunder has made it is the second round where they were bounced in 6 games by the Mavericks who to their credit did make the Finals in impressive fashion last year.

Boston is just too ready and knows what is expected come June for the Thunder to handle, and that’s why they will come away with the hardware for the second time in a row.

This isn’t to say that OKC won’t get their title eventually, but this isn’t the year.

Winner: Boston Celtics (4-2)

Nate Johns is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.

Chase Brosend is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email czb5975@psu.edu.

Chris Vadnais is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email cmv5562@psu.edu.

Bronwyn Liber is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email brl5354@psu.edu.