NBA Playoffs Semis: Expert Predictions and Key Matchup Analysis
2025-11-15 15:01
As I sit down to analyze the upcoming NBA conference semifinals, I can't help but feel that electric buzz that only playoff basketball brings. Having covered the league for over a decade, I've developed this sixth sense for which matchups will become instant classics, and this year's semifinal round has all the ingredients for something special. The quote from our knowledge base - "Mataas yung expectations ko sa kanila, given yung ilang podium finishes nila" - perfectly captures how I feel about several teams still standing. High expectations indeed, especially for franchises that have been knocking on the door of greatness but haven't quite broken through.
Let's start in the Eastern Conference, where the Celtics and Knicks are set to renew their historic rivalry. Boston finished the regular season with a league-best 64-18 record, and frankly, anything less than a championship would be considered a failure in Beantown. I've watched this Celtics team evolve over the past three seasons, and what impresses me most is their defensive versatility. They're allowing just 106.8 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs, which is downright suffocating. Meanwhile, the Knicks have that gritty, never-say-die attitude that reminds me of those old 1990s teams. Jalen Brunson is playing out of his mind, averaging 38.2 points through the first round, and I genuinely believe he's the most clutch player in these playoffs so far.
Out West, we've got what might be the most intriguing matchup between Denver and Minnesota. The defending champion Nuggets looked vulnerable at times against the Lakers, but when it mattered most, Nikola Jokić reminded everyone why he's probably the best basketball player on planet Earth right now. His playoff averages of 28.2 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 9.6 assists are video game numbers. But here's what keeps me up at night thinking about this series - Minnesota's defense is absolutely terrifying. They held Phoenix to under 100 points in three of their four wins, and Rudy Gobert might be the only player who can somewhat contain Jokić one-on-one. I'm leaning toward Denver in six games, but if Anthony Edwards continues his ascension to superstardom, we could be looking at an upset.
The other Western Conference series features Dallas against Oklahoma City in what I'm calling the "generational talent showdown." Luka Dončić versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the most entertaining individual matchup we'll see in these entire playoffs. Having watched both players develop from raw talents into MVP candidates, what strikes me is how differently they dominate games. Luka controls the tempo like a chess grandmaster, while SGA's explosive first step reminds me of a young Dwyane Wade. The Thunder surprised everyone by earning the top seed, but I've got concerns about their playoff inexperience. In close games, I'll take the team with the superstar who's been here before, which is why I'm giving Dallas the slight edge.
What fascinates me about this particular playoff round is how it represents a potential changing of the guard in the NBA. We've got established champions like Denver facing hungry young teams like Minnesota, and veteran-led squads like Boston being chased by upstarts like New York. The quote about high expectations resonates particularly with teams like the Thunder and Timberwolves - franchises that have built through the draft and are now facing the pressure to deliver. I remember covering Minnesota just two seasons ago when they were barely making the play-in tournament, and now they're four wins away from the conference finals. The development curve has been remarkable.
As we approach these series, I want to highlight a couple of X-factors that could swing everything. For Boston, it's Kristaps Porziņģis' health - without him, they become significantly more vulnerable in the frontcourt. For New York, the minutes load on their starters worries me; Josh Hart averaged 46.4 minutes per game in the first round, which is unsustainable. In the Denver-Minnesota series, keep your eye on Jamal Murray's efficiency - when he's shooting well from deep, the Nuggets are virtually unbeatable. And for the Dallas-OKC matchup, the battle of the role players might determine everything; I'm particularly interested to see how Chet Holmgren handles the physicality of playoff basketball.
Looking back at my predictions from last year's playoffs, I was right about Denver's championship run but completely whiffed on Miami's incredible journey to the Finals. That's the beauty of the NBA playoffs - they constantly humble even the most seasoned analysts. This year, my gut tells me we're headed for a Boston-Denver Finals, with the Celtics ultimately lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy in six games. But if there's one thing I've learned covering this sport, it's that the games aren't played on paper. The intensity, the adjustments, the individual brilliance - that's what makes playoff basketball the greatest theater in sports. However these series shake out, we're in for two weeks of absolutely incredible basketball that will have us talking for years to come.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
