The 2025 NBA season is reaching its climax, and the excitement is palpable! Eight teams are battling it out in the play-in tournament for the final four playoff spots, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason. The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies will kick things off in the West, while in the East, the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks will clash for the coveted 7th seed and a date with the reigning champion Boston Celtics. These crucial play-in games will determine the final playoff bracket, adding even more drama to an already unpredictable season.
The action continues with two more 9-10 play-in matchups featuring the Miami Heat against the Chicago Bulls and the Dallas Mavericks against the Sacramento Kings. The stakes are high, as the losers are sent home while the victors earn their place in Friday’s decisive games for the 8th seed in each conference. The first round of the playoffs then begins on Saturday, with the 3-6 and 4-5 matchups of each conference tipping off, and the top two seeds hosting their Game 1s on Sunday.
But before the playoffs officially begin, ESPN’s panel of expert analysts have weighed in with their predictions for every play-in game and the first-round series. Their insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the potential matchups and outcomes, highlighting the key players and strategies expected to dominate the postseason. Let’s dive into their picks, starting with the play-in tournament:
Play-In Tournament Predictions: The overwhelming majority of experts predict a Golden State Warriors victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the West’s 7-8 matchup. In the East, the Orlando Magic are favored to defeat the Atlanta Hawks. For the 9-10 matchups, the Sacramento Kings are the slight favorites over the Dallas Mavericks in the West, while the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are evenly matched, according to the experts’ predictions.
First-Round Predictions: In the East, the New York Knicks are heavily favored to advance past the Detroit Pistons, with a consensus prediction of a Knicks victory. The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks matchup is a closer call, but the Pacers are slightly favored by the panel. The Western Conference first-round predictions show a dominant Los Angeles Lakers team over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets series is expected to be much more competitive, with a slight edge given to the Clippers by most experts.
This year’s playoffs promise to be an incredible spectacle of basketball skill and strategy. With so much on the line, every game will be a must-watch, and the experts’ predictions provide a fascinating framework for understanding the potential paths to the NBA championship.
