Just one factor appears sure within the West this season: chaos.
There are 12 groups – 13 if the San Antonio Spurs are to be believed – hoping to make the playoffs, however solely eight spots. There isn’t any margin for error, accidents that preserve a star out for just some weeks may tip the scales, and a few coaches will really feel their seats heating up firstly of the season.
The closest factor to a certainty is that Oklahoma Metropolis, Dallas and Denver will likely be superb, the Path Blazers will not be, however just about every part else will likely be lumped collectively. Let’s break all of it down.
Who’s the favourite to win the 2025 Western Convention Finals?
Listed here are the present odds to win the Western Convention, courtesy of our companions at Guess MGM (odds to win the title in parentheses).
1. Oklahoma Metropolis +300 (+500)
T-2. Denver +500 (+1100)
T-2. Dallas +500 (+1200)
T-2. Minnesota +500 (+1200)
5. Phoenix +1200 (+2000)
NBA Western Convention Predictions 2024-25
COMPETITORS FOR THE TITLE
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Minnesota Wolves
The one factor I really feel comfy with on this complete story is the Thunder ending with the No. 1 seed – they did that final season, then added two key gamers in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein (even with Hartenstein out till December with a fractured handIt will not gradual them down a lot).
The following three on this checklist may end in any order and, as you may count on, they’re all on the identical degree for a motive. With Luka Doncic in Dallas (my MVP decide) and Nikola Jokic in Denver, we all know they are going to be a part of the elite. I’ll add that I am much less assured in Minnesota (and virtually took them to the following degree), I am not satisfied by Julius Randle’s type, particularly within the playoffs (however Donte DiVincenzo may make up for that).
FRINGE COMPETITORS (WE HAVE QUESTIONS)
5. Phoenix Suns
6. Memphis Grizzlies
PLAYOFFS OR BUST
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Sacramento Kings
9. Golden State Warriors
10. Los Angeles Lakers
11. Houston Rockets
12. Los Angeles Clippers
The fact is that the 5-12 group is so clustered within the West that this group may end in any order and it would not be shocking. I predict that 5 video games will in the end separate the No. 6 seed group that avoids the play-ins and the No. 11 seed group that misses the playoffs altogether. It’ll be so tight.
Phoenix and Memphis belong in their very own “Fringe Contender” tier as a result of I believe their ceilings are larger than the remainder of the groups on this group. If Mike Budeholzer can get the Suns to play protection and Tyus Jones practices in addition to a few of us count on at this level, a Phoenix group with Olympians Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are authentic contenders (these are largely well being points, and final season, which preserve them out of the highest tier). Memphis was the No. 2 seed and a group on the rise for just a few seasons till it was parched by accidents a season in the past. If Ja Morant returns to type and Zach Edey can maintain down the paint, this could possibly be a prime 4 end. group within the West.
Every remaining group on this group has loads of expertise however faces robust questions: What does New Orleans appear like taking part in small with Herb Jones because the beginning middle? Can Sacramento get sufficient stops to win that many mid-range pictures? Who’s the creator of the Warriors’ second shot after Stephen Curry? Is JJ Redick as much as snuff with the Lakers (and might they get one other comparatively wholesome season from LeBron James and Anthony Davis)? What huge step ahead will all of the younger folks of Houston take? Will a return to a heavy dose of James Harden work for the Clippers (and what number of video games does Kawhi Leonard play)?
PLAY-IN TEAMS FULL OF HOPE
13. Spurs
Victor Wembanyama could also be sufficient to get the Spurs to the play-in single-handedly, and having Chris Paul as a reasonably authoritarian mentor will likely be an excellent factor for this younger group. They’re able to making the play-in, particularly if Stephon Fortress steps up like a few of us suppose he’ll, however there are plenty of good groups forward of them.
RELATED TO THE LOTTERY
14. Utah Jazz
15. Portland Path Blazers
Utah is not a nasty group, particularly with Lauri Markkanen on the 4 – he is an underrated participant – however they do not have the depth to problem on this West and can pivot to the lottery in some unspecified time in the future this season. Portland has already signaled its intentions, however it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how their wealth of younger expertise begins to develop and emerge as a real a part of the Blazers’ future.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
First spherical
Thunder over kings
Mavericks vs. Pelicans
Nuggets over Grizzlies
Suns on the Timberwolves
Semi-finals
Thunder on the suns
Nonconformists reasonably than nuggets
Western Convention Finals
Thunder on the Mavericks
NBA FINALS PREDICTION
Celtics vs. Thunder
Choosing the Celtics appears boring and secure, however they’re the one group that answered sufficient questions for me to really feel comfy choosing them. Nonetheless, if Kristaps Porzingis (or one other key participant) is not wholesome, a group like New York or Philadelphia may take his spot within the Finals.
I really feel extra assured that the Thunder will take a step ahead and are available out of the West – though Dallas returning to the Finals would not be a shock, the Mavs have improved this offseason – however I do not see anybody the West beat a wholesome Celtics. group. Not this season, anyway.
