The NBA playoffs are already in the second round, and everything is starting to light up. Only eight teams remain in the hunt for the crown, but only one can be victorious in the end.
So who’s going to be the one?
Below is a ranking that shows what team is most likely to win the NBA Finals, from least to most likely. So without further ado, here are my rankings:
8. Utah Jazz
The Jazz looked solid against the Thunder, but one could argue the Thunder were just out of sync during this matchup. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are the focal points of this team, but they are going to need to play out of their minds in order to keep advancing through the playoffs. This team is still young, so inexperience will be a factor as well. Is this team truly ready for the second round? Only time will tell.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
If you told me that the Pelicans were going to sweep the Trail Blazers in the first round I would have laughed in your face. But they did exactly that. Anthony Davis looked amazing in the first round, but don’t get too excited: Davis is a great player but he simply can’t carry this team to a second-round victory against the defending champions, the Warriors. Davis is an MVP-worthy player, but one player can’t possibly win against a team with multiple MVP candidates. It was fun to see them sweep the Blazers, but their season will be coming to an end shortly.
6. Toronto Raptors
This is easily the best Raptors team in franchise history. Despite being the best, I can’t see them beating LeBron James and the Cavs. But can the Raptors change my opinion? Sure, but only if DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry up their chemistry together to a new level. They did finish as the top seed in the East, so if they can contain James then I could see the Raptors having an easy path to the NBA Finals. But I feel James alone is too much for this team and can’t see them getting past the second round.
5. Boston Celtics
It was very disappointing watching the Celtics during the regular season. This team could have been something truly special if it wasn’t for injuries, but it’s not all negatives for this team as Coach Stevens has done a solid job keeping the Celtics as competitive as they were. This playoffs has been a great learning experience for many of the players on the Celtics roster. The Celtics should be looking to next season: if all their players are healthy, other teams better watch out. The Celtics won’t go without a fight against the 76ers, but I see the 76ers victorious at the end of the day.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are monsters. I knew this 76ers team would be competitive, but I never thought they would be competitive enough to finish as the third seed in the East. #TrustTheProcess is the real deal for this team. It was a blast to see this young team compete, but being young is this team’s biggest downfall. This team doesn’t have the playoff experience like other teams do, so I can see that being a flaw in this team’s playoff run. It will be fun to see them play throughout the playoffs, but at the end of the day, they won’t make the finals. Even so, don’t count out this team in the long run. Once this team gets the playoff experience it needs, the 76ers will be the team that nobody wants to face.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
All hail the king. The Cavs first round series against the Pacers was a lot closer than I ever thought it would be. James had to go into his playoff mode to help his team get to the second round. If the Cavs want to continue on, he is going to have to play in that mode if they want to make the finals. Also, this is a team sport, so everyone on the Cavs need to show up as well if they want this journey to continue. Will they make the finals? I mean, when you have James on your team there is no reason not to. But will they win it? I can’t see it due to the two teams below.
2. Houston Rockets
What can I say about the Rockets? This is a team that nobody wants to play against. James Harden is having the season of his career and his on-court play with Chris Paul is literally perfection. I didn’t think that Harden and Paul would click quickly, but that’s exactly what they did. I mean have you seen them pick-and-roll? Absolutely beautiful. This could easily be their year, but there is one team that I think could stop them dead in their tracks.
1. Golden State Warriors
So why do I think that Warriors are the most likely team to win it all? I mean they are the defending champions and don’t forget their roster: Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are playmakers. Those three alone can lead this team to a championship. Many were concerned with Stephen Curry and his injury, but he’s back and you can tell he still has his swagger. If the Warriors get past the Rockets then there is no doubt in my mind that the Warriors will repeat as NBA Champions.
