NNJ FallBall 2025 Playoff Finals Predictions

This is what it all comes down to. Both teams have had great seasons but one will be cemented as Champs and the other a footnote of the Fall 25 season.

Rafah vs Al-Khalil

Shoutout Rafah. After predicting them to lose each of the last 2 rounds, they’ve made their way to the finals. Playoff Joey has taken this team up another level, giving them efficient shooting to complement the bruisers like Anas Najib in the paint. He’s also defended well and will need to do it again. Joey can match up with Mahdy and contain him on the perimeter with Zain helping behind him. Zain shut it down in the paint vs Bethlehem as always. Nabil will play a big role matching Heemy’s hustle to the ball to stop the extra possessions they thrive on. Anas Zubi could also have a big game as Al-Khalil will definitely look to apply pressure but Anas has the size advantage over the smaller guards to stick to his game.

Al-Khalil needs to convert their 3s in order to spread the defense. Omar Sehwail, in particular, will get a couple wide open looks and he’ll need to take them with confidence as he is capable of hitting a couple. Swish has been tasked with taking away every team’s best player so it will be interesting to see who he matches up with. Personally, I’d try and take away Anas Zubi, who’s inside-out game seems like the biggest threat, but Anas Najib has been killing it as well. Heemy could match up with Joey and test him by playing physical and seeing how he adapts. Zain is unguardable when he gets deep positioning but Al-Khalil will be aggressive in denying and fronting him in the post. Al-Khalil can keep up with everyone laterally but this game will really test their ability to handle some bully ball.

In the regular season matchup, Rafah escaped with heroics from Anas Zubi but Al-Khalil was missing Mahdy. In theory, that would point to Al-Khalil but basketball rarely works that way. I think the game will be defined by Zain and Nabil covering everything in the paint and Al-Khalil struggling to put up points.

Rafah by 4