All 16 teams in the NBA playoffs have a chance to win the title

Not that the NBA Playoffs in 2024 seem very open. NBA fans should realize that anything can happen in the postseason at this point, even though a superpower is hovering over both the Eastern and Western Conferences as the playoffs get underway.

There was an incredible run of upsets with the No. After the play-in tournament, the No. 7-seeded Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the conference finals, while the No. The 8-seeded Miami Heat unexpectedly made it all the way to the NBA Finals. The Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics have just been better than everyone else all season long. Is there another Cinderella waiting to happen this year?

It’s a good idea to assess the championship picture for each of the 16 teams in the final bracket as the playoffs get underway. This is how we would order the teams in the 2024 NBA Playoffs according to how likely it is that they will win the championship.

16. The Miami Heat.

The Heat’s prospects of going all the way to the NBA Finals as a No. Jimmy Butler’s knee injury dealt the 8-seed a fatal blow. Butler’s absence from the first round is expected to be total. No matter what head coach Erik Spoelstra comes up with, the Heat cannot defeat the Boston Celtics without him. The talent in Miami is simply not good enough to get past this matchup; they have been mediocre all season.

15. Magic of Orlando.

There is nothing wrong with the Magic’s excitement at simply being here. Over the previous three seasons, Orlando has improved from 22 wins to 34 wins to 47 wins this year—an incredible feat for a team coming off a protracted rebuild. With their ability to pass, shoot, and dribble, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have accelerated this team’s progress. Up until this point, Orlando’s defense has been largely responsible for its success. Jonathan Isaac is fantastic as a mobile big man inside, and Jalen Suggs is one of the league’s truly great defensive guards. This marks the beginning of what should be a prosperous period of time for the young Magic team.

14. Cavaliers of Cleveland.

It was a strange season for the Cavs. When Darius Garland and Evan Mobley suffered injuries in December, it appeared as though their season was ending. nevertheless, the group managed to put together a 17-1 run with Donovan Mitchell in the middle of more scoring. Since getting healthy, Cleveland hasn’t appeared quite as good. Though Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both excellent individually, there are still challenges when playing them together. The same is true when playing Garland and Mitchell. Cleveland’s hopes were somewhat dashed as Mitchell fought his own injuries in the closing stages. This year, the team’s only goal is to win one series. That’s what they should do, nothing more.

13. The Indiana Pacers.

Among the best displays in the sport this year was the Pacers’ offense. Tyrese Haliburton was leading Indiana to record-breaking offensive efficiency and pace. After that, Haliburton sustained an injury, returned a little too soon to secure a lucrative spot on the All-NBA team, and hasn’t looked quite right since. Without Haliburton performing at his peak, the Pacers offense is a little less frightening. Nonetheless, this team is now more formidable defensively thanks to the addition of Pascal Siakam, who has increased size and strength in the front court. Indiana’s defense has become less of a doormat thanks to Siakam, Myles Turner, and Aaron Nesmith. This team has a chance to pace and space its way to an unexpected run in the Eastern Conference if Haliburton can return to his peak.

12. Pelicans of New Orleans.

As the play-in tournament’s winners, the Pelicans destroyed the Sacramento Kings to claim the No. 8 seed, even in the absence of Zion Williamson. Although New Orleans’ only chance of making a deep playoff run is Williamson’s miraculous comeback from a hamstring injury, their size and shooting could still pose a threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. The talented group of role players on this Pelicans roster is insanely deep. This team’s hidden weapon is Trey Murphy III, who possesses size, shooting, and athleticism. One of the best perimeter defenders in the league is Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado makes the most of his physical gifts. Jonas Valanciunas needs to work on the glass because the Thunder are a very poor rebounding team. It’s difficult to believe the Pelicans have much of a chance without Zion, but if they can get him to play in his first-ever playoff game, anything is possible.

11. Los Angeles Lakers.

It appeared that the Lakers had finally found the ideal lineups around LeBron James and Anthony Davis as they played some of their best basketball in the closing minutes of the season. As a secondary facilitator and floor general who has hammered buckets of three points per game this season, D’Angelo Russell is having the best game of his career. Rui Hachimura has returned to his magical three-point shooting form from the previous season, connecting on 42% of his deep shots. Gabe Vincent is back to provide floor spacing and on-ball defense, and Austin Reaves is still a microwave scorer. The Lakers’ first-round opponent poses the greatest challenge. This team has a genuine chance to make a deep run in the playoffs if they were playing anyone else but Denver.

