The 2024 NBA Playoffs are now down to the final four with all the remaining teams featuring the uprising stars of the league. Jaysom Tatum, Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards are all looking to lead their respective franchises to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Dallas last won an NBA Championship in 2011, Boston last won a title in 2008, and Indiana and Minnesota have never lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy yet during their tenure in the league.

All four franchises are looking to accomplish a feat they either haven’t done in over a decade or ever since their establishment, but only two can get one step closer.

Here are my predictions for the NBA Conference Finals.

Western Conference Finals

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs (5) Dallas Mavericks

Though Minnesota won the regular season series versus Dallas 3-1, they played the Mavericks before they made key trade deadline moves. Around the deadline, Dallas picked up Danield Gafford and P.J. Washington, who have been impactful players during the Mavericks playoff run.

Throughout the postseason, P.J. Washington is averaging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 40.7% from the three-point line. Meanwhile, Daniel Gafford is adding 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and shooting 55.1% from the field.

The way Washington and Gafford have been performing for Dallas have made them a completely different team from the one Minnesota last played.

Additionally, the star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic seems to be clicking on all cylinders. During the postseason, Irving and Doncic combine for over 48 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists per game.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves do have the rising Anthony Edwards and a great defensive supporting cast, when Edwards is held in check offensively, his teammates don’t always step up.

During the series against the Nuggets, Minnesota was 1-2 when Edwards scored less than 20 points. If the Mavericks can force the Timberwolves supporting cast to step up offensively, they may be able to have some success.

Minnesota is a very well-versed team, both offensively and defensively, but if Dallas can follow the defensive template Denver showcased while maintaining stable on offensive, I like their odds in this series.

Prediction: Dallas over Minnesota in 6

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) Boston Celtics vs (6) Indiana Pacers

The Boston Celtics have marched their way back to the Eastern Conference Finals and look to be avenge their loss at this stage last season. Though they still seem to be the leader in the Eastern Conference, they haven’t addressed one of their biggest issues.

Going all the way back to Boston’s NBA Finals appearance versus the Golden State Warriors in 2022, the Celtics have struggled with initiating half court offense outside of Jaylen Brown and Jaysom Tatum isolation.

A cause for this issue is Boston’s desire to acquire defensive guards. Since 2022, the Celtics point guards have been Marcus Smart, Dennis Schroder, Payton Pritchard, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jrue Holiday.

None of which, outside of Pritchard, are viewed as offensive playmakers.

This has resulted in Boston experiencing dry spells offensively that eventually led to their postseason departures.

Issues with offense initiation and being without Kristaps Porzingis early in this series could be dangerous for Boston, especially against an explosive Indiana Pacers team. Currently, Indiana has seven players scoring in double figures this postseason.

Additionally, the Pacers are the #1 scoring offense shooting the best three-point percentage at 38.1.

Indiana does struggle defensively, but they have scored over 120 points five time thus far this postseason. Meanwhile, the Celtics have only scored over 120 points once this postseason.

If the Pacers are able to continue their hot offense start to this postseason and play with the same physicality they displayed against the Knicks, I think they can rush to an early series lead with Kristaps Porzingis on the sidelines and hold off the Celtics.

Prediction: Indiana over Boston in 7