Power ranking potential NBA Finals matchups by watchability

With the conference finals quickly approaching, here’s a look at the most compelling potential NBA Finals matchups, ranked by watchability.

The 2020 NBA Finals are quickly approaching, and with the bubble providing some shocking results, including both the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors being sent home early, all indications are that the end of the postseason will be as exciting as any that fans have seen in recent years.

The Heat and Celtics figure to give fans a compelling series after their second-round upsets, while the Lakers await the winner of a Game 7 between the Clippers and Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. With six different configurations still possible, here’s a look at the best, and worst, Finals matchups that the bubble still has to offer.

6. Nuggets vs. Heat

Denver and Miami have both impressed fans throughout the playoffs, albeit in different fashions. The Nuggets overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round against the Utah Jazz and have a chance to do so again with a Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat, meanwhile, have dominated both of their series, earning an 8-1 record in dominant performances against the Pacers and Bucks.

While this matchup, like any at this point, would certainly be compelling, it lacks the star power or big market appeal that others have. The narrative around the Western Conference since the offseason has been building up to a Kawhi Leonard vs. LeBron James showdown with a Finals berth on the line, and casual fans would likely feel robbed of that matchup if Denver makes the Finals.

The Heat are another exciting young squad, but Boston seems like the more compelling Finals draw after many years playing second fiddle to LeBron James in the Eastern Conference. Denver and Miami would be a good matchup, but it falls short of the potential of others on this list.

5. Nuggets vs. Celtics

Denver and Boston slightly edges out a Nuggets-Heat series, mainly because of the Celtics’ three-headed monster of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum. All three players averaged over 20 points per game this season, a level of scoring balance that most NBA squads only dream of. That core has provided some exciting playoff moments to this point and could match up well with Denver.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, can match Boston’s depth on the perimeter while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray put up gaudy scoring numbers. This feels like a series in which Tatum and Murray would go back and forth, much like Murray and Donovan Mitchell did in the first round, and fans certainly would have no problem with two of the league’s bright young stars dueling it out on the biggest stage.

4. Clippers vs. Celtics

This series would provide a vintage Boston-Los Angeles battle with a little bit of modern nuance, pitting the Celtics against not the Lakers, but an up-and-coming franchise in the Clippers. While this may not truly be a rivalry, the series has the potential to be a good one.

With Tatum, Brown, and Walker facing off against Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the two teams can match each other’s scoring while also maintaining the talent on defense to keep games close. However, this matchup simply cannot provide the same kind of storylines that the ones above it can. The Clippers and Celtics do not have much history, and while this may be as good a time as any to start one, the built-in headlines in the other series are more compelling.

3. Clippers vs. Heat

The Heat narrowly edge out the Celtics in a potential series against the Clippers, as Miami matches up slightly better than Boston does. Erik Spoelstra is not afraid to shoot the long ball, and Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo give Miami two unique chess pieces that the Milwaukee Bucks could not quite figure out.

However, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could certainly give the Heat fits on defense. Leonard has the all-around scoring game to give Butler fits, whereas Giannis Antetokounmpo did not have the consistent jumper to scare off Miami from behind the arc or in the mid-range. This series would likely come down to George against Miami’s supporting cast, as the team with the more reliable secondary scorers would assuredly be the favorite.

2. Lakers vs. Heat

LeBron James matching up against his former team is as good a reason as any to watch the Finals, and with Miami finally landing its next star in Butler, the Heat could be a dangerous matchup for the Lakers. Miami excels around the 3-point line, arguably the Lakers’ biggest weakness, and could dispatch the West’s top team if they remain hot from beyond the arc.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, can throw James and Anthony Davis at Miami, a potent duo for which the Heat may not have many answers for defensively. Had Dwyane Wade stuck it out for one more year and remained on Miami’s bench, this may have taken the top spot, with James and his former teammate each vying for a fourth title. However, one matchup on this list edges it out for somewhat obvious reasons.

1. Lakers vs. Celtics

The best rivalry on this list, a marquee matchup between Los Angeles and Boston to cap off one of the NBA’s most unique seasons would certainly be fitting. No matter the rosters, the Lakers and Celtics provide fans with a classic matchup that is sure to provide fans a glimpse into the past. However, in this case, the rosters are both quite good.

The Lakers boast the best duo in the league with James and Davis leading the charge, while the Celtics have burst onto the scene due to the addition of Kemba Walker and some internal improvement from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. A Finals win would give Tatum a chance to stake his claim as one of the league’s elite players, while a Lakers victory would both tie Los Angeles with Boston for the most NBA titles and deliver James an elusive fourth championship.