NBA playoff predictions: Are Boston Celtics, OKC Thunder still favorites after Round 1?

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We’re one step closer to the 2025 NBA Finals as the second round of the playoffs tip off with eight teams trying to advance out of the conference semifinals.

Jayson Tatum and the reigning champion Boston Celtics cruised through Round 1 in their chase for the franchise’s 19th NBA title.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder sweep the Memphis Grizzlies and will face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in a matchup of the two MVP favorites.

Here is how The Oklahoman sports staff predicts the rest of the NBA Playoffs will go:

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NBA second-round playoff predictions

Eastern Conference second round: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers

• Jenni Carlson: Cavaliers in 7
• Jordan Davis: Cavaliers in 6
• Joel Lorenzi: Cavaliers in 6
• Justin Martinez: Cavaliers in 6
• Joe Mussatto: Cavaliers in 5
• Jeff Patterson: Cavaliers in 7
• Jacob Unruh: Cavaliers in 6

Eastern Conference second round: No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

• Jenni Carlson: Celtics in 5
• Jordan Davis: Celtics in 6
• Joel Lorenzi: Celtics in 6
• Justin Martinez: Celtics in 5
• Joe Mussatto: Celtics in 7
• Jeff Patterson: Celtics in 6
• Jacob Unruh: Celtics in 6

Western Conference second round: No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets

• Jenni Carlson: Thunder in 5
• Jordan Davis: Thunder in 5
• Joel Lorenzi: Thunder in 6
• Justin Martinez: Thunder in 6
• Joe Mussatto: Thunder in 5
• Jeff Patterson: Thunder in 5
• Jacob Unruh: Thunder in 5

Western Conference second round: Rockets-Warriors winner vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

• Jenni Carlson: Timberwolves in 6
• Jordan Davis: Timberwolves in 5
• Joel Lorenzi: Timberwolves in 6
• Justin Martinez: Timberwolves in 6
• Joe Mussatto: Timberwolves in 6
• Jeff Patterson: Timberwolves in 6
• Jacob Unruh: Timberwolves in 6

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NBA playoff predictions for conference finals

Eastern Conference finals

• Jenni Carlson: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 6
• Jordan Davis: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 6
• Joel Lorenzi: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 6
• Justin Martinez: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 7
• Joe Mussatto: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 6
• Jeff Patterson: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 7
• Jacob Unruh: Celtics def. Cavaliers in 6

Western Conference finals

• Jenni Carlson: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 7
• Jordan Davis: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 6
• Joel Lorenzi: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 7
• Justin Martinez: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 6
• Joe Mussatto: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 5
• Jeff Patterson: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 7
• Jacob Unruh: Thunder def. Timberwolves in 5

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NBA Finals predictions

• Jenni Carlson: Celtics def. Thunder in 7
• Jordan Davis: Celtics def. Thunder in 7
• Joel Lorenzi: Celtics def. Thunder in 6
• Justin Martinez: Thunder def. Celtics in 7
• Joe Mussatto: Celtics def. Thunder in 6
• Jeff Patterson: Celtics def. Thunder in 7
• Jacob Unruh: Celtics def. Thunder in 6

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