NBA playoff predictions: Will Thunder beat Timberwolves in Western Conference finals?

We're down to the final four teams in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but which teams will emerge from East and West?The Eastern Conference finals figure to be a rock fight in the latest installment of the Pacers-Knicks rivalry.The Western Conference finals feature a showdown of two of the league's top stars in Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards.Here's how The Oklahoman sports staff see the conference finals playing out:More: Limiting Anthony Edwards is vital for Thunder vs Timberwolves in Western Conference finalsEastern Conference finals: Indiana Pacers vs.

New York KnicksPacers in six: The Pacers are hot.

Sure, the Cavs had some injuries in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but the Pacers just seem to have built big-time momentum in that series.

They've been waiting for quite a while, but the Knicks had a break, too.

Just seems like the confidence in Indiana is high.

Not that it isn't in New York (duh, it's New York), but the Pacers just had such unbelievable rhythm.

Hard to pick against them right now.

Jenni Carlson, ColumnistPacers in seven: What a pleasantly built playoff team.

A sound orchestrator in Tyrese Haliburton.

A rim protector who can stretch the floor like Myles Turner.

Bothersome wings like Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith.

More harassment and on-ball pop from Andrew Nembhard.

Indy is deep, offensively gifted and built for a run.

Perhaps it isnt in league interest to have the Finals passed between OKC and Indianapolis, but thats where we seem to be headed.

Joel Lorenzi, Staff writerKnicks in seven: This will be a close series between two red-hot teams.

But Jalen Brunson, the Clutch Player of the Year winner, will be the difference down the stretch on offense.

And the Knicks superior defenders such as OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson will be the difference on the other end of the floor.

Justin Martinez, Staff writerPacers in six: The Knicks have the best player, the Pacers have the better team.

Depth matters more and more the deeper we get into these playoffs.

The Thunder, Wolves and Pacers all have it.

The Knicks do not.

The NBA needs to brace itself for a small-market showdown in the Finals.

Joe Mussatto, ColumnistMore: OKC Thunder didn't 'leave anything on the table' in Game 7 smackdown of Denver NuggetsWestern Conference finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs.

Minnesota TimberwolvesThunder in seven: Take that blood pressure medication, Thunder fans.

This'll be another back-and-forth series that culminates with a Game 7.

These teams are just so similar in style, attitude and make-up that it's difficult to see either of them separating.

But hey, the regular-season games between the two were really entertaining, and both teams were dealing with injuries, so the series promises to be highly entertaining.

Jenni Carlson, ColumnistThunder in seven: My idea that this will go seven stems from the fact that Minnesota is far better equipped to bother the Thunder defensively than Denver, and has better depth low bar, I know.

My idea that the Thunder can win in seven stems from the fact that, while Minnesotas offense certainly isnt as bad as the general public seems to think, they dont have a star worth orbiting around/sending a bevy of bodies to in the way Nikola Jokic required.

Joel Lorenzi, Staff writerThunder in six: Minnesotas biggest strengths these playoffs have been its size in the frontcourt, its defensive intensity and its depth.

OKC arguably has it beat in all of those departments.

It also has this series best player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, wholl lead the Thunder to victory in six games.

Justin Martinez, Staff writerThunder in seven: I think this series is a virtual pick 'em.

Two elite defensive teams, two teams with depth, two teams with an A-list star who could be the best player on the court in any given game.

Minnesota has the experience edge the Wolves were just here a year ago but OKC seems like the more mature group.

Joe Mussatto, ColumnistMore: Thunder vs Nuggets report card: Give Alex Caruso perfect grade for thwarting Nikola JokicSign up for The Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage.

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