The Celtics have had one of their best years of the century. Their stacked starting five has looked unstoppable at times, and things just feel different from the past couple of years of great, but inconsistent Celtics squads. However, this season may become very forgettable if they are unable to put the final cherry on top and win it all. The Celtics seem to be in a very strong position, but will they finish the job, and who (if anyone) can stop them. Keep reading below to see my predictions for this year’s NBA playoffs.

Play-in Tournament

East

#8 Heat over #7 76ers

The Heat and 76ers finished just games behind the 2-6 seeds, and I honestly think these two teams have a better chance to make a deep run than some of those teams above them. The Sixers should have star big Joel Embiid back for this game, but I’d imagine he may be a little rusty in his first game back. To add to it, it’s hard to doubt playoff Jimmy Butler.

#9 Bulls over #10 Hawks

This battle of banged up teams could truly go either way. The Bulls may be missing Zach LaVine, but the Hawks are missing 3 of their top 8 scorers. I think that proves to be the bigger blow as the Bulls squeak by here.

#7 76ers or #9 Bulls

The gap between the 8 and the 9 this year is kind of insane. The Sixers just have far more talent, and I doubt this one will even be close.

West

#7 Pelicans over #8 Lakers

The Lakers are another team that seem to wake up come playoff time, but they continue to age and their defense has struggled all year. To add to it, a healthy Pelicans team is no easy matchup. Expect the trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and C.J. McCollum to dominate in a New Orleans victory here.

#10 Warriors over #9 Kings

The Kings have come back down to earth after exceeding expectations in the ’22-’23 regular season. Even in that season, the Warriors took them down in the playoffs. I expect more of the same here.

#8 Lakers over #10 Warriors

This game will be a media darling, but neither of these teams are as good as they were even a year ago. It may still be LeBron James vs. Steph Curry, but LeBron is approaching 40 and Curry has had to do almost everything himself for the Warriors offense. I’ll still take the Lakers supporting cast over the Warriors supporting cast any day, and I doubt Curry will be able to make up the difference as long as LeBron puts up respectable numbers.

Playoff Bracket

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#1 Celtics over #8 76ers in 7

By losing that 7-8 game, the Sixers kind of get unlucky and face the Celtics in Round 1. The Celtics of the past have had some choking tendencies, and if those continue that could open the door for Philly. However, if this Celtics team is going to go down, they probably won’t let it happen in the first round. I have them struggling in a game or two as they adjust into playoff mode but coming out on top in the 7 game series.

#7 Heat over #2 Knicks in 4

The Knicks have not looked awful since Julius Randle went down, but my concern for the playoffs is the lack of star power behind Jalen Brunson on this new look Knicks squad. They’ll face a Miami Heat team that has 2 20+ PPG scorers (one named Jimmy Butler), as well as Bam Adebayo close behind at 19. With Butler ascending into his usual playoff superstardom, this talented Heat team may become a mismatch for the ailing Knicks.

#3 Bucks over #6 Pacers in 7

This series could truly go either way. Don’t be surprised if some of these games set scoring records, as these may very well be the two worst defenses in the East. The Pacers have a deep roster full of capable scorers that should keep every game close. I expect the superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to prevail in the end here though, even if Giannis misses the first game or two.

#4 Cavaliers over #5 Magic in 6

The Magic may have a somewhat well rounded team, but it is going to be hard to succeed in the playoffs without a true superstar. Paolo Banchero continues to develop, but he’s not yet a match for Donovan Mitchell and a high-powered Cavs offense.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

#1 Thunder over #8 Lakers in 6

This being so close has more to do with OKC’s flaws than the Lakers being a serious threat. Aside from Chet Holmgren, the Thunder lack consistent contributors behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Against a lackluster Lakers defense, they should score enough to get by, but I would not expect the same fate in upcoming rounds unless Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, and Jalen Williams are consistently overperforming expectations.

#4 Clippers over #5 Mavericks in 5

Both these teams have some of the most talented, experienced players in the West. The question is how well they’ll be able to play together. It seems James Harden and Russell Westbrook have accepted their spot as role players in LA, so that situation is improving. Meanwhile, I would argue ball dominant guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are continuing to hold each other back. That dynamic will expose itself in this series, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Irving, a constant locker room cancer, forced out in the offseason.

#3 Timberwolves over #6 Suns in 6

Don’t get me wrong, the Suns are a very talented team and should absolutely make this a series. However, Bradley Beal has not exactly made a marginal difference for them, and the T-Wolves took a big step up this year between Rudy Gobert’s elite defensive performance and Anthony Edwards’ development into a superstar. I expect that momentum to continue into the playoffs.

#2 Nuggets over #7 Pelicans in 5

A healthy Pelicans team is no joke, but the Nuggets are just another tier up from them. They return most of the core from their Finals win (outside of some bench depth) and have performed at a similar level. A generally inexperienced playoff team will be no problem for them to handle in Round 1. 

Eastern Conference Semifinals

#1 Celtics over #4 Cavaliers in 5

Once you start to look past Donovan Mitchell, this Cavs roster seems a little bit shallow. The Celtics have 5 starters all capable of dropping 20 any given game. To add to it, they have some 3 point snipers on this bench in Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. The combo of these things usually proves to be a winning formula. I’ll take a Celtics team finding their playoff flow against a Cavs team with a depth problem any day. 

#7 Heat over #3 Bucks in 6

Giannis Antetokounmpo has never let the Bucks go down without a fight, but the Heat have seemed to have their number in recent seasons. The coaching mismatch between Erik Spoelstra and Doc Rivers will only emphasize that fact this season.

Western Conference Semifinals

#4 Clippers over #1 Thunder in 6

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be playing out of his mind this season, but the Clippers have 3-5 players who can perform at his level any given day. I think their lack of playoff experience and depth will show in this series as the Clippers continue their hunt for a ring.

#2 Nuggets over #3 Timberwolves in 5

While it’s not a guarantee, I would expect the winner of the Western Conference to come out of this battle of divisional foes. The Nuggets remain a championship-caliber team, and the Wolves have played at that level all year long. I think the experience of Denver will prevail in the end, but there will be some close games here.

Eastern Conference Finals: #1 Celtics over #7 Heat in 5

The Heat are just about the only thing that has stood in Boston’s way of total dominance within this conference over the past 3-5 years. However, in this rubber match, the Celtics come with two new stars in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. I like the Celtics to get the last laugh here and silence the Heat fans who have taunted them all year.

Western Conference Finals: #2 Nuggets over #4 Clippers in 6

The Clippers have a handful of experienced players with a lot to play for. However, the Nuggets have played together for much longer and their chemistry should prove superior here as they advance to a second straight NBA Finals under the leadership of rising superstar Nikola Jokic.

NBA Finals: #1 Celtics over #2 Nuggets in 7

The chemistry and experience of the Nuggets should prevail over less experienced teams in the West. In my mind, the only thing in their way of back to backs is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have come so close to winning it all so many times in recent years, and they have only continued to improve with each year of the Tatum-Brown era. They have had trouble with the Nuggets most of the year, but if all 5 starters play to their potential, there’s no challenge too steep for this team.

Feel free to comment with your thoughts, and let’s go Celtics!