The 2024-2025 NBA season is approaching its conclusion, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been the two best teams in the league from start to finish. The Thunder boast a record of 52-11 and hold the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Cavaliers have a record of 53-10 and lead the Eastern Conference.
Despite their impressive performances, with both teams holding a lead of at least eight games over the No. 2 seeds in their respective conferences, neither team is considered the favorite to win the NBA championship. That title goes to the defending champion Boston Celtics, according to ESPN Futures. The Celtics sit at 45-18, eight games behind the Cavaliers for the No. 1 seed.
While the Thunder and Cavaliers have the next best odds, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith hinted on "NBA Countdown" that neither team might reach the NBA Finals. Instead, he suggested that an upcoming game on Saturday night might serve as a preview of the championship series.
"This could be a preview of the NBA Finals," Smith said. "Both are the No. 2 seed in their respective conferences. Both of them have a crew enough to knock off the No. 1 seed and get to the NBA Finals and it's the greatest rivalry in the history of the sport. In the last game that the Los Angeles Lakers played against Boston, they beat them ... I think Boston is going to look to send a message this weekend."
The Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 117-96 on January 23 at Crypto.com Arena. In that game, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves each scored 20 or more points. The Lakers' defense was also effective, holding Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday to under 20 points.
This time, the Lakers will look significantly different. Davis has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Max Christie, who started in that game and scored six points, was also included in the trade with the Mavericks. Rui Hachimura contributed 10 points and seven rebounds in that game but is out with an injury. Additionally, Jaxson Hayes has been downgraded to "doubtful" due to an injury. On a positive note, the Lakers have added Luka Doncic, averaging 23.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game since joining the team.
The Lakers will aim to extend their eight-game winning streak as they face the Celtics at TD Garden at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM.