Keypoints Summary: Thunder Top NBA Playoff Predictions
- Thunder now clear favorites to win NBA Finals โ Thunder Top NBA Playoff Predictions
- Celtics storm back to force Game 6 vs. Knicks
- Timberwolves advance, await West Finals matchup
- Pacers await East Final opponent (Celtics or Knicks)
- Betting odds shift: Thunder favored, Knicks ahead of Celtics
- Round 3 playoff schedule taking shape
NBA Playoffs Heat Up: Thunder Lead Predictions, Celtics Not Done Yet
The race to the NBA Championship is getting hotter by the minute! With just six teams left, the 2025 NBA Playoffs have turned into a wild ride packed with surprises, comebacks, injuries, and pure basketball chaos.
At the top of the list? The Oklahoma City Thunder. After a stunning run, theyโre now the top favorites to take it allโand they could punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals tonight.
Meanwhile in the East, Boston isnโt done yet. The Celtics clawed back with a huge Game 5 win over the Knicks and are now only one game away from forcing a dramatic Game 7 back in Beantown.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Letโs break down the madness:
Western Conference
- Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to West Finals after crushing the Warriors 4-1
- Oklahoma City Thunder lead Denver 3-2, could finish it TONIGHT in Game 6
- Winner of Thunder vs. Nuggets will face Timberwolves for a Finals berth
Eastern Conference
- Indiana Pacers already in the East Finals after shocking Cleveland 4-1
- Celtics vs. Knicks is the series to watch: New York leads 3-2, Game 6 is Friday in MSG
NEWEST US LIVE NBA FINALS PREDICTION
The latest picks from the experts at US LIVE just droppedโand theyโve got bold takes on whoโs going all the way.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Semi-Finals:
- Pacers vs. Cavaliers โ Pacers WIN 4-1
- Celtics vs. Knicks โ New Prediction: Celtics WIN 4-3
East Finals:
- Pacers vs. Celtics โ Celtics WIN 4-2
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Semi-Finals:
- Timberwolves vs. Warriors โ Timberwolves WIN 4-1
- Thunder vs. Nuggets โ New Prediction: Thunder WIN 4-3
West Finals:
- Thunder vs. Timberwolves โ Thunder WIN 4-1
NBA CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS:
- Thunder vs. Celtics โ Thunder WIN 4-2
The Betting Odds: Thunder Rule the Market!
Fresh from BetMGM, the latest odds are inโand they show where the smart money is going.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (-135) โ HUGE favorite to win it all
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+550) โ Second-best after dominant run
- New York Knicks (+600) โ Still ahead of Boston, despite shaky form
- Indiana Pacers (+650) โ Surprise dark horse of the playoffs
- Boston Celtics (+1500) โ Comeback hopes still alive
- Denver Nuggets (+3000) โ Hanging on by a thread
How to Watch: Must-See Matchups
Thursday, May 16
- Thunder at Nuggets โ Game 6
- 8:30 PM ET
- ESPN
Friday, May 17
- Celtics at Knicks โ Game 6
- 8:00 PM ET
- ESPN
Conference Finals Schedules Are Almost Set
The NBA is already rolling out schedules for Round 3 โ and fans are fired up.
? EAST FINALS: Pacers vs. Knicks/Celtics
- Game 1 โ May 22
- Game 2 โ May 23
- Game 3 โ May 25
- Game 4 โ May 27
- Game 5 โ May 29
- Game 6 โ May 31
- Game 7 โ June 2
- All games at 8 PM ET on TNT
WEST FINALS: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets
- Game 1 โ May 19 or 21
- Game 2 โ Two days later
- Game 3 โ May 24
- Game 4 โ May 26
- Game 5 โ May 28
- Game 6 โ May 30
- Game 7 โ June 1
What to Watch Tonight: Can Jokic Save the Nuggets?
Tonight, all eyes are on Nikola Jokic, who scored a monster 44 points in Game 5 but couldnโt stop the Thunderโs late-game heroics. Heโll need help from his teammates if the Nuggets want to force a Game 7.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are riding high with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing like an MVP and a deep, relentless bench.
Prediction: Thunder close it out in Denver.
Whatโs Next in This Wild Playoff Race?
Upcoming Dates:
- May 18 or 20 โ Game 1, Western Conference Finals
- May 19 or 21 โ Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals
- June 5 โ Game 1, NBA Finals
- June 25-26 โ NBA Draft (Rounds 1 and 2)
Final Take: Thunder Rising, Celtics Resurging
The NBAโs next champion is taking shapeโand the Thunder are charging ahead with a vengeance. But donโt count out the Celtics just yet. With Tatum out, the rest of Boston is stepping up and they might just complete the comeback of the decade.
As for the Knicks and Nuggets? Friday and Thursday are do-or-die.
Itโs heartbreak. Itโs hope. And Itโs drama. And itโs the NBA Playoffs 2025 at full speed.
Stay locked on US LIVE for the latest playoff predictions, betting trends, game breakdowns and jaw-dropping updates!
