Season 2, Episode 26- 16 Wins

In this week's special edition episode of "Diehlman at Halftime," I unveil my entire 2024-25 playoff bracket (including the play-in tournament). I predict series winners and the number of games each series will go.

Also, listen to the perspective of our featured guest, Josh Reynolds! (Follow him on X and Instagram at @joshreynolds24).

"Aurora" interlude music written by Jeff Kaale
https://uppbeat.io/t/jeff-kaale/aurora
License code: HJ6W88QKKUB00FNS

Intro/outro written by Larry Diehlman

Release date: Monday, April 14, 2025

Chapters

• 0:15 Introduction
• 0:56 Overview of the NBA this Week
• 4:03 Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament Predictions
• 6:27 Western Conference Play-in Tournament Predictions
• 7:58 Eastern Conference First Round Predictions
• 9:44 Western Conference First Round Predictions
• 11:29 Eastern Conference Semifinals Predictions
• 12:23 Western Conference Semifinals Predictions
• 13:16 Eastern Conference Finals Predictions
• 13:55 Western Conference Finals Predictions
• 14:37 NBA Finals Prediction
• 15:53 Josh Reynolds Interview
• 33:17 Conclusion

Transcript

**NOTE: Full episode transcript is below except the interview**

Introduction: Hello everybody, and welcome to episode #61 of “Diehlman at Halftime,” the NBA podcast that tops all others! I’m your host, Larry Diehlman. If you’re joining us for the first time, welcome abroad. And if you’ve been a loyal listener, welcome back! We have much to get to today and not a lot of time to do it. We have a couple sections to get into, but they may not be the ones you're used to hearing.

Overview of the NBA this Week: We have another head coach firing right before the playoffs! The Denver Nuggets announced last Tuesday that Michael Malone was relieved of his duties, and that assistant coach David Adelman would be the interim. General manager Calvin Booth was also shown the door. Malone was about to finish his 10th season as the Nuggets’ head coach. With a record of 471-327 in Denver, he’s the winningest coach in franchise history. Per The Athletic, Booth wasn’t too happy that Russell Westbrook continued to get playing time over younger players like Jalen Pickett. This is the second time in the last two weeks or so that a Western Conference head coach was fired right before the postseason, after Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies. Something had to have happened behind the scenes because neither of these makes sense.

As if it wasn’t clear already, the Phoenix Suns have officially entered poverty. Head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired Monday, ending his only season in “the Valley” at 36-46 and 11th in the West. They even missed the play-in tournament! Phoenix will go into next season with their fourth head coach in four years. Monty Williams finished his four-year stretch in 2023, Frank Vogel was fired after one year in 2024, and now Budenholzer. Honestly, who the hell wants to coach there with that roster and with no guarantee you’re safe after one season? The Suns have work to do over the summer.

In the last episode, our “Game of the Week” was Lakers @ Mavericks because of the return of Luka Dončić. The result did not disappoint. Luka went nuclear in his homecoming, going for 45 points on 57% (7/10 from three), eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Even though Dončić is now a visitor in Dallas, the fans cheered when he scored (although a lot of that could be Lakers fans that travelled). And there were plenty of “Fire Nico!” chants for general manager Nico Harrison throughout American Airlines Center. The Mavericks kept it close for a while, but the Lakers were too much in the end and won 112-97.

The regular season has come to a close. Out of 20 hopeful teams (including the play-in tournament), 16 squads will clash for a chance at the Larry O’Brien trophy. Only one will be victorious.

This week's episode and next week's episode are both special editions of the "Diehlman at Halftime" podcast. So [in] this week's episode, I will unveil my entire playoff bracket, including the play-in tournament.

This episode is entitled "16 Wins."

