And as the 2018 NBA playoff picture starts coming into focus, so too does the race to be crowned champion. Each team competes for their place at the conference finals, and depending on the team, the odds of winning differ greatly. The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Oklahoma City Thunder are contenders. They are one of the eight teams still competing for the title. Whether an army of Brutes, Archons or Wookies, each squad brings their unique advantages and setbacks that will shape their path to greatness or demise.
The Boston Celtics now have a 46.6% chance of making it to the conference finals. On the field, their play this year has shown an ability to persevere and create magic, but they have a tough road in front of them. Their chances of making it to the NBA Finals are 27.1%. They have a 12.0% chance of winning the 2025 championship race, and they need to take advantage of every single opportunity once the playoffs start.
Strengths and Challenges of the Celtics
The Celtics’ success will depend on a number of things, most importantly their ability to play at a high level consistently on both sides of the ball. Woods has been known for her dynamic and explosive plays all year long. Yet they have to continue performing at a high level, especially against top competition.
In fact, above all else, rebounding should be their primary focus as they try to create an identity on the floor. The Celtics have to make a statement on the boards to cut down on second-chance points for their opponents. This will be important as soon they have to compete with higher performing teams who do this better.
Additionally, the Celtics will need their best players to step up to another level when games are on the line. The postseason demands peak performance, and they must deliver under pressure to fulfill their championship aspirations.
The Competitive Landscape
One of the teams hoping to knock the Celtics off their perch in the playoff race is the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have to be better on the glass if they want to make a deeper run. Their rebounding struggles will make it hard for them to win games vs teams with a better frontcourt on both ends.
The Indiana Pacers have quickly transitioned into a legitimate title contender. For months they’ve been playing with the skill and intensity of an elite team. They have a 77.9% chance of making the conference finals. That’s a 37.0% chance of their reaching the NBA Finals, making them as dangerous as they come. Their performances have proven them to be tenacious and skillful players on both sides of the ball.
Even with a 12.8% odds of winning the 2025 title, the Pacers are hopeful about their ongoing postseason run. They know that every match matters, and staying sharp in this hyper-competitive field of play will be important.
A History of Experience
The Golden State Warriors might be better than anyone at translating all that high-level playoff experience into actual on-court production. Their legacy of success in the postseason is a competitive advantage that no other team can match. They need to use that experience the right way to make a serious run this year.
Their road to success has to include them taking advantage of matchups against teams who are inexperienced in the playoffs. The Warriors have the advantage of being powered by a cast of experienced proven performers familiar with navigating pressure like this. They’re prepared to implement strategies that take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses.
At the same time, the New York Knicks are attempting to signal that they, too, are strong contenders. They’ve got a 53.4% chance of making it to the conference finals. Ranked as having a 23.2% chance of making it to the NBA Finals, they certainly seem poised for a deep postseason run. As with many teams, they know just how much luck can decide fate.
Despite having only a 7.7% chance of winning the 2025 title, the Knicks remain hopeful as they aim for an extended playoff run. What they’ll be looking to establish is some solid winning momentum and ever-important squad, lineup, and strategic chemistry as they get deeper into the bracketed grind.
Rising Stars and Historical Performance
One team that’s been impossible to miss this season is the Oklahoma City Thunder. To accommodate those losses, they’ve broken the NBA record with a point differential of plus-12.9 per game. This amazing achievement serves to underscore their astounding offensive efficiency and defensive supremacy. All-star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has further contributed to their success. Under his leadership, they’ve weathered challenges, and he has been an invaluable force behind their success.
The Thunder featured the best defense in NBA history as recently as this last season. This aggressiveness has proven to be a huge advantage for them in close postseason games. It’s their ability to control games defensively that lets them dictate tempo and one of the fewest shot opportunities to opponents.
As they enter the playoffs, Oklahoma City’s combination of offensive firepower and elite defensive capability positions them as legitimate contenders for the title.
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