NBA Play-In Tournament Kicks Off with High Stakes and Expert Predictions
As the 2025 NBA play-in tournament gets underway, basketball fans are in for a thrilling week of high-stakes matchups. The tournament, which began on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday, features eight teams battling it out for the final four spots in the playoffs. It’s a do-or-die scenario that promises to deliver some unforgettable moments on the court.
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 dominated the Atlanta Hawks, claiming the No. 7 seed and setting up a first-round showdown against the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Wednesday’s action promises to be just as intense, with two 9-10 play-in matchups on the schedule. The Miami Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls, while the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Sacramento Kings. For these teams, it’s a win-or-go-home scenario, with the winners advancing to Friday’s play-in for each conference’s No. 8 seed.
As the tournament unfolds, NBA experts are weighing in with their predictions for each play-in game and the first-round series. Here’s a look at what the experts are saying:
- 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: Kings 7, Mavericks 3.
- East: Miami Heat (10) at Chicago Bulls (9)
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 picking the Heat. The final tally: Bulls 6, Heat 5.
As the first round of the playoffs approaches, the excitement continues to build. The 3-6 and 4-5 matchups from each conference will tip off on Saturday, with the No. 1 and 2 seeds hosting their Game 1s against play-in tournament winners on Sunday.
In the East, the Boston Celtics are set to face the Orlando Magic. The experts are unanimous in their predictions, with Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Bobby Marks, Jorge Sedano, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, and Ramona Shelburne all picking the Celtics to win. The final tally: Boston 8, Orlando 0.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks will take on the Detroit Pistons. The experts are once again in agreement, with Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Tim MacMahon, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, Jorge Sedano, Ramona Shelburne, Marc J. Spears, Jeremy Woo, and Ohm Youngmisuk all predicting a Knicks victory. The final tally: Knicks 11, Pistons 0.
In the West, the Houston Rockets will face the Golden State Warriors. The experts are leaning towards the Warriors, with Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Jorge Sedano, Dave McMenamin, and Ohm Youngmisuk all picking them to win. Ramona Shelburne and Bobby Marks are backing the Rockets. The final tally: Houston 2, Warriors 6.
Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The experts are unanimous in their predictions, with Jamal Collier, Andre Snellings, Chris Herring, Tim MacMahon, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, Jorge Sedano, Ramona Shelburne, Marc J. Spears, Jeremy Woo, and Ohm Youngmisuk all picking the Lakers to win. The final tally: Lakers 11, Timberwolves 0.
As the NBA postseason heats up, fans can look forward to an action-packed week of basketball. With so much at stake, every game is sure to be a must-watch event.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
