NBA PLAYOFFS ROUND ONE
EAST
1 Cavaliers vs. 8 Heat:
The Cavs have been one of the best teams this regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record. New coach Kenny Atkinson has given them a boost and made things click. They boast one of the league’s best starting fives, which includes three members of this years’ all star team. As one of the league’s most complete teams, the Cavs look forward with very realistic hopes of winning the championship. The Miami Heat will be a walk in the park.
The Heat have been a hot mess since trading their biggest star, Jimmy Butler, at the deadline. They are a miserable 12-17 since the all-star break, struggling to click with new wing Andrew Wiggins in the lineup. They will miss the overall firepower that Butler brings to the table, and that took them to two finals appearances since 2020. I wouldn’t expect much from the Heat this playoff run.
Espen’s Pick: Cavs in 4
Arnav’s Pick: Cavs in 4
5 Bucks vs. 4 Pacers:
When these two teams faced off last season in the playoffs, the Pacers beat the Bucks in 6 games. The Bucks’ biggest star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was injured during the playoffs last year, and will be back for this round, making the matchup much more interesting. However for the Bucks, they will likely be without All-Star Damian Lillard (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and Giannis’ longtime running-mate Khris Middleton has been traded to the Wizards. Kyle Kuzma, who they received in return, has been extremely underwhelming, as they have a -16 +/- when he plays, whereas Middleton had a +58.
The Pacers, fully healthy, are 20-9 since the all star break, the third best in the east, and are second in least amount of turnovers per game. The Pacers are led by crafty point guard Tyrese Haliburton, one of the best creators in the NBA who averages 8.2 assists per game in the playoffs. All-Star Pascal Siakam is the Pacers leading scorer, who won a title with the Raptors in 2019. The Pacers should handle the Bucks in 6 games again. If they can contain Giannis, it will be an easy victory.
Espen’s Pick: Pacers in 6
Arnav’s Pick: Bucks in 6
6 Pistons vs. 3 Knicks:
The Pistons boast a young team that has gone from a 14 win team to a 44 win team in just a season. The growth of Cade Cunningham, new coach JB Bickerstaff, and addition of veterans like Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have cooked a perfect storm for the Pistons to make a push into the playoffs. It is the first time the Pistons have made the playoffs since 2019. However the Pistons still have many questions headed into the playoffs. Cade has never been in the playoffs before, and a true co-star for Cade has yet to emerge. Jalen Duren’s defense has been a big question this season, and will be overmatched going up against centers like Karl Anthony-Towns.
The Knicks have one of the most electric starting fives in the league, led by all-stars Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns. The Knicks have won their first round matchups in back to back seasons, and bring an improved roster into this tournament. Last season the Knicks entered with lots of injuries as players were too fatigued and bruised from an 82 game season, however this year they enter very healthy. Past the first round, the Knicks could run into some matchup nightmares, especially against the Celtics. I’ll take the Knicks in six for this series.
Espen’s Pick: Knicks in 6
Arnav’s Pick: Knicks in 5
2 Celtics vs. 7 Magic:
The Celtics enter the 2025 playoffs after winning the championship in 2024. The NBA’s best three point shooting team is bringing back a very similar roster to last year. The Celtics average 17.8 three pointers made per game, almost two whole three’s above second. The Celtics are a matchup nightmare for anyone they face in the playoffs. If they continue to shoot lights out from three in the playoffs, they will stroll to victory. If not their defense is good enough and they have plenty of other offensive flexibility between stars like Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown to generate enough offense to win the series.
The Magic are one of the best defensive teams in basketball. They lead the league in blocks and are sixth in steals, while being number one in opponent points per game. Wings Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner are leading the way. However the Magic offense is as bad as their defense is good. The Magic are 28th in points per game. In order to beat the Celtics, you’ll have to keep up with their elite scoring. If the Magic can’t do that, they have no chance of winning this series. I’ll take the Celtics in five.
Espen’s Pick: Celtics in 5
Arnav’s Pick: Celtics in 6
WEST
1 Thunder vs. 8 Grizzlies:
The 1 seed Thunder are amongst favorites to win it all this year. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.7 points per game, first in the entire league. They finished 68-14, nearly breaking the NBA record of 73-9 set by the Warriors in 2016. This is a team that outscores opponents by almost 13 points per game, and looks quite impossible to beat.
The Grizzlies have put together a solid lineup, with the explosive Ja Morant leading their team. Morant has put together a decent season, with several 20+ point games, but has failed to stay out of trouble as of recently. Morant has been fined and suspended on multiple occasions due to celebrations. Morant must stay out of trouble if he wants to push his team into the second round of the playoffs.
Espen’s Pick: Thunder in 4
Arnav’s Pick: Thunder in 5
4 Nuggets vs. 5 Clippers:
The Nuggets have been a bit of a dumpster fire over the past month. They fired head coach Mike Malone just a few games before the playoffs, a move never done before in the history of the NBA. The Nuggets have MVP candidate and previous three-time MVP Nikola Jokic leading their team, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, shooting a 57.6 field goal percentage. He’s the heart of the team, and with the help of Jamal Murray feeding the ball, this team has the ability to make a run.
The Clippers have a serious chance to prove themselves in the first round. Despite being the lower-seed, this is a team that is extremely well-rounded with talent. Their best guys are James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Both players are averaging over 20 points per game and above 5 rebounds. Harden is 5th in the league for assists per game, with 8.7. Another star is Norman Powell, averaging 21.8 points per game, 24th in the league. This team has been on fire as of recently, with an 8 game win streak. If they can beat the Nuggets in round one, then they have a serious chance of winning it all.
Espen’s Pick: Clippers in 6
Arnav’s Pick: Clippers in 7
6 Timberwolves vs. 3 Lakers:
The Timberwolves are led by star guard Anthony Edwards, who’s 4th in the league for points per game, averaging 27.6. This season he has 19 points per game in four games vs the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he doesn’t have much help. If Edwards wants to win this series, he’s going to have to carry the team. The Timberwolves only had one less win than the Lakers during the regular season, but LA has looked much better after trading for Luka Doncic midway through the season.
The Lakers have real team chemistry in their roster, with LeBron and Luka making magic happen just about every game. Doncic alone is averaging 28.2 points per game, more than Edwards’ 27.6. LeBron has 24.4 points per game and is also 6th in the league for assists. The chemistry between this duo will likely take more than just Edwards to stop, and could even make a deep run in the playoffs.
Espen’s Pick: Lakers in 5
Arnav’s Pick: Lakers in 6
2 Rockets vs. 7 Warriors:
The Rockets have made a remarkable comeback from last season. After going 41-41 and missing the playoffs in 2024, Houston is back, with a 52-30 record, which is good enough for the 2 seed. Jalen Green leads the team in points with 21 per game, but the roster is overall very well-balanced. Alperen Sengun is second in points with 19.1 per game, and then it’s Fred VanVleet with 14.1. Seven players on the Rockets’ roster had 12 or more points per game this year. They are a high scoring team that is expected to have a good run in the playoffs.
The Warriors have earned a 7 seed this season. They finished with a 48-34 record. Key players Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler have averaged 24.5 and 17.9 points per game together. Despite being a low seed, Golden State is a team that is used to big stages such as this one. Curry is one of the greatest players of all time, and undoubtedly the best shooter to live. Butler has been doing solid ever since he got traded to the Warriors, serving as a valuable asset. Golden State only had four less wins than the Rockets, showing just how contested the Western conference was.
Espen’s Pick: Warriors in 6
Arnav’s Pick: Warriors in 7
