NBA Playoffs 2025: Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals Heat Up
May 5, 2025, 10:21 PM ET
The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is upon us, and the excitement is palpable as teams battle it out in the Eastern and Western conference semifinals. Our NBA insiders are here to provide you with all the insights and updates you need for every game. Let’s dive into the action and see what’s been happening on the court.
The Eastern Conference semifinals kicked off with a bang as the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers managed to snatch home-court advantage from the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with a 121-112 victory in Game 1 on Sunday night. The Cavaliers, who are determined to bounce back, will have another shot at redemption in Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the East’s third-seeded New York Knicks pulled off a thrilling overtime victory against the 2-seed Boston Celtics in Game 1, thanks to Jalen Brunson‘s impressive 29-point performance. The Western Conference also saw action as the 4-seed Denver Nuggets faced off against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
As the chase for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy continues, here’s a closer look at what matters most in both conferences and what to keep an eye on in all four series.
Eastern Conference
New York Knicks (3) lead Boston Celtics (2) 1-0
Game 1: Knicks 108, Celtics 105
What we learned: The Knicks demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to secure a victory. The Celtics, on the other hand, seemed to falter by relying too heavily on three-point shots, attempting a playoff-record 60 3-point attempts. This strategy backfired, especially with key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggling from beyond the arc. The Knicks capitalized on this, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart overcoming foul trouble to lead their team to an overtime win.
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch: The Celtics need to reassess their shot selection, particularly Tatum and Brown, who combined for just 5-of-25 from beyond the arc. The potential return of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed the second half of Game 1 due to illness, could be a game-changer. The Knicks, buoyed by their comeback win, now have the confidence to challenge the Celtics, having previously struggled against them in the regular season. — Chris Herring
Indiana Pacers (4) lead the (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0
Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
What we learned: The Pacers came out swinging, taking control of the game from the start and maintaining their lead to secure a crucial win. Indiana’s impressive performance included 19 3-pointers, the second most in franchise playoff history, with six players scoring in double figures. Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental, contributing 22 points, 13 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal, while the team shot 58% from beyond the arc on his passes.
Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch: The status of Darius Garland is crucial for the Cavaliers. While they managed to advance past the Miami Heat in the first round without him, the Pacers present a tougher challenge. Cleveland will need Garland’s offensive prowess to support Donovan Mitchell, who scored 33 points in Game 1. — Jamal Collier
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
