SospiAnalytics Staff’s NBA Playoff Bracket Predictions

The NBA Playoffs are here! After an intense Play-In Tournament where the Warriors, Grizzlies, Magic, and Heat completed the final playoff picture, we’ve finally arrived at the most anticipated moment of the season. Here at SospiAnalytics, we’ve decided to share our predictions—this time guided more by hope than hard data. We encourage our readers to drop their own brackets in the comments section so we can look back in a couple of months and see who had the best (or worst) ideas.

Jesús

First Round: OKC in 5 / LAC in 6 / LAL in 7 / GSW in 6 / CLE in 5 / MIL in 7 / NYK in 5 / BOS in 4
Conference Semifinals: OKC in 5 / LAL in 6 / CLE in 6 / BOS in 5
Conference Finals: OKC in 6 / BOS in 6
Finals: BOS in 6

Thoughts:
The West is a battlefield where anyone could come out on top. I see Oklahoma as slightly ahead of the pack, but they’re still a very young team with a lot to prove in the playoffs.
In the East, anything other than Boston making the Finals would be a surprise. Cleveland has had a strong year and boasts a solid starting five, but I don’t think they can take down a seasoned team like the Celtics.

Key points for Round 1:

• Clippers on fire. In the last regular season game, we saw just how dangerous this team is when fully healthy. Kawhi and Harden looked like they were back in 2019, Zubac camped in the Warriors’ paint (as usual), and Kris Dunn was a relentless defender who also scored when left open. But will it be enough to take down the best version of Jokic?
• Lakers vs. Minnesota: Close but uneven. On paper, a very exciting series between two teams that finished the season strong. The Lakers, with their perimeter trio of Doncic-LeBron-Reaves, have managed to cover the gap left in the paint after Anthony Davis’ departure through a team-help defense (special mention to Finney-Smith and Hachimura). The big test will be facing Minnesota’s interior strength (Randle, Gobert, Naz Reid), along with the athleticism of Anthony Edwards and McDaniels on the wings.
• Warriors, in their element. We analyzed in a previous article how the arrival of Butler changed the Warriors’ outlook. Still, they suffered to reach the postseason, and had two playoff-like games against the Clippers and Grizzlies where we saw the best of Curry and Butler (or as Butler said once they clinched the playoffs, “Batman and Robin”). Their hopes will hinge on how well they’re supported: Podziemsky, Moody and Post need to hit open shots, while Draymond and Looney must hold the line against the Rockets’ elite rebounding.

Sospi

First Round: OKC in 5 / LAC in 6 / MIN in 6 / HOU in 7 / CLE in 5 / IND in 6 / NYK in 5 / BOS in 4
Conference Semifinals: LAC in 6 / MIN in 6 / CLE in 5 / BOS in 5
Conference Finals: LAC in 5 / BOS in 5
Finals: BOS in 5

Bracket Breakdown:

• Not totally sold on OKC. I’ll probably regret this, but their end to the regular season raised some doubts. I think they’ll handle Memphis, but the second round might be a tough hurdle.
• Boston dominance incoming. I see them as a clear step ahead of everyone. I’d love for the Cavs or Knicks in the East—or whoever emerges from the West—to stop them, but on paper, they’re the heavy favorites. Plus, they should have a smoother road to the Finals compared to the West, where the higher overall level could lead to tougher, more balanced series.
• The Clippers wild card. In a tightly contested West, I think Harden, Kawhi, and company could surprise people. Zubac has had a fantastic season too. That said, Jokic in the first round is a brutal challenge. This series might come down to how well Jamal Murray plays—he’s had a tough season, but seems to be hitting his stride just in time.
• Belief in Minnesota. After a rough year, they made the playoffs directly, avoiding the play-in. They’ll face Doncic and LeBron’s Lakers, who have a fragile interior game. It’s a great matchup. Can Randle, McDaniels, Reid, DiVincenzo, and the rest help Anthony Edwards carry them through?

From here on out, it’s anyone’s guess. Will we nail it or fall completely flat? Once again, we invite you all to share your predictions in the comments. Big hugs, and thanks for reading!