10. the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sixers had the top record at the end. They may be the seventh seed in the East, but they are still the second most formidable opponent in the conference. Everything hinges on Joel Embiid’s health, of course. If not for a devastating knee injury, he was on the verge of winning MVP for the second time in a row. Embiid’s recovery caused the Sixers to drop in the standings, but since his injury return, they have gone undefeated in the playoffs. When healthy, Embiid is among the top three players in the world, but it seems like he isn’t ready for the postseason yet again. De’Anthony Melton, whose on-ball defense would have been a huge asset against the Knicks in the first round, will also be missed by Philadelphia. If Kelly Oubre and Tobias Harris each win a game as a substitute scorer and Tyrese Maxey goes bonkers, perhaps the Sixers can buy enough time for Embiid to recover to full strength. It just doesn’t seem like the most secure option.

9. Milwaukee Bulls.

The Bucks ought to be much higher on this list, but their season has been subpar the entire time. Strange vibes aside, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf injury is the Bucks’ biggest postseason concern going into the game, meaning he won’t be available for the opening round against the Indiana Pacers. If Giannis can return to the court and perform at his peak, Milwaukee’s hopes are riding on him. Antetokounmpo is still, in my opinion, the second-best player in the world if that occurs, but the news of a 2-4 week injury came out at the worst possible time. While Giannis is out, Damian Lillard, who is having the worst season of his career, must lead this team to victory. Since being hired in the middle of the season, Doc Rivers has improved the defense, but this team never really found its footing. Right now, it seems impossible to even get by in Indiana.

8. Phoenix Suns.

Though the Suns’ all-in trade for Kevin Durant hasn’t paid off as planned just yet, there are glimpses of a formidable team in these brief moments. At this stage of his career, Devin Booker is such a well-rounded guard that he can run the offense like a point guard or go on a shooting spree from all three levels. Even at 35 years old, Durant still has a high release point that no one can consistently match, even though he has lost half of his step. As one of the league’s best three-point shooters, Grayson Allen has been scoring baskets off the glass all season long. Jusuf Nurkic has been a valuable addition with his ability to create plays off the catch. The team hasn’t been able to establish a consistent rhythm because Bradley Beal can’t stay in the lineup. Although Phoenix doesn’t play particularly hard on either end, they can outshoot anyone and have a lot of star power. Even though this team can be defeated, playing Booker and Durant makes for an extremely uncomfortable matchup.

7. The Los Angeles Clippers.

James Harden’s early-season trade to the Clippers gave the team new life and made them possibly the most formidable combination since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Following a dismal beginning, the Clippers experienced a wild phase during which they appeared to be the league’s third best team, but following the All-Star break, they started to regress. Who the Clippers will face in the postseason is a mystery given Leonard’s peculiar injury situation, which has clouded the playoffs’ early going. When the Clippers are at their best, they have a trio of elite shot makers that play off one another so well: Paul George can still cook off the dribble and get to the rim, Kawhi Leonard can play bully ball from the midrange, and Harden’s combination of playmaking and scoring is still potent. The fact that each of the three can shoot well from three points away after dribbling or making a play only makes it harder to rely on them. When you factor in Ivica Zubac, a legitimate 7-footer with a soft touch near the hoop, the Clippers become very challenging to match up with. Naturally, that only applies when they’re at their very best. It’s still difficult to believe in this team because of Leonard’s injury problems and Harden’s legendary playoff struggles.

6. The Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite being the largest team in the league, the Timberwolves have mastered the art of creating lineups that can stifle opponents with strength and length without sacrificing skill. According to Minnesota, the No. The front office’s plan for the Rudy Gobert trade has paid off in its second season, as the team has had the best defense in the NBA all year. This team plays excellent defense, which is not surprising given the presence of 6’10” forward Jaden McDaniels and athletic freak Anthony Edwards. In the most difficult circumstances, Edwards will be expected to lead this team, and the Wolves’ offensive line will always be the concern. With a touch for making shots, Edwards is the NBA Playoffs’ most explosive athlete. Even at the young age of 22, he will need to be able to make the correct choices on the court each and every time. Being a very talented 7-foot offensive player who still commits too many mental mistakes on defense, particularly when it comes to foul trouble, Karl-Anthony Towns is the wild card in this game as he recovers from an injury. The Wolves’ potential is dependent on how good Edwards can perform from the start. They will attempt to grind out victories and beat teams up.

