Tank's NBA Conference Finals Preview

Eastern Conference Finals

• 3. New York Knicks vs. 4. Indiana Pacers
• Knicks in Six

These two teams met in the second round last year, with the Pacers winning a seven-game war. The series went back and forth as the Knicks, hobbled by injuries, eventually ran out of gas. The Knicks are coming into this year's showdown relatively healthy after stunning the defending champion Celtics in six games. The Pacers, meanwhile, upset the top-seeded Cavaliers in five to set up another New York versus Indiana playoff blood bath.

The Knicks won two of three regular-season meetings and are currently playing their best basketball, with Mikal Bridges finding new life after struggling through most of the season. The Pacers have also hit a second gear in reaching the Conference Finals for the second straight season. The Pacers' formula is balanced scoring with six players averaging ten points or more during the playoffs. The Knicks, meanwhile, rely heavily on Jalen Brunson, who is among the top scorers in the 2025 postseason with 28.8 ppg. For the Knicks, a secondary option is crucial, as they have had several players step up, with Josh Hart often being the heart and soul of the Knicks' run. There is little difference from last year's Pacers; they run and play similarly. The Knicks should have won last year, but by the end of the series, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Jalen Brunson were all hurting, and Mitchell Robinson was injured and missed the entire postseason. Robinson has been a defensive monster in the playoffs, where his free-throw shooting has been a liability. Robinson has been a beast in the paint and was often the stopper that helped the Knicks when they rallied from 20-point deficits in the first two games in Boston. 

The only way the Pacers can win the series is by winning the battle in the paint, tiring out the Knicks. If they are to win the series, they will need significant scoring efforts from Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. In the middle, the Pacers will need Myles Turner to be a factor, much the same way that Karl-Anthony Towns needs to be for the Knicks. This series should be intense and be a reminder of the Knicks-Pacers battles 25 years ago. Look for Jalen Brunson to be the killer as the Knicks return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 in six games. Through the first ten games, Brunson has 102 points in the fourth quarter, breaking a record previously held by Kobe Bryant. 

Conference MVP

Jalen Brunson, Knicks

Western Conference Finals

• 1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves
• Thunder in Seven

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season after dominating sentimental favorites the Lakers and Warriors. Once again, Anthony Edwards is showing that it is his time to shine, leading the way for Minnesota with 26.9 ppg, while Julius Randle has risen to a dynamic second option with 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. The Thunder had the best record in the regular season, and needed seven games to beat the Nuggets, but now stand at the brink of greatness. 

Leading the way for OKC is MVP Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, who has an NBA-best 29.0 ppg in the postseason. The best player on the court will be SGA, who is quickly developing into one of the best players in the league. However, Anthony Edwards is not far behind and has already proven to be a clutch playoff performer, taking the previously downtrodden Timberwolves to back-to-back Conference Finals. With two young stars battling, the series will come down to the secondary performers. One player who could decide the series is Alex Caruso, who has been OKC's secret weapon off the bench. His performance in Game 7 turned a ten-point deficit into a ten-point lead in the second quarter against Denver. Expect this series to go the distance, with home court helping to get the Thunder to the NBA Finals. 

Conference MVP

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Thunder