The NBA playoff picture is set, and the landscape couldn't be more different between conferences. The West is a powerhouse gauntlet, while the East appears to be a wide-open battle among four top contenders. Looking at the full playoff field, here’s a ranking of all 20 teams from 1 through 20, with some seeding that might raise eyebrows. All odds to win the NBA Finals are via DraftKings.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s quest for a repeat championship is proceeding exactly as planned. At one point, discussions swirled around whether they could challenge the Warriors' legendary 73-win record, but a 2-4 skid in late December briefly cooled that talk. Since righting the ship, the Thunder have been nearly unstoppable, posting a dominant 26-5 run. They are firing on all cylinders, boasting the league's top-ranked defense and the seventh-best offense, orchestrated by the inevitable back-to-back MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As the Finals favorites at +110, Oklahoma City is poised for another title run. Remarkably, they've reached full health for the postseason despite key players like Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and rookie Ajay Mitchell missing significant chunks of the regular season. The addition of Jared McCain has provided a crucial spark, adding another dynamic weapon to their deep bench.
The most formidable threat to the Thunder's throne is the San Antonio Spurs. Led by the phenomenal Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs showed no fear this season, winning four of their five matchups against Oklahoma City. While those games were over two months ago, San Antonio's form is undeniable. One of only two 60-win teams, they feature a remarkably balanced attack with seven players averaging double figures.
This depth makes them a nightmare matchup; they can spread the floor and excel on both ends, ranking in the top five for both offensive and defensive rating. Entering the playoffs on a hot streak is crucial, and the Spurs are scorching, having won 18 of their last 20 games.
In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites to emerge and challenge for the championship. Coach Joe Mazzulla has done a masterful job, and the team has responded in kind. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will dictate their ceiling, the breakout development of key players and savvy trade acquisitions have given this squad an extra gear.