5. The New York Knicks.

Under head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks hardly ever defeated themselves. On both ends of the court, this team is tough, physically fit, and well-organized. Finishing with the No. 1 spot after winning 50 games. Despite several injuries towards the end of the season, including star forward Julius Randle’s season-ending shoulder injury, the team has been incredibly impressive and is currently the No. 2 seed in the East this season. The catalyst is Jalen Brunson, a lead guard with incredible skill who can find his angles and get to his spots against any kind of defense. The midseason acquisition of OG Anunoby was a brilliant move that instantly increased floor spacing and added a lockdown wing defender. A constant barrage of physicality is unleashed by the Knicks’ big men, Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein, as they punish opponents on the glass. Even without exceptional top-line talent, the Knicks are a team no one wants to play on when you add in some fantastic role players like Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart who can fill in the gaps.

4. The Dallas Mavericks.

To acquire Daniel Gafford and P.J., Dallas pledged several of their upcoming first round selections. I. J. Washington at the trade deadline, and it has resulted in an instant upgrade to a team with a bigger ceiling for this season. Gafford gives Dallas’ Luka Doncic another potent lob threat, and Washington can take advantage of his size and strength to guard the basket and play a variety of offensive roles. The Mavericks, who already possess the kind of lone superstar needed to win playoff series, have been making every effort to assemble a championship caliber supporting group. At the moment, Doncic is an offensive engine that cannot be stopped. Every time he touches the ball, he puts defenses in an impossible position, makes flawless lob passes, and makes difficult stepback threes. The difficulty of double teaming Doncic stems from his ability to create amazing looks without a screen. They all know what kind of shot-maker Kyrie Irving is, and he has established himself as a second-side playmaker. If opposing teams can successfully trap Doncic, Dallas’ lack of big men to create plays on the short ball could be a problem, but this team is peaking at the right time and has a winning formula in place.

Three. Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder’s ascent from 40 victories to 57 victories and the No. What was most unexpected about this NBA season was that they were the top seed in the Western Conference. With the addition of redshirt rookie big man Chet Holmgren, this team now has a long and mean rim protector who can anchor the defense and, because of his ability to shoot three points, open up five-out lineups offensively. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the point guard, has an abundance of space at his disposal, making him nearly unstoppable. He is too nimble and funky for any one defender to stop. Jalen Williams, a strong second-year wing for OKC who can smash opponents at the hoop or beat them with a jump shot, is another ideal backup perimeter star. Despite their difficulties rebounding and lack of strength inside, the Thunder proved to be a well-rounded team throughout the season, finishing in the top five in terms of efficiency on both ends of the court. Despite their youth, OKC is already very good.

2. the Boston Celtics.

Throughout the entire season, the NBA’s top team was the Celtics. This season, they not only outperformed the field with 64 wins and a +11-point net-rating, but they completely outclassed everyone else. Alongside the league’s No. 1 transgression and No. 2 defense, this group fits all the criteria for a championship contender because of their exceptional balance on both ends of the court. The five-out offensive strategy of the Celtics features shooting from all over the court. Their drive-and-kick style allows them to create impressive looks, and they have the shooters to take them out. Boston ranked last. A percentage of field goal attempts made from three points range is 1 in the three-point rate, and No. 2 in terms of percentage points. The addition of Kristaps Porzingis has given Boston a new dynamic on both ends of the court: a 7’3 rim protector on the defensive backline and a prolific shooter on pick-and-pops whose shot is unblockable on offense. The elite teams in the West will continue to highlight Jayson Tatum’s clutch playmaking abilities, even though the Celtics should easily defeat the East. Boston’s breakthrough may finally be here if he can reliably answer the bell.

1. Denver Nuggets.

Despite losing Bruce Brown during the offseason, the Nuggets don’t feel quite as strong as they did in the previous season. However, there are still a few reasons why they are the champion heading into the postseason. At the height of his abilities, Nikola Jokic is the finest player on the planet. Nothing in the postseason has been able to explain the mystery of Jokic’s two-man game with Jamal Murray. Denver, led by Michael Porter Jr., has the ideal combination of supporting players to go with its stars. offering knockdown shooting, Aaron Gordon strengthening and lengthening the backline, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s ability to move between screens, close out shooters defensively, and space the floor offensively. The best players have always defined the playoffs, despite the bench being young and inexperienced. Without a counterbalance, Jokic is a matchup nightmare. As long as Murray maintains his incredible postseason record and everyone else stays healthy, Denver should be able to win back-to-back titles. Of course, they won’t be able to post a 16-4 record and win a championship like they did last year.