NBA Playoff Power Rankings: Who Are the Favorites to Clash in the Finals?

NBA Playoff Power Rankings: Why the Celtics and Lakers Are on a Collision Course for the Finals

There’s something special in the air every spring when the NBA Playoffs arrive—a time when basketball transcends the box score, and legends are made under the bright lights. It’s when the league’s elite rise to the occasion, and players like Jimmy Butler and Jamal Murray flip a switch, transforming from stars to postseason legends.

The playoff stage is set.

And while many are looking to the No. 1 seeds in each conference to make a deep run, I’m placing my bets elsewhere. I believe two of the league’s most iconic franchises—the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers—are headed for a dramatic clash in the NBA Finals.

It’s not just a nostalgic dream matchup. It’s a narrative loaded with history, championship pedigree, star power, and the kind of storyline that could deliver a ratings windfall for the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver. The Celtics boast 18 titles; the Lakers have 17. One more championship for either would tilt the balance in a rivalry that has defined basketball greatness for decades.

Why the Boston Celtics Look Like the Team to Beat in the East
The Celtics hit their stride when it mattered most. Boston won 16 of their last 18 regular-season games, finding a groove that makes them arguably the most balanced team in the league. They finished the season with the second-best offensive rating and the fifth-best defensive rating—numbers that speak to both their firepower and their resilience.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to evolve as one of the league’s most dangerous duos. Both have logged deep playoff experience and are more than capable of carrying a team to the Finals. Add to that a deep, well-constructed supporting cast, and it’s hard to find a weakness in this roster.

There is, however, one caveat—Jaylen Brown’s lingering knee issue, which sidelined him for the tail end of the regular season. Early reports suggest he’ll be good to go for the postseason, but Boston will need him at full strength to make a title run.

Last season, the Celtics cruised through the playoffs, winning 16 of 19 games. This year, they could follow a similar path, with the real test likely coming in the Eastern Conference Finals against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland has finally found its identity under Donovan Mitchell, but the Celtics’ playoff experience and defensive depth give them the edge.

Beyond the Cavaliers, no other Eastern Conference team appears capable of stopping Boston. The Celtics have the tools, the momentum, and the motivation to reach the Finals once again.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers Could Take Over the West
On the opposite side of the bracket, the Lakers present a different kind of threat—one built on sheer star power, veteran savvy, and an electrifying new duo that’s beginning to click at just the right time.

Luka Dončić, fresh off a Finals appearance with the Dallas Mavericks last year, has joined forces with the indomitable LeBron James, who continues to defy time at age 40. LeBron remains one of the top MVP contenders this season and is still one of the most feared playoff performers in NBA history. With four rings and 10 Finals appearances under his belt—including eight straight from 2011 to 2018—he knows exactly how to win when it counts.

Despite their partnership beginning just a few months ago, Dončić and LeBron have already shown remarkable chemistry. They feed off each other’s playmaking instincts, and when the lights shine brightest, that connection could prove unstoppable.

And don’t overlook Austin Reaves. Once an undrafted underdog, Reaves has emerged as a legitimate star and an essential part of this Lakers core. Many questioned whether Dončić’s arrival would overshadow Reaves, but the opposite has occurred—he’s flourished, creating a dynamic Big Three that defenses simply can’t contain.

The West is a Gauntlet—But the Lakers Are Built for It
Unlike the East, the Western Conference is loaded with depth. The Lakers won’t have an easy road to the Finals. But with their mix of veteran leadership and offensive firepower, they’re up for the challenge.

Their toughest competition? The Golden State Warriors. A potential series featuring LeBron, Dončić, and Reaves against Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green would be a blockbuster. The intensity, skill, and history between those stars would make for must-see television.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder had a breakout regular season, they may not yet be ready for the rigors of playoff basketball. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is elite, but depth and experience win in the postseason, and it’s unclear if OKC’s supporting cast is ready to rise to the occasion.

And then there’s the Denver Nuggets—the team that’s haunted the Lakers over the last two years. They knocked L.A. out in the 2023 Conference Finals and again in the first round last season. But this year feels different. The addition of Dončić shifts the dynamic, and Denver is dealing with its own internal shakeup after parting ways with longtime head coach Michael Malone.

The Ultimate NBA Finals Showdown?
If all goes according to script, the 2025 NBA Finals could deliver a showdown between basketball’s two most storied franchises. Celtics vs. Lakers. Tatum vs. LeBron and Dončić. A clash of legacy, tradition, and modern firepower.

It would be a Finals for the ages—and a storyline too good to ignore.

So, here’s to hoping that the basketball gods align, and we get a Celtics-Lakers Finals that lives up to the legacy of their epic rivalry. It’s not just about banners and rings—it’s about history, pride, and the timeless magic of the NBA Playoffs.