The NBA regular season concluded on April 9. There were wild moments littered throughout the season, with the LA Lakers taking fans through their roller coaster of a season, the Kings finally making the playoffs after 19 years and the return of the Knicks into the playoff mix. Nevertheless, out of the remaining teams, only one will be hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy in early June. Here are the five teams with the best chance to do just that. 

5. Philadelphia 76ers 

After a tumultuous 12-12 start to the season, the Sixers got back on track with the return and resurgence of All-NBA guard James Harden. While Harden may not produce the scoring volume of his Rockets days, he’s been more efficient this year and an elite playmaker next to MVP favorite Joel Embiid. Embiid has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the league in scoring back-to-back years while anchoring a top 10 defense. The downfall of Philly, though, might be their bench. With Tyrese Maxey becoming a full-time starter this season, they don’t have much bench scoring and Harden has only averaged 21 points per game on 55.7% true shooting without Embiid (61.5% with Embiid). Not to mention, Doc Rivers hasn’t made the conference finals since his time with the Celtics. 

Bottom Line: The 76ers have starpower to go far, but they would most likely have to go through the Bucks and Celtics on their way to the finals. While they could upset one, they’re not as deep as those teams and Harden’s playoff history hasn’t been great. They’re most likely a second or third round exit. 

4. Phoenix Suns

The Suns made the biggest move of the season trading for 12-time All-Star Kevin Durant. It was clear Phoenix wasn’t going to make a run without a splash move; they’re only 37-37 without Durant. But now, with a four-headed monster in Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Durant and Deandre Ayton, they have the most starpower in the Western conference. The defense may be questionable, as Paul isn’t the defender he used to be, and Phoenix traded most of their depth in the Durant trade, but they boast a 109.9 defensive rating with Durant in the eight games he’s played with the team. It’s a small sample size, but promising. 

Bottom Line: Phoenix’s toughest matchup might be Denver in the conference semifinals. If the Suns are able to defeat them, there’s no reason why the Larry O’Brien trophy couldn’t be headed to Phoenix for the first time in NBA history. 

3. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have the best home record in the NBA. After the past two seasons went downhill due to injuries to their secondary stars in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Denver has been the top seed in the West virtually all season. The reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic is having one of the best offensive seasons in NBA history. He’s nearly averaging a triple double on by-far the best efficiency in the league with 70% true shooting (12 points ahead of league average). Denver has the best offense in the league, but their defense is middle of the pack. However, they flashed elite defense in their matchup against Milwaukee, where Giannis Antetokounmpo mustered a mere 7 points on 2 out of 8 shooting in the second half. 

Bottom Line: With homecourt throughout the Western Conference bracket, Denver should have the advantage up until the finals. As long as Jokic’s defense holds up, they should be the favorites in the West and can compete with any team from the East.

2. Milwaukee Bucks

Going into last year’s playoffs, the Bucks were easily the favorite in the East. But a Khris Middleton injury in the first round derailed their chances and led to a second round exit. This year, Milwaukee is again among the top. Veteran center Brook Lopez returned from back surgery and was one of the top defenders in all of basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged a career-high 31.1 points per game. However, Antetokounmpo’s play vs. the top teams is worrying. Against Boston and Philadelphia, the former MVP averaged 28.6 PPG on only 53.1% true shooting (down 7.4 points from his season average). Guard Jrue Holiday has been questionable in the playoffs too, shooting only 39.6% from the field with the Bucks in the last two postseasons.

Bottom Line: With one of the best defensive rosters in the league and a force of nature in Giannis, the Bucks have a great chance to contend. With the way the bracket’s set up, Milwaukee won’t have to play Boston or Philadelphia until the conference finals. But Antetokounmpo’s subpar play vs. the top defenses is a cause for concern. 

1. Boston Celtics 

The Celtics rightfully deserve the top spot for not missing a beat after last year’s Finals run. They are the only team to finish top five in both offensive and defensive rating this season, finishing second in both. Boston has also dominated the competition with a 5-2 record against the Bucks and 76ers. And one of those losses was without their star duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylon Brown. Tatum became the first Celtics player to average 30 points in a season and Brown averaged a stellar 26.6. But the depth of Boston helps them the most. With a great 6th man in Malcom Brogdon and an extremely solid rim protector in center Robert Williams, the Celtics are able to go 10 players deep in their rotation consistently. 

Bottom Line: The Celtics have the best blend of starpower, coaching and depth pieces. While they might have to go through both Philadelphia and Milwaukee, they’ve dominated those teams in the regular season. Tatum still has to prove he can shoulder the lead scoring role consistently, but Boston should easily be the favorites in the East, and the entire NBA.