And to shake things up a little bit: So, who’s looking scary enough for a title run? And please note: all predictions were made before the play-in tournament started on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Playoff Bracket Predictions

If you need a refresher or just don't know how the play-in tournament works, here it is. Ever since a few years ago, it used to be 1-8 makes the playoffs. Nine through 15, you're out. Goodbye. Now, the 7-10 seeds make up the play-in tournament. The 7-8 game and the 9-10 game decide the seven and eight seed in the playoffs. The seven seed will host the eight seed, and the nine seed will host the 10 seed. The winner of the 7-8 game automatically makes the playoffs as the seven seed, no questions asked. They will start on the road against the two seed. The loser of the 9-10 game is out for the season. They are done. The loser of the 7-8 game and the winner of the 9-10 game... will now take the eight seed. They will be on the road to take on the number-one seed in their conference. It seems a little confusing, but that's how the play-in tournament works. And it does make for some interesting games.

We're going to start with the Eastern Conference play-in tournament seeds. The 7-10 seeds in order are the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and the Miami Heat.

ORL vs. ATL- Yeesh, Orlando took a step in the wrong direction this season. The midseason injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner didn’t help. With play-in tournament home-court advantage secured, the Magic will secure a first round series with the defending champions. Verdict: Magic get 7th seed

CHI vs. MIA- This is the third year in a row the Bulls and Heat have appeared in the play-in tournament. Josh Giddey has been balling for Chicago lately, while the Heat are still recovering from the Jimmy Butler saga. See you next season, Miami. Verdict: Heat get eliminated

ATL vs. CHI- Two young teams battle in Atlanta, and the winner’s prize is a date with the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hawks always know how to underachieve, and it won’t change here. Verdict: Bulls get 8th seed 

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Let's go over to our Western Conference play-in tournament predictions. The 7-10 seeds in order are the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and the Dallas Mavericks.

GSW vs. MEM- Even with the arrival of Jimmy Butler, the Warriors find themselves in the play-in tournament. The Grizzlies axed Taylor Jenkins a few weeks ago in a shocking move. This is the time of year Butler turns on his “playoff mode.” He and Steph Curry will be in sync, as the Warriors advance to the playoffs. Verdict: Warriors get 7th seed

SAC vs. DAL- Sacramento doesn’t have De’Aaron Fox to rely on anymore. Dallas’ Kyrie Irving is out with a torn ACL. The big men, Domantas Sabonis and Anthony Davis, will decide this one. Davis has what it takes to keep the Mavericks from the chopping block.  Verdict: Kings get eliminated

MEM vs. DAL- It’s crazy how a Finals contender a year ago is treading water in the play-in tournament (due to a variety of reasons). Despite their struggles, the Mavericks have a great, young core. Ja Morant will drop the grenade and pick up an “L.” Verdict: Mavericks get 8th seed 

Bracket Predictions: First Round

CLE vs. CHI- Many have doubted the Cavaliers, even with their impressive run this season. They’re looking to avenge their second round exit to Boston in last year’s postseason. I can see Chicago keeping things close before Cleveland slams the door shut. Verdict: Cavaliers in 6

BOS vs. ORL- Unless you’re a Magic fan, or you enjoy betting on underdogs, you’d be quite mistaken to go against the Boston Celtics in the first round. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be more than enough to get by Orlando’s young core. This series won’t last long. Verdict: Celtics in 5

NYK vs. DET- Ooh, this should be fun. The inexperienced Pistons shocked the world with their turnaround. They come into this series at 0-14 in their last 14 playoff games, last winning in 2008. But, it was nice for Detroit while it lasted. Verdict: Knicks in 6

IND vs. MIL- This is a first round rematch from last year, where the Pacers won in six. Indiana has a high-flying offense, and Milwaukee has Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the Bucks severely underachieving in the last few playoffs, it’s time for them to get out of the first round. Verdict: Bucks in 7

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OKC vs. DAL- You guys realize that Oklahoma City’s reign of terror is only starting, right? This will be a yearly occurrence. The Mavericks are able to clinch a home game before the Thunder put the Mavericks out of their misery (and with the way this season has gone, that might not be a bad thing). Verdict: Thunder in 5

