As the NBA regular season wraps up and the playoffs are about to begin, which teams will go all the way and which ones will fall short?

The 2025 NBA season has been filled with twists and turns—from the Luka Doncic trade to the Dallas Mavericks falling short of expectations—making it a season full of drama. This year’s playoff picture is shaping up to be more exciting than ever. The Cavaliers, who have looked strong all season, have secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Thunder have clinched first in the West.

The rest of the playoff teams have been decided in the East and are nearly finalized in the West. In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics, Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, Pistons, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Heat have all clinched playoff spots (along with the Cavaliers as the No. 1 seed). Out West, the Rockets, Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Warriors, Timberwolves, Kings, and Mavericks have all secured postseason berths (with the Thunder leading the way as the top seed).

Freshman Ben Mostoller says, “I think either the Cavs or the Thunder will win the NBA.”

Looking ahead, I’m predicting a Celtics vs. Cavaliers matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Boston advancing to the NBA Finals. In the West, I expect a high-stakes battle between the Thunder and Lakers, with Oklahoma City coming out on top. That sets up an electrifying Finals showdown between the Celtics and the Thunder. When it’s all said and done, I’m confident the Celtics will rise to the occasion, outplaying the Thunder in six games and bringing another championship back to Boston.