The NBA playoffs are back! The final phase of the American basketball season has begun. It runs from April to June. Basketball fans all over the world have their eyes riveted on the best players and teams on the planet. Here are our predictions for the NBA 2024 playoffs.
Our predictions for the 2024 NBA playoffs conference semi-finals
Here are our predictions for the semi-finals of each NBA conference. And this, after a first round that will have given rise to a few surprises…
Boston Celtics – Cleveland Cavaliers
On one side are the Celtics, unfortunate finalists in the 2022 edition of the playoffs. On the other, the Cavaliers position themselves as a scratchy team. The offensive talent of Donovan Mitchell is capable of turning a game. It’s likely that this series will come down to a fifth or sixth game. With home-court advantage and the benefit of collective playoff experience, Boston will clearly start as the favorite in this series. Our free prediction: 4-2 for the Boston Celtics.
New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers
A few weeks before the NBA 2024 playoffs kick off, very few people would have imagined such an opposition in the conference semi-finals. Both positioning themselves as underdogs, the Knicks and Pacers surprised many. In the previous round, New York defeated the Philadelphia 76ers. And not without difficulty! Despite several key players missing due to injury, the New York franchise was buoyed by its leader and playmaker Jalen Brunson. For their part, the Pacers took advantage of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to win their series against the Milwaukee Bucks. This match-up between two opposing styles promises to be exciting. If they can maintain their level of intensity, the New Yorkers should advance to the next round. Our prediction: 4-2 or 4-3 for the New York Knicks.
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves
The winner of this semi-final will start as the favorite for the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets and Timberwolves are both cut out to win the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Colorado-based franchise has home-court advantage. But also the status of defending NBA champions! The team in place is very close-knit. Winning on Denver’s floor won’t be easy. That’s the challenge facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards. Accompanied by Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the interior sector, the Minnesota team’s offensive leader will be looking to turn the series in their favor. To do so, they’ll need at least one away win. Our free prediction: 4-3 for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Dallas Mavericks
Having qualified for the conference semi-finals after coming from behind to beat the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6, the Dallas Mavericks have made a good impression. So did their opponents, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The latter crushed the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the NBA 2024 playoffs. This new match-up promises to be a mouth-watering, indecisive affair. With home-court advantage, the Thunder will start slightly bookmakers’ favorite. But given the Mavs’ current momentum, a surprise could well be in store. At the top of their game, the Luka Doncic – Kyrie Irving duo are capable of wreaking havoc. Nobody wants to stand in their way. Our free prediction: 4-3 for the Dallas Mavericks.