This past Friday, my friends and I over at “Just The BetSlips” published the seventh episode of our podcast, where we previewed the NBA Playoffs and the various story lines that will come from it. We dove DEEP into the possible match-ups that we are expecting to see this postseason, discussing every little nuance that may transpire from them.

EP. 7 of the Just The BetSlips podcast is LIVE!

The fellas talk about their;
–#NBAPlayoffs Preview
-Favorite #MLB Series Of The Week
-Proudly partnered with @FansFirstSN

Check us out every Friday for the best gambling content around! #GamblingX

Spotify: https://t.co/Z2ib2py8Sz pic.twitter.com/dl2iHnaFN9

— JustTheBetslips (@JustTheBetSlips) April 11, 2025

It was a great time had by all, and something that ANY basketball fan can enjoy. But to celebrate the impending games, and the conversations that we had, I thought it would be fun to relive the selections that I brought to the program. I thought it would be a great idea to dive deep into my “takes,” to see what all of YOU think of them.

1. The Detroit Pistons Could Be A “Fun Watch”

Let’s cut to the chase here; do I see the Pistons going all of the way this season? Absolutely not! There is far too much talent snooping around the Eastern Conference, to the point where a ‘Cinderella-like run’ from the worst team in the league last season just seems like a long-shot. It just seems like a moment that was made for an “inspirational sports movie.”

But in reality; will JB Bickerstaff’s bunch just roll over and die as soon as the postseason starts? Not a chance in HELL! This team is basically playing with “house money” right now, jumping from a league-worst 14-68 record last season, to a sixth-seeded 44-38 squad. They are a young and scrappy team that’s looking to make a name for itself in 2025, and facing a Knicks squad that they’re 3-1 against this season could be the ticket they need to make a “splash!”

2. The Denver Nuggets Are My ‘Dark Horse’ Of The Postseason

The Denver Nuggets are weird. They are so weird. Their organization is just two years removed from a championship, and are poised to make another run in a rather weak Western Conference. But for some reason, out of nowhere……they decided to fire their leader. They decided to toss their Head Coach, Mike Malone, out the door. It was a moment that sent shock waves throughout the league, and made fans ask the question; “what the HELL are they doing?”

It was a wild move for the champs! But with Denver holding onto the 4th seed in the West (as of writing this)……I think this may be the motivation they need to make a splash in the playoffs. They already have a solid team, with the likes of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray leading the charge. Now with their leading man out the door? This could certainly cause a weird spark in productivity, to help elevate their game to the next level.

Will they go all the way to the Finals? Probably not. The Thunder are very stout, and have been all season long. But don’t sleep on interim HC David Adelman, and a squad who has been to the dance before.

3. Boston vs. Oklahoma City For The Title?

This may be a hot take for those of you living in the Cleveland area, but it is a good take nonetheless. Throughout a majority of this season in the East, it has basically been Cleveland and Boston…..and then the rest of the field. It has been a two-horse race, with the rest of the teams trailing FAR behind. But I just don’t see the Cavs beating out the defending champs.

I don’t! With a lineup that consists of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, to go along with the ‘championship pedigree’ that they already have established in the organization……a repeat trip to the Finals just seems like the only outcome from this situation. Sure, they may go to six or seven games against Donovan Mitchell and co……but the playoff experience should prevail.

Then, on the other side of the coin……..the Western Conference has been a bit of a one-horse race throughout the regular season. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been running away with the conference for some time now, sitting at #1 in the standings and 16 games up (as of writing this). Unless another squad can get hot at the right time, or a major piece of the Thunder’s unit goes does…..I can see them ‘cake-walking’ to the end.

It’s going to be another great year for the NBA! But in the end, as always…..what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.