NBA Play-In Tournament Kicks Off with High Stakes and Expert Predictions
The 2025 NBA play-in tournament is officially underway, and basketball fans are in for a thrilling week as eight teams battle it out for the final four spots in the playoffs. The tournament, which began on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday, promises to deliver high-stakes action as teams vie for a chance to extend their seasons.
On Tuesday night, the spotlight was on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors as they faced off against their Western Conference rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies, in the 7-8 game. The Warriors emerged victorious, securing their spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic delivered a commanding performance against the Atlanta Hawks, claiming the No. 7 seed and setting up a first-round matchup against the defending champion Boston Celtics.
As the tournament progresses, Wednesday’s schedule features two crucial 9-10 play-in matchups. The Miami Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls, while the Dallas Mavericks face the Sacramento Kings. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the losers of these games will see their seasons come to an end, while the winners will advance to Friday’s play-in for each conference’s No. 8 seed.
Looking ahead, the first round of the playoffs is set to tip off on Saturday with the 3-6 and 4-5 matchups from each conference. The top seeds, No. 1 and No. 2, will host their Game 1s against the play-in tournament winners on Sunday, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying postseason.
Before the NBA’s biggest superstars take the postseason stage, our NBA experts have weighed in with their picks for every play-in game and first-round series. Here’s a breakdown of their predictions:
- West: (10) Dallas Mavericks at (9) Sacramento Kings
Jamal Collier, Chris Herring, Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton, Ramona Shelburne, Marc J. Spears, and Jeremy Woo are all backing the Kings, while Dave McMenamin, Jorge Sedano, and Ohm Youngmisuk are siding with the Mavericks. The final tally stands at Kings 7, Mavericks 3.
- East: Miami Heat (10) at Chicago Bulls (9)
In this matchup, Jamal Collier, Chris Herring, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Kevin Pelton, and Jeremy Woo are predicting a Bulls victory, while Bobby Marks, Jorge Sedano, Ramona Shelburne, Marc J. Spears, and Ohm Youngmisuk are backing the Heat. The final tally is Bulls 6, Heat 5.
As we move into the first round of the playoffs, the experts have also shared their predictions for the Eastern and Western Conference matchups:
- East first round: Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (7)
Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Bobby Marks, Jorge Sedano, and Dave McMenamin are all predicting a Celtics victory, with the final tally being Boston 6, Orlando 0.
- East first round: New York Knicks (3) vs. Detroit Pistons (6)
The Knicks are the overwhelming favorites, with all experts predicting a victory. The final tally is Knicks 11, Pistons 0.
- East first round: Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (5)
This matchup is more divided, with Jamal Collier, Chris Herring, Tim MacMahon, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, Ramona Shelburne, and Jeremy Woo predicting a Pacers victory, while Andre Snellings, Jorge Sedano, Marc J. Spears, and Ohm Youngmisuk are backing the Bucks. The final tally is Pacers 7, Bucks 4.
- West first round: Houston Rockets (2) vs. Golden State Warriors (7)
The Warriors are favored by most experts, with Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Jorge Sedano, and Dave McMenamin predicting a Warriors victory. Bobby Marks is the lone expert backing the Rockets. The final tally is Houston 1, Warriors 5.
- West first round: Los Angeles Lakers (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
The Lakers are the clear favorites, with all experts predicting a victory. The final tally is Lakers 11, Timberwolves 0.
- West first round: Denver Nuggets (4) vs. LA Clippers (5)
This matchup is closely contested, with Jamal Collier, Chris Herring, Tim MacMahon, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, Jorge Sedano, and Marc J. Spears predicting a Clippers victory, while Andre Snellings, Ramona Shelburne, and Jeremy Woo are backing the Nuggets. The final tally is Clippers 7, Nuggets 3.
As the play-in tournament and playoffs unfold, fans can expect plenty of drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for more updates and expert analysis as the NBA postseason heats up.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
