We’re not even to the halfway mark in this year’s NBA season and already our man Shaq is talking Finals…and making predictions!
No doubt there’s still a lot of hoops to be played, but things move along and teams are jostling for position, and fans are dreaming of title runs. But leave it to Shaquille O’Neal to skip the guessing game and go all-in with his signature boldness.
On a recent episode of the NBA on TNT postgame show, Shaq dropped a prediction that’s as hot as his free-throw takes: the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers will battle it out in the NBA Finals.
With his usual swagger, O’Neal interrupted host Adam Lefkoe to ask, “Can we make up our own parlay?” Before anyone could guess what he had in mind, Shaq declared, “OKC and Cleveland in the Finals… That’s what I know will happen for a fact.”
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
While Shaq’s predictions are often entertaining, this one might not be so far-fetched. Both the Thunder (33-6) and Cavaliers (34-5) are leading their respective conferences, boasting dominant records and riding serious momentum.
•Cleveland Cavaliers: Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, the Cavs are red-hot, winning nine of their last 10 games. With their young core firing on all cylinders, Cleveland has a six-game cushion over the second-place team.
•Oklahoma City Thunder: Over in the Western Conference, OKC has mirrored Cleveland’s dominance, also going 9-1 in their last 10 matchups. Even without standout rookie Chet Holmgren, the Thunder continue to light up the scoreboard.
Both teams seem primed for deep playoff runs, and if Shaq’s Finals pick comes true, it’ll be a clash of two young, hungry squads ready to make their mark.
Adding fuel to the hype, Shaq’s Finals prediction coincides with Thursday’s must-watch rematch between these two powerhouse teams. Their last faceoff on January 8th was a nail-biter, with Cleveland edging out OKC 129-122. The game also attracted 1.87 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched NBA matchups on ESPN this season.
Thursday’s rematch, previewed by Shaq, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson on Inside the NBA, promises to deliver fireworks again. According to ESPN’s NBA Power Index, the Thunder hold a slight edge with a 59% chance of victory, even with Holmgren sidelined.
Whether Shaq’s Finals prophecy pans out remains to be seen, but his unwavering confidence in OKC and Cleveland has fans buzzing. The Hall of Famer’s stamp of approval on these two young teams adds even more intrigue to a season already filled with surprises.
One thing’s for sure: love him or hate him, Shaq knows how to keep basketball exciting. So, grab your popcorn, tune in Thursday night, and let’s see if the Big Diesel’s crystal ball is as sharp as his wit. 🚀