What a first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs we saw.
The Golden State Warriors are contenders. Again. LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers look like they could make a run. The top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks bowed out. And the New York Knicks won a playoff series for the first time in a while. So much NBA drama, which we love.
All of that means we’re set up for some potentially juicy NBA Finals matchups that we should all root for. With the second round already in progress, let’s dig into the 10 best possible NBA Finals matchups, based on the highest level of watchability:
10
Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns
The idea of Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler getting into it seems like it would make for some good drama.
9
Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers in five, but that’s not the point. This would be the “20 million shots of Pat Riley” and “all the Shaq jokes” series. Oh, and didn’t that LeBron guy win with the Heat a while back?
8
New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets
This is sort of personal as a Knicks fan, but: What’s the best possible matchup for a franchise starving for a title that would lead to a week-long party in New York City? I think the Suns, Lakers and Warriors are more threatening right now.
7
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors
Draymond Green and Joel Embiid in the same Finals? Battle of the Trolls! Maybe this this should be higher?
6
Boston Celtics vs. Phoenix Suns
Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant in one of the better battles of NBA superstars. Sign me up.
5
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
A gift for the NBA league offices. You’re welcome, enjoy the ratings.
4
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets
I feel like we’re taking both Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid for granted. So, yeah: Let’s make sure the world knows they’re top-3 players in the NBA.
3
Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors
[Uses Bob Costas NBA on NBC intro voice] A Finals rematch for the ages. Celtics. Warriors. Round 2. Next.
2
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
A pure “holy cow this is going to be some good basketball” matchup. Also would be nice to see the Sixers win it all for the first time in 1983 when they beat … the Lakers.
1
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The NBA bluebloods go at it for a 13TH TIME in Finals history!
