NBA Playoffs 2025: Eastern Conference Showdowns and Surprises
The 2025 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and if you’re a basketball fan, you’re in for a treat. Our NBA insiders are here to guide you through every thrilling moment as teams battle it out for a spot in the Finals. Let’s dive into the action-packed weekend that saw some surprising results and set the stage for what’s to come.
Saturday’s Eastern Conference games were nothing short of electrifying. The No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers made a statement by easily handling the 5-seed Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are now left waiting to see if their star, Damian Lillard, will return for Game 2. Meanwhile, the No. 3 seed New York Knicks rode the energy of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd to secure a Game 1 victory over the No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons.
Sunday promises more excitement as the East’s top two teams begin their postseason journeys. The No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Miami Heat, who made history by becoming the first 10-seed team to escape the play-in tournament and reach the playoffs. Following that, the defending champion Boston Celtics will kick off their title defense as the No. 2 seed against the 7-seed Orlando Magic.
Here’s a closer look at what stood out from Saturday’s results and what to expect in Sunday’s games.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
What we learned:
The Knicks’ playoff experience was a hot topic leading into the series, especially compared to the Pistons’ youthful roster. This disparity became evident in the fourth quarter when Detroit committed a five-second inbound violation followed by a shot clock violation. These mistakes opened the door for New York to go on a season-best 21-0 run over a 4½-minute stretch.
Detroit had reasons to be optimistic through the first three quarters. They effectively contained Jalen Brunson and turned OG Anunoby into a one-man offense. Despite Cade Cunningham being held in check at times, their spacing and ball movement were solid. However, the fourth quarter was a different story, as New York outscored Detroit 40-21, and the veteran Knicks never looked back.
Game 2: Pistons at Knicks (Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
- The health of Brunson, who started the game shooting 2-for-13 but turned it around after tweaking his ankle and changing his shoes. He went on to hit five of his seven shots during the dominant fourth quarter. Coach Tom Thibodeau humorously remarked, “I think he grabbed his cape.”
- On the Pistons’ side, the availability of big man Isaiah Stewart is crucial. He left Game 1 with a knee issue and didn’t return. His physical presence, alongside Jalen Duren, could be pivotal, especially with Mitchell Robinson looking strong off New York’s bench.
— Chris Herring
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
What we learned:
The Pacers showcased their depth, with a deep rotation that outperformed Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo-centric attack. While Antetokounmpo was dominant, scoring 36 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, he had just one assist. The Pacers’ defense limited Milwaukee’s supporting cast to 34% shooting from the field.
Indiana’s ball movement was a key factor, as evidenced by their 28 assists compared to Milwaukee’s 15. This led to a balanced scoring effort, with five Pacers in double figures, led by Pascal Siakam‘s 25 points.
Game 2: Bucks at Pacers (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
What to watch:
- The potential return of Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who has been sidelined since March 18 due to a blood clot. Lillard returned to practice this week, and his shot-making ability could be crucial for Milwaukee after their cold shooting in Game 1.
— Stephen Holder
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat
Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)
One thing to watch from the Cavaliers:
Will they be elite from 3? Before March 11, the Cavs were No. 1 in 3-point shooting percentage and had been on top for months. Since then, they are 19th. Which will it be when it matters? Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are great playmakers and shotmakers, and the Cavs cover for their defensive shortcomings with a great back line in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. But it works a lot better when their lead guards are making 3s. Mitchell shot 39% before the All-Star break and 30% after. Garland shot 43% before and 34% after. They combine to take 16 triples a game, so these percentage swings make a big difference for their margin for error. — Brian Windhorst
One thing to watch from the Heat:
There’s no way the Heat can do this again … or can they? After becoming the first 10-seed to make the playoffs by dispatching both the Bulls and Hawks on the road in a span of three days, the Heat will now try to advance out of the first round from the play-in once again. Not having Jimmy Butler III this time, however, is a big difference. But the Heat spent all season playing well for three quarters, only to repeatedly implode in the fourth. If they can avoid that in this series, then they at least have the capability of making this one slightly interesting. — Tim Bontemps
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic
Game 1: Magic at Celtics (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
One thing to watch from the Celtics:
Given Orlando’s issues on offense, there shouldn’t be much drama on the court in this series. But for the Celtics, the main focus will be Jaylen Brown‘s right knee. The All-Star guard has been dealing with a bone bruise for weeks and recently received injections to manage the pain. Boston won’t need Brown at his best to win this series, or even the next one, but it will need him to defend its title. How he looks after some rest will be a heavy focus for everyone after this series. — Bontemps
One thing to watch from the Magic:
Can Orlando take advantage of Brown’s balky right knee by applying more defensive pressure on Jayson Tatum and the other Celtics? Orlando is relentless on that end of the court, and if they spot and exploit a weakness in that regard, the matchup could become the sort of low-possession, grind-it-out series the low-scoring Magic would ultimately prefer. — Herring
Originally Written by: NBA Insiders
