Open Thread: Three interesting Finals matchup possibilities
Fifteen teams still vying for the Larry O’Brien
The Memphis Grizzlies have been eliminated from the playoffs, leaving fifteen teams with hopes of nabbing themselves and championship.
Of those fifteen teams, there are three matchups that should pique any basketball fan’s interest and keep them watching through to the final buzzer.
Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat
The Heat are most likely to be sent on vacation, as early as tonight. But if the Heat can be the first team from the four major sports since the 2004 Boston Red Sox to pull off a comeback from 0-3, then they’d maintain that underdog status that carried them into the Finals in 2020 and again in 2023.
Since 2011, every NBA Finals sans two (2021 and 2024) have featured either the Miami Heat or the Golden State Warriors.
If (and it is a big IF) the Heat were to stave off elimination and face the Golden State Warriors, it’d be their first Finals as opponents.
In addition, this matchup pits Jimmy Butler against the team he shunned and said was not good enough.
Highly unlikely, but an interesting consideration.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks
Like The Warriors/Heat, a Finals featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks also pits players who were traded to give their respective teams a better opportunity for success. Minnesota vs. New York puts it to the ultimate test.
What better grudge match than knocking out the team that sent you packing.
Four members of the Villanova Wildcats 2016 NCAA Championship team all ended up playing on the Knicks. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart were there with Donte DiVincenzo in 2023-2024. Mikal Bridges was traded to New York July 6. From then until to October 2, the four former teammates were slated to play together.
Ultimately, DivIncenzo was traded to Minnesota leaving just three of the former Wildcats together.
The reunion was parodied in a March Madness spot:
The trade that sent DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, and Keita Bates-Diop to Minnesota also sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.
The Knicks won one more game this year than last, while the Timberwolves won seven less games than last season.
While a Finals featuring a six seed and a three seed may not be the most likely, but it yields better odds than the aforementioned Heat/Warriors matchup.
A Finals competition between the two settles unfinished business.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
Yes, this may be the most obvious and least interesting, but a Finals matchup between the Celtics and Lakers checks a few boxes.
For one, there can only be one winner, meaning that one franchise will capture their nineteenth title, giving bragging rights for at least one year. Both currently lead the league with eighteen titles apiece.
Two, it pits the reigning champions against one of the greatest players of this generation. The Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in 2022. They were embarrassed in 2023 Eastern Conference Finals losing at the hands of the play-in tournament Miami Heat.
Back-to-back title runs in the modern NBA is hard. The Celtics will most likely face a slugfest with the Cleveland Cavaliers to make it to the Finals. They will be well worn by the time the Finals start.
LeBron James’ 38-point game last Friday not only underscores his durability, but his immense talent. And the late season addition of Doncic only elevated the Lakers.
If experience outweighs youth and vigor, this 2nd seed/3rd seed matchup could happen. The last time the Lakers and Celtics met in the Finals was 2010.
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