HOU vs. GSW- Boy, times have changed for this throwback series, when James Harden took on the Kevin Durant super team Warriors. Now, we have an explosive Houston team against an aging Golden State. The Rockets finally banish the Warriors to advance. Verdict: Rockets in 5

LAL vs. MIN- Facing LeBron James in the postseason is scary. Facing Luka Dončić in the postseason is scary. Facing both simultaneously is lethal. The Timberwolves will be an unfortunate casualty in this series. Verdict: Lakers in 6

DEN vs. LAC- Nikola Jokić on one side; James Harden and Kawhi Leonard on the other. And Kawhi is healthy for once! L.A. has been on fire as winners of their last eight. Denver told head coach Mike Malone to hit the road last week. The Clippers will tell the Nuggets the same, as we have a first-round upset. Verdict: Clippers in 7

Bracket Predictions: Semifinals

CLE vs. MIL- Cleveland’s true test begins here. The second round can be defined as “weeding out the frauds that made it past the first round.” Cleveland will be doing the weeding. Behind Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers punch their ticket to the Conference Finals. Verdict: Cavaliers in 6

BOS vs. NYK- Stop me if you’ve heard this one: the Knicks have struggled this season against teams with winning records. This doesn’t translate well starting in April. Even with the core the Knicks possess, their journey stops here. At least New York can look forward to the Mets’ season. Verdict: Celtics in 5

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OKC vs. LAC- Two of the hottest teams in the NBA meet up in the second round. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company have decimated their opponents. L.A. will put up a strong fight before bowing out to their overlords. Verdict: Thunder in 6

HOU vs. LAL- The Thunder were in this spot last year. Up-and-coming, exceeded expectations, hosting playoff series. It’s the Rockets’ turn to experience heartbreak and learn from mistakes. I smell a gentleman’s sweep. Verdict: Lakers in 5

Bracket Predictions: Conference Finals

CLE vs. BOS- A meeting of the top two Eastern Conference seeds. One will represent the conference in the NBA Finals. While Cleveland ran away with the number-one seed early, the Celtics slowly caught up. Give me the team with more experience every day and twice on Sunday. Verdict: Celtics in 6

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OKC vs. LAL- MVP candidates galore fill this matchup. Oklahoma City has depth that very few teams, if any, match. L.A. has the star power with veteran experience. I’ll make an exception to the “experience trumps youth” saying. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes his statement. Verdict: Thunder in 7

Bracket Predictions: Finals

OKC vs. BOS- I think most fans are expecting this to be the result of the playoffs (or you could say it’s “What a fan wants, what a fan needs”). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren vs. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is must-see basketball. The 2017-18 Warriors were the last team to claim back-to-back titles. The Celtics will keep the Larry O’Brien trophy in Boston. Verdict: Celtics in 6 

Let the craziness begin!

Interview Segue: To get more insight into our trade deadline special this week, we have our 12th guest on “Diehlman at Halftime” season two. Let’s get into it!

Josh Reynolds Interview

**NOTE: Interview was recorded before the regular season ended on Sunday, April 13, 2025

Conclusion: Well, that’s all the time we have for today. If you haven’t already, make sure to follow me on social media. I have two X (or Twitter) accounts and two Instagram accounts. The podcast accounts are under @Diehlman_NBA for both X and Instagram. My personal X account is @LarryDiehlman18, and my personal Instagram is @mr_sports18. They’re also in the description on Buzzsprout, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And thank you to Josh Reynolds for being our guest this week on the podcast. Remember, you can follow him on X and Instagram @joshreynolds24. And don’t forget to spread the word about “Diehlman at Halftime!” As we said earlier in the episode, next week's episode is also a special edition. Next week, we will go over my power rankings predictions. Remember from the first episode this season, I ranked all 30 teams 1-30. So now, next week, we will see how good...or bad, I did. So make sure you tune into that. See you next time, fellow hoops fans!