The NBA regular season can be compared to a marathon that tests the strength, stamina, and endurance of every player in the league. However, in a marathon with 6 miles left in the race, it generally moves from a pacing endurance test to a speed race to the finish line. Saturday, April 18, marks the transition to a 2-month speed race toward capturing the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the NBA Finals. The playoffs will have interesting matchups of young versus veterans and teams tumbling down the stretch versus teams peaking at the right time. In this article, we will preview every series in the first round and predict the outcome.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Miami Heat (8)
In 2023, Miami became the first team to reach the NBA Finals despite being an 8th seed after qualifying through the play-in tournament. However, last season they lost in the first round as the 8th seed to the Boston Celtics in just five games after Jimmy Butler suffered an MCL sprain during a play-in tournament game against the Philadelphia 76ers. So, which is the more likely result in 2025? I think it would be the latter. Although Tyler Herro has elevated his play to drag them through the play-in tournament as the first 10th seed to qualify, it won’t be enough against a deep Cleveland Cavaliers team primed for a deep playoff run.
Cavs in 5 games
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (7)
This will be a matchup of the best team 3-point shooting team and the best team defense from long distance. The problem for Orlando in this matchup is generating enough offense because the Celtics were ranked number two in offensive net rating of 119.5 while the Magic were just 27th in the list with 108.9 per game. The Magic will also miss the spark from Jalen Suggs, and despite the talented duo of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, it will not be enough to beat the reigning defending champions.
Celtics in 5 games
New York Knicks (3) vs. Detroit Pistons (6)
This will be a fascinating series because the Knicks are the team under pressure to emerge as winners after a roller-coaster season. The Pistons are the Cinderella team of the season after turning around their 14-68 record last season to a 44-38 mark this year. The Pistons enter the series having won the regular season matchup 3-1, and Cade Cunningham has emerged as an elite All-Star Point Guard. However, I think experience matters in the playoffs, and Jalen Brunson is still one of the best clutch players when the game gets tight. I think the Knicks will squeak by the Pistons in a hard-fought series.
Knicks in 7 games
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (5)
This matchup is the best series in the East for this round. The Pacers shocked the world last season by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. The run included knocking out a Milwaukee Bucks squad hampered by the loss of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis will be fit for this series, and the Pacers have no matchup to slow down the Greek Freak. The Bucks got a boost on Thursday when it was revealed that Damian Lillard will return for the playoffs after being cleared of deep vein thrombosis. He will miss game one but will likely play on limited minutes. The Pacers are a talented squad, but I think Giannis will impose his will in this series and has improved his ability to create openings for his teammates with a career-equaling high of 6.5 assists. I am picking the slight upset and the Bucks to win.
Bucks in 7 games
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8)
Memphis will have a difficult challenge in upsetting the Thunder after getting swept in the regular season 3-0. Ja Morant did not play in two of those games, but the Thunder should feast against a team that tumbled down the standings down the stretch and fired their Head Coach before the playoffs. It will be an interesting matchup for the painted area, with Memphis being the second-best scoring team versus the best defense in Oklahoma City. I think the defense wins out, but I will give Morant one game at home that prevents the sweep.
Thunder in 5 games
Houston Rockets (2) vs. Golden State Warriors (7)
This is a must-see television event. The Warriors are 24-7 since acquiring Jimmy Butler and still had to qualify for the playoffs through the play-in tournament. The tandem of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler is formidable for any team in the playoffs because of their experience and tenacity to deliver incredible performances. However, do not underestimate the Rockets’ ability to defend, their athleticism, and emerging stars like Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. I give the Warriors the slight edge because of experience and Houston’s lack of a clutch scorer in a tight contest.
Warriors in 7 games
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
It feels like the glitziest matchup of the first round, with the face of the NBA (Lebron James) going against the potential future (Anthony Edwards). However, the best player in the series who will likely decide it is Luka Doncic. Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 5 games against the Timberwolves in the 2024 Western Conference Finals. It is a difficult matchup for Rudy Gobert, who struggles in isolation matchup against the Serbian. Minnesota will have to punish the Lakers with its size, but I think they lack the post presence to challenge them. Therefore, I have the Lakers winning the series by throwing double teams at Edwards and forcing the supporting cast to beat them.
Lakers in 6 games
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers
It feels like this should not be a first-round matchup because it could have been a second-round series in any other year. The Clippers have been one of the hottest in the past month, and Kawhi Leonard looks the healthiest version of himself in 5 years. The problem for the Nuggets in this matchup is the question mark on the health of Jamal Murray and whether an interim coach with three games’ experience can push the right buttons in a difficult matchup. The wild card for the Nuggets is whether Russel Westbrook can deliver while facing his old team. Ultimately, I think the Clippers will prevail because Tyronn Lue will make the adjustments necessary to get the job done.
Clippers in 6 games