We are only a month away from the end of the regular season 2024-25 and the play-off photo is starting to take shape. With the race for the title heating, experts are starting to provide their first official predictions on which teams will conquer the NBA championship.
Although most of the attention goes to the Lakers and Warriors, TNT analyst Charles Barkley, after they were traded in Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler. During a recent segment In the NBAHe made a daring prediction.
The Hall of Famer stated that Cleveland, who currently has the best record in the Eastern Conference, is going to the final phase. “Man, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to the final,” said Chuck. “The Celtics, that will be a great series when they play the Celtics. But at the moment I am telling you all, and I told you to book it last week. The Cleveland Cavaliers go to the NBA final. ‘
“The Cleveland Cavaliers go to the NBA Final” – Charles Barkley 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/7jdpjc3pf3
– ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCLEVELAND) March 7, 2025
And he is not wrong, the dominance of the Ohio Club is unmistakable, especially now that they are not a 12th consecutive winning series. The team also has an attacking powerhouse, with All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.
With their Playoff location a month away from the late season, Barkley’s bet is safe. On the other side of the country we have Oklahoma City who leads the West, but the TNT analyst complained that all Buzz stayed in California. “The Lakers are doing great,” said Barkley. “Have a long way to go.”
Chuck added: “But the reason that the season has been great are the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. You just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers. They both do it great, don’t get me wrong. If I turn out to be wrong, I have no problem with that. But you are idiots that you talk about the Lakers and the Warriors all the time. “
The former Suns icon insisted that the best times of the NBA would get more attention. “The Cleveland Cavaliers won 12 consecutive games,” Barkley added. “Oklahoma City has the MVP and they are on fire. You are talking about who is in second place. That is the reason I get angry. “
