NBA 2025 Playoff Favorites: Who Is in Contention for the Title?

By Edcel Panganiban June 09, 2025 09:37

As the 2024-25 NBA playoffs approach, sportsbooks and fans are buzzing about which teams will emerge as legitimate threats. With analytics, injuries, and momentum shaping perceptions, it's clear that game odds tell only part of the story. While those testing their luck with roulette casino sites enjoy odds and payouts, basketball fans weigh matchups, depth, and star power. This season’s landscape features a healthy mix of traditional powerhouses and young contenders, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.

Top Seeded Contenders: Oklahoma City Thunder & Cleveland Cavaliers

Teams entering the playoffs with a top seed have a strong historical edge. In 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder topped the league with a 68–14 record, marking their best season since rebranding from the Seattle SuperSonics. They clinched both the Northwest Division and the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the East at 64–18, claiming the top Eastern seed for the first time without LeBron James.

Comparison: Top Seeds

Team	Record	Conference	Key Strengths
Thunder	68–14	Western #1	MVP-led (S.G-A), elite defense
Cavaliers	64–18	Eastern #1	Balanced roster, strong starting five

Oklahoma City's dominance is fueled by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a fierce defense under Coach Mark Daigneault. The Cavaliers' consistency across lineups shows a mature team built for postseason grit.

The MVP Contender: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

When your leading scorer also garners MVP honors, it’s not surprising your team tops the standings. S-G-A averaged 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds, earning him the regular-season MVP. As the driving force behind OKC, his leadership and consistency remain the focal point for their playoff push.

His performance spanned clutch fourth-quarter moments and pivotal playoff wins, reinforcing his status as franchise anchor. Expect his presence—and stamina—to be a major deciding factor in OKC’s championship hopes.

Other Contenders: Boston, Denver, and the Lakers

After the top two, a strong secondary tier is emerging from the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Contending Pack

Boston Celtics: Finished second in the East at 61–21. Made consecutive conference titles, fuelled by Jayson Tatum’s consistency and strong depth.
Denver Nuggets: Despite late-season staff reshuffling, Nikola Jokić led the franchise to yet another dominant season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Strengthened their position to clinch third in the West (50–32) with the return of LeBron James and mid-season signing of Luka Dončić .

These squads provide stiff competition behind the frontrunners—any one of them could make a surprise run, depending on matchups and momentum.

Wild Cards: Indiana Pacers & Milwaukee Bucks

Even outside the top seeds, teams like the Pacers and Bucks are gaining attention for their playoff upside.

Indiana Pacers clinched the 4-seed with a 50–32 record and reached the Finals, buoyed by Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch playoff performances and coach Rick Carlisle’s leadership.
Milwaukee Bucks, seeding fifth, remain playoff-ready thanks to veteran leadership and consistent floor control, though lacking the season-defining push.

While not favorites, those teams remain in the conversation—a well-timed hot streak or matchup advantage could change everything.

Odds & Analytics: What the Numbers Say

Bookmakers consistently place OKC as the front-runner. As of early June, their championship odds range between –300 and –625, while Cleveland is generally priced just behind. ESPN's BPI model also ranks OKC highest, followed by Boston and Cleveland.

Despite Indiana’s upset wins, betting trends still favor OKC. That said, high variance in exotic bets (e.g., series wins, player prop markets) show market contenders believe a deeper field exists.

Favorable Matchups: Advantage by Style

Playoff matchups are critical. OKC’s depth, defense, and scoring versatility give them advantages over faster-paced teams and those relying heavily on perimeter shooting. Cleveland’s well-rounded roster suggests resilience, with fewer weak links. Boston excels at adjustments and playoff intensity, while Denver’s Jokić makes them a must-scrutinize.

Less favored teams like Indiana and Milwaukee must rely on momentum and matchup anomalies—especially in early rounds where pressure masks skill.

Game-Changing Factors for the Finals

To win it all, teams must exceed expectations in three key areas:

Depth beyond the starters – Bench consistency can flip game 4s and 7s.
Playoff health – No star is exempt from fatigue or injury pressure.
Off-court readiness – Travel logistics, mental focus, and game-plan adaptability are often overlooked but decisive.

Franchises that manage all three—especially OKC and Boston—have historically advanced far in postseason runs.

The 2025 NBA playoffs are set with a promising mix of powerhouse performances and Cinderella narratives. The Oklahoma City Thunder enter as prohibitive favorites, but behind them stands a field rich in talent, depth, and unpredictability. As players like S-G-A and Haliburton take center stage, and teams like Boston and Denver look for tournament breakthroughs, basketball fans have plenty to watch. Next up—how player analytics inform live in-play betting markets and key game-day props.