2025 NBA playoffs: Predictions for every first-round series
The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs begins Saturday. Who will advance to the conference semis? Here are our staff predictions for every series:
EAST
WEST
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Magic
Dan Devine: Celtics in 4
Vincent Goodwill: Celtics in 5
Tom Haberstroh: Celtics in 4
Morten Stig Jensen: Celtics in 4
Ben Rohrbach: Celtics in 4
Dan Titus: Celtics in 5
Advertisement
The Celtics have too much firepower. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, even at 80%, are better than Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner at this point. And then there is Boston's depth. How are the Magic going to score with them? — Rohrbach
Who's gonna challenge the Boston Celtics? They've toyed with the Knicks this year, their assumed second-round appointment unless Detroit crashes the party. So clearly the biggest challenge is the team that's led the East from end-to-end, those Cleveland Cavaliers. — Goodwill
Celtics-Magic series preview, key matchups and schedule
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons
Devine: Knicks in 7
Goodwill: Knicks in 7
Haberstroh: Knicks in 6
Jensen: Knicks in 7
Rohrbach: Knicks in 7
Titus: Pistons in 7
Advertisement
BetMGM puts the Knicks as heavy favorites (-425, 81% probability to win), but Detroit's Cade Cunningham has been a problem for New York all year. The Pistons are well-coached with a balanced roster that can knock down 3s, bang in the post and lock down defensively. It's Detroit vs. Everybody on the road to claim its first postseason series win since 2008. — Titus
The Pistons have been every bit as good as the Knicks for four solid months now — better over the past couple! — and are playing like a group with a defined identity that knows exactly who they are, what they need to do, and how they need to do it. ... That said: New York does have the talent advantage at the higher end — especially if Karl-Anthony Towns can replicate the kinds of postseason performances he turned in for the Timberwolves in last spring's opening rounds. — Devine
Knicks-Pistons series preview, key matchups and schedule
(4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks
Devine: Pacers in 6
Goodwill: Pacers in 7
Haberstroh: Pacers in 6
Jensen: Pacers in 6
Rohrbach: Bucks in 7
Titus: Bucks in 6
Advertisement
Giannis Antetokounmpo reminds us that it is unwise to pick against him in the playoffs, averaging around 40 points per game in a seven-game victory against the Pacers, which would count as an upset, according to BetMGM. Will a first-round victory be enough to convince Antetokounmpo that Milwaukee is still a long-term home for him? That I don't know. — Rohrbach
Consecutive first-round losses to Indiana could prompt questions about Milwaukee's and Giannis' future. The Bucks can't waste another MVP-like campaign from Giannis, especially after beating the Pacers by a margin of nine points in their three regular-season wins. — Titus
Bucks-Pacers series preview, key matchups and schedule
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(2) Rockets vs. (7) Warriors
Devine: Warriors in 6
Goodwill: Warriors in 6
Haberstroh: Warriors in 7
Jensen: Warriors in 6
Rohrbach: Warriors in 7
Titus: Rockets in 6
Advertisement
Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. But I've yet to see this Rockets core win a seven-game series, and I've seen Steph and Draymond get a game on the road and eventually break a more athletic team, I've seen Jimmy tilt matchups against favorites, and I've seen both of those things a lot. Houston suffers the same fate as countless postseason debutantes across NBA history, and Golden State keeps rolling. — Devine
Are we sleeping on the Rockets? The Warriors, the second seventh-seeded team favored in a first-round series since 1988, bring unmatched experience and a championship pedigree. Then they added Jimmy Butler. However, Houston's top-five defense thrives on physicality, wearing opponents down. With a frontcourt edge and defensive grit, the Rockets could disrupt Curry's rhythm — something we've seen Houston do to Steph before. — Titus
Rockets-Warriors series preview, key matchups and schedule
(3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves
Devine: Lakers in 6
Goodwill: Lakers in 6
Haberstroh: Lakers in 7
Jensen: Lakers in 6
Rohrbach: Lakers in 7
Titus: Wolves in 7
Advertisement
Luka Dončić owned the Timberwolves as a member of the Mavericks in last season's Western Conference finals, and now he has LeBron James at his side. Together they can solve Minnesota's defense. Barely. — Rohrbach
I don't know what to expect from JJ Redick, Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves in their first foray together. Same goes for Jimmy Buckets and the pressure cooker of playing in San Francisco with Draymond Green and Curry. All bets are off. — Haberstroh
Lakers-Wolves series preview, key matchups and schedule
(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers
Devine: Nuggets in 7
Goodwill: Nuggets in 7
Haberstroh: Clippers in 6
Jensen: Nuggets in 7
Rohrbach: Nuggets in 7
Titus: Clippers in 6
Advertisement
This version of the Clippers absolutely can win this series, but this version of Nikola Jokić isn't outgunned against anybody. That, plus home court, tilts me slightly in Denver's favor. — Devine
