The NBA's Final Four is now officially set, featuring a surprising matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, alongside the Western Conference clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. This postseason showcases a notable level of parity, with the Knicks being the most recent championship winners of the group, claiming the title in the 1972-73 season, while the other three franchises are still in search of their first NBA championship. As the Wolves prepare to face the Thunder on Tuesday night, we present some bold predictions for what promises to be an exhilarating series of games.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, several players can be classified as X-factors. OG Anunoby is anticipated to make a significant two-way impact as he faces off against former Toronto Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam. Aaron Nesmith also brings defensive toughness and versatility, which will be essential in limiting the offensive efforts of Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and others. However, it is Mitchell Robinson who may ultimately have the most impact on the game's outcome, despite not necessarily posting impressive scoring numbers. He displayed remarkable prowess in the Knicks' second-round series against the Boston Celtics, where he averaged just 4.7 points but contributed significantly in other areas, securing 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in only 20.7 minutes per game. Robinson's defensive efforts allowed the Knicks to achieve an outstanding plus-46 in his 124 total minutes on the court, overshadowing the performance of New York's starters, who collectively posted a minus-47. Despite the Pacers' victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, they ranked last in rebounding throughout the round, making Robinson's physicality pose a considerable challenge for Myles Turner and the Pacers.

In the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is emerging as one of the most prolific postseason scorers, currently positioning himself at No. 10 in playoff history for points per game at 27.4, surpassing some legends like Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. However, the Thunder's defense stands as a formidable obstacle. Oklahoma City ranked first in defensive rating during the regular season and has continued to lead these playoffs, boasting a 101.6 rating. They also excelled in defending players in isolation, allowing only 0.81 points per possession. Edwards previously struggled against the Thunder in the regular season, averaging just 22.3 points on 36.4 percent shooting. Oklahoma City has a wealth of strong, athletic defenders, including Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, who are well-equipped to challenge Edwards, supported by premier rim protector Chet Holmgren. As elite as Edwards is, he may face significant difficulties against this high-caliber defense. Meanwhile, the Pacers have effectively leveraged their depth throughout the season, executing a well-rounded team strategy that enabled them to eliminate the Cavaliers, who tallied 64 wins. Indiana maintained a diverse rotation, with 10 players averaging between 10.1 to 33.3 minutes per game in the second round, contrasting sharply with the Knicks, whose starters averaged more minutes than the Pacers' most-used player, Andrew Nembhard. As the series approaches, the Pacers may find it challenging to employ their bench players effectively against the Knicks, as they did against the injury-plagued Cavaliers. While the Pacers will likely stick to their 10-man rotation initially, they should not attempt to match the Knicks in rotation size, thus being forced to adapt their strategy.

The matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards serves as one of the key attractions in the series, with Chet Holmgren emerging as a pivotal player for the Thunder. Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault has utilized the versatile 7'1" big man primarily at power forward, but his ability to space the floor will be critical against the Timberwolves. Holmgren's unique capability to record both multi-block games and effective three-point shooting sets him apart from others in the league. The Thunder may implement five-out lineups to draw Rudy Gobert away from the rim, allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to drive more effectively. Conversely, Holmgren's considerable defensive presence will challenge both Randle and Gobert as they score. Holmgren's impressive combination of shot-blocking and three-point shooting greatly enhances his team's two-way versatility as they aim for victory.

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton are two of the most clutch players in the NBA, and their electric performances thus far suggest that fans can expect thrilling moments in these conference finals. Brunson, honored as the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year, holds the highest plus-minus mark of any player this postseason, while Haliburton has demonstrated his own success in clutch situations, influencing the Pacers' immaculate 5-0 record in such scenarios. Both players have previously showcased their knack for game-winning plays, setting the stage for high drama in the upcoming contests. Statistical studies indicate that playoff teams have only managed to win three out of 1,643 games when trailing by at least seven points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime. Remarkably, the Pacers secured two of those victories, including a key moment in Game 2 against the Cavaliers, thanks to Haliburton's timely three-pointer. During this postseason, Indiana displayed a net rating of plus-6.5 in the fourth quarter against Cleveland, while the Knicks registered an impressive plus-17.4 in their final moments against the Celtics, indicating the high stakes and intensity expected in this series.

Continuing in the Western Conference, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the leading scorer in the NBA this season and will likely retain his scoring dominance in the West Finals. The franchise record for points scored in a single playoff game by an Oklahoma City player remains at 51, a mark set by Russell Westbrook in 2017. The current Thunder team finds itself in a somewhat similar position, especially with Jalen Williams, averaging 17.6 points on 37.5 percent shooting, struggling against the Nuggets. As the playoff stakes increase, the Thunder will need to maximize Gilgeous-Alexander's potential, particularly against a tenacious Timberwolves defense. Fortunately, Gilgeous-Alexander has thrived against the Timberwolves in regular-season matchups, averaging 35.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists across four games while shooting a remarkable 55.6 percent from three-point range. As the Thunder look to establish a more balanced offensive strategy, anticipate a standout performance from Gilgeous-Alexander to potentially surpass Westbrook's franchise postseason scoring record.