Last updated Apr 20, 7:31pm ET

The 2025 NBA playoffs are set! The play-in starts on Tuesday, with a big gap in record between the Eastern and Western Conference teams. We’ll break down each game and series, providing an updated TV schedule as well as predictions for the entire playoff bracket as it progresses.

NBA Playoffs Schedule

NBA Playoffs – First Round

#8 Miami vs #1 Cleveland
Gm 1: Heat at Cavs (Apr 20, 7 ET)
Gm 2: Heat at Cavs (Apr 23, 7:30 ET)
Gm 3: Cavs at Heat (Apr 26, 1 ET)
Gm 4: Cavs at Heat (Apr 28, TBD)
Gm 5: Heat at Cavs (Apr 30, TBD)
Gm 6: Cavs at Heat (May 2, TBD)
Gm 7: Heat at Cavs (May 4, TBD)

#7 Orlando vs #2 Boston
Gm 1: Magic at Celtics (Apr 20, 3:30 ET)
Gm 2: Magic at Celtics (Apr 23, 7 ET)
Gm 3: Celtics at Magic (Apr 25, 7 ET)
Gm 4: Celtics at Magic (Apr 27, 7 ET)
Gm 5: Magic at Celtics (Apr 29, TBD)
Gm 6: Celtics at Magic (May 1, TBD)
Gm 7: Magic at Celtics (May 3, TBD)

#6 Detroit vs #3 New York
Gm 1: Pistons at Knicks (Apr 19, 6 ET)
Gm 2: Pistons at Knicks (Apr 21 7:30 ET)
Gm 3: Knicks at Pistons (Apr 24, 7 ET)
Gm 4: Knicks at Pistons (Apr 27, 1 ET)
Gm 5: Pistons at Knicks (Apr 29, TBD)
Gm 6: Knicks at Pistons (May 1, TBD)
Gm 7: Pistons at Knicks (May 3, TBD)

#5 Milwaukee vs #4 Indiana
Gm 1: Bucks at Pacers (Apr 19, 1 ET)
Gm 2: Bucks at Pacers (Apr 22, 7 ET)
Gm 3: Pacers at Bucks (Apr 25, 8 ET)
Gm 4: Pacers at Bucks (Apr 26, 9:30 ET)
Gm 5: Bucks at Pacers (Apr 29, TBD)
Gm 6: Pacers at Bucks (May 2, TBD)
Gm 7: Bucks at Pacers (May 4, TBD)

#8 Memphis vs #1 Oklahoma City
Gm 1: Grizzlies at Thunder (Apr 20, 1 ET)
Gm 2: Grizzlies at Thunder (Apr 22, 7:30 ET)
Gm 3: Thunder at Grizzlies (Apr 24, 9:30 ET)
Gm 4: Thunder at Grizzlies (Apr 26, 3:30 ET)
Gm 5: Grizzlies at Thunder (Apr 28, TBD)
Gm 6: Thunder at Grizzlies (May 1, TBD)
Gm 7: Grizzlies at Thunder (May 3, TBD)

#7 Golden State vs #2 Houston
Gm 1: Warriors at Rockets (Apr 20, 9:30 ET)
Gm 2: Warriors at Rockets (Apr 23, 9:30 ET)
Gm 3: Rockets at Warriors (Apr 26, 8:30 ET)
Gm 4: Rockets at Warriors (Apr 28, 10 ET)
Gm 5: Warriors at Rockets (Apr 30, TBD)
Gm 6: Rockets at Warriors (May 2, TBD)
Gm 7: Warriors at Rockets (May 4, TBD)

#6 Minnesota vs #3 Los Angeles Lakers
Gm 1: Wolves at Lakers (Apr 19, 8:30 ET)
Gm 2: Wolves at Lakers (Apr 22, 10 ET)
Gm 3: Lakers at Wolves (Apr 25, 9:30 ET)
Gm 4: Lakers at Wolves (Apr 27, 3:30 ET)
Gm 5: Wolves at Lakers (Apr 30, TBD)
Gm 6: Lakers at Wolves (May 2, TBD)
Gm 7: Wolves at Lakers (May 4, TBD)

#5 Los Angeles Clippers vs #4 Denver
Gm 1: Clippers at Nuggets (Apr 19, 3 ET)
Gm 2: Clippers at Nuggets (Apr 21, 10 ET)
Gm 3: Nuggets at Clippers (Apr 24, 10 ET)
Gm 4: Nuggets at Clippers (Apr 26, 6 ET)
Gm 5: Clippers at Nuggets (Apr 29, TBD)
Gm 6: Nuggets at Clippers (May 1, TBD)
Gm 7: Clippers at Nuggets (May 3, TBD)

NBA Playoffs Odds

The Thunder are currently the favorite to win the NBA Championship, followed closely behind by Boston. Check out the full NBA Finals betting odds below to find the best value available.

TeamOdds
Oklahoma City Thunder+180
Boston Celtics+190
Cleveland Cavaliers+480
Los Angeles Lakers+1600
Golden State Warriors+2200
New York Knicks+3000
Denver Nuggets+3400
Los Angeles Clippers+3400
Minnesota Timberwolves+5000
Houston Rockets+6500
Indiana Pacers+8000
Memphis Grizzlies+17000
Milwaukee Bucks+17000
Detroit Pistons+44000
Dallas Mavericks+55000
Sacramento Kings+100000
Orlando Magic+100000
Atlanta Hawks+100000
Chicago Bulls+100000
Miami Heat+100000

NBA Playoffs Picks

We will be fully updating our picks as the play-in and main postseason progresses. Take a look!

Eastern Conference:
#1 Cavaliers over #8 Heat in 5
#2 Celtics over #7 Magic in 7
#6 Pistons over #3 Knicks in 6
#5 Bucks over #4 Pacers in 6

#1 Cavaliers over #5 Bucks in 7
#2 Celtics over #6 Pistons in 5

#2 Celtics over #1 Cavaliers in 6

Western Conference:
#1 Thunder over #8 Grizzlies in 6
#7 Warriors over #2 Rockets in 7
#3 Lakers over #6 Timberwolves in 5
#4 Nuggets over #5 Clippers in 7

#1 Thunder over #4 Nuggets in 5
#3 Lakers over #7 Warriors in 7

#3 Lakers over #1 Thunder in 7

NBA Finals Prediction:
Los Angeles Lakers over Boston Celtics in 6

Pick
Los Angeles Lakers +1600
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Keith McCarthy
Keith McCarthy

Senior Editor

Keith combines years of sports knowledge with statistical analysis, the eye test, and intuition to accurately predict outcomes across NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, helping bettors achieve consistent wins.

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