Nikola Jokić and Kawhi Leonard engage the world in a battle of non-emotional chess and treat us to one of the most compelling first-round matchups we've seen in years. — Goodwill
Nuggets-Clippers series preview, key matchups and schedule
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rockets formally reject Knicks' bid to speak with head coach Ime Udoka
As expected, the Knicks formally reached out to the Houston Rockets regarding permission to speak with head coach Ime Udoka. New York has been without a coach since deciding to part ways with Tom Thibodeau after its Eastern Conference finals loss. Also as expected, the Rockets denied that request, SNY's Ian Begley reported Tuesday night. He cited people familiar with Houston's stance. Advertisement Udoka remains under contract with Houston for the next two seasons. Coming off a season with the NBA's fourth-best record and a young and improving roster, the Rockets like the course they're on. Moreover, Udoka finished third in 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year voting. So, there's not much incentive for Houston — even if offered lucrative compensation — to consider letting Udoka out of his contract to speak with the Knicks. It is possible that New York's interest could be mentioned by Udoka and his representation in future negotiations with the Rockets, who are likely planning to give him a contract extension by the 2026 offseason at the latest. But clearly, the plan for both Udoka and the Rockets is for their partnership to continue beyond the current contract. More: 'You couldn't pay us enough': Stephen A. Smith relays Rockets' response to Ime Udoka rumor This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets formally reject Knicks' bid to speak with head coach Ime Udoka
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
MLB Makes Aaron Judge Announcement During Yankees-Royals Game
MLB Makes Aaron Judge Announcement During Yankees-Royals Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We interrupt tonight's New York Yankees-Kansas City Royals game to remind you that Aaron Judge is really, really good. Advertisement Judge continued his latest MVP push with a two-run, first-inning home run off Royals starter Noah Cameron. Already owning 23 homers on the season, Judge crushed a 469-foot blast to left field at Kauffman Stadium. According to Major League Baseball, Tuesday's blast marked Judge's 12th career home run of at least 465 feet. Whoever wound up with the home run ball can proudly say they landed the seventh-longest homer of Judge's incredible career. 'Don't think I've seen a ball hit out there in Kansas City,' wrote one X/Twitter user. 'I watched this in person,' a Royals fan commented. 'Ball was murdered. He should be charged in federal court.' Advertisement The official MLB X/Twitter account registered Judge's homer at 117.9 mph. New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron JudgePeter Aiken-Imagn Images Judge entered Tuesday hitting .396 with 55 RBI, 5.2 bWAR, and an incredible 1.264 OPS. It would take a disaster for him not to earn his third AL MVP in four years, and the Yankees appear well on track for a second consecutive AL East title. Judge has three home runs in eight June games, and he's not slowing down. "[He's] redefining power hitting," an X user commented. Indeed he is, and the Yankees are reaping the benefits. Related: Yankees Announce Pitching Injury Before Royals Game Related: Yankees Facing Difficult Ben Rice Decision After Giancarlo Stanton Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Knicks denied by Timberwolves, Rockets to talk with Chris Finch, Ime Udoka
The Knicks were shot down by two teams in their head coach search. New York was denied permission to speak with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka for their vacant head coaching job in another twist in the ongoing coaching search. The Rockets were formally approached by the Knicks for permission, to which they quickly said no, according to SNY's Ian Begley. Advertisement Rockets head coach Ime Udoka reacts during game their Game 7 loss to the Warriors in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images It had been previously reported that the Rockets had no interest in engaging in a scenario that would set up Udoka to potentially leave for the Knicks job. Udoka is under contract in Houston for the next two seasons and is coming off a year in which he coached the Rockets to the fourth-best record (52-30) in the NBA, along with the 47-year-old finishing third in the voting for NBA Coach of the Year. Advertisement It was the second organization that had turned the Knicks down when they had approached them to talk with their coach. Sports talk great Mike Francesa was the first to report that the Timberwolves had denied the Knicks permission to speak with their head coach, Chris Finch, who led them to the Western Conference finals this season. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, right, gestures next to referee James Williams during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. AP Advertisement The Knicks could still look to request permission to speak with other current head coaches, ESPN's Shams Charania reported late Tuesday night. The Knicks have been without a coach since they fired Tom Thibodeau in a move just days after they had been knocked out of the Eastern Conference finals by the Indiana Pacers.
