2025 NBA Playoffs Odds, Predictions and Schedule

With the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs wrapped up, basketball bettors and fans are chomping at the bit for the second round (Conference Semifinals) matchups in both conferences.

The Eastern Conference will see its no.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers battle the dangerous Indiana Pacers. However, the heavyweight showdown between the no.2 Boston Celtics and no.3 New York Knicks have some pundits talking about the winner being the favorite to capture the NBA Championship.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit on top of the pecking order and will take on the Denver Nuggets in a series featuring superstars on both teams and the top two NBA MVP candidates.

The Minnesota Timberwolves dispatched the popular Los Angeles Lakers’ duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic as they will take on the winner of the Warriors vs. Rockets.

With that said, let’s take a look at the latest NBA Playoffs odds and make our NBA picks for each NBA Playoff series.

When Do The NBA Playoffs Start?

The NBA Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19. However, the NBA Play-In Tournament will tip off the postseason festivities on Tuesday, April 15 and run through Thursday, April 18.

NBA Playoff Schedule

The following is a breakdown of the 2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule:

• April 15-18: NBA Play-In Tournament
• April 19: NBA Playoffs First Round begin
• May 3-May 17: NBA Conference Semifinals
• May 20-June 2: NBA Conference Finals
• June 5-June 22: NBA Finals

These dates are flexible as the Conference Semifinals and Finals can start earlier depending on how the series play out. Additionally, these dates also include seven games for each series, if necessary.

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NBA Playoffs Bracket

Let’s take a look at the 2025 NBA Playoffs Bracket:

NBA Playoffs First Round

Eastern Conference

• No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. no. 8 Miami Heat
• No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. no. 7 Orlando Magic
• No. 3 New York Knicks vs. no. 6 Detroit Pistons
• No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. no. 5 Milwaukee Bucks

Western Conference

• No. 1 OKC Thunder vs. no. 8 Memphis Grizzlies
• No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. no.7 Golden State Warriors
• No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. no. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
• No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. no. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

• Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
• Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

Western Conference

• OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
• Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

Winner of (no.1/no.8 vs. no.4/no.5) vs. Winner of (no. 2/no. 7 vs. no.3/no. 6)

Western Conference

Winner of (no.1/no.8 vs. no.4/no.5) vs. Winner of (no. 2/no. 7 vs. no.3/no. 6)

NBA Finals

Eastern Conference winner vs. Western Conference winner

NBA Playoff Odds

Check out the latest NBA Playoff odds, courtesy of the best sports betting sites:

NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Predictions

Check out our NBA predictions for the opening round of the NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference:

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18) entered the NBA Playoffs as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and they definitely played like it. The Cavs swept the no.8 Miami Heat and absolutely demoralized them in the final game. Cleveland defeated Miami 138-83 in game four and put the rest of the East on notice.

The Indiana Pacers (50-32) took out the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. There was plenty of drama on the court in this series as these two teams do not like each other. Add in Tyrese Haliburton’s father, an angry Giannis Antetokounmpo, and last year’s Playoff series, you had the makings of a Hollywood script.

One big question mark heading into the series is the health of Cleveland point guard Darius Garland (20.6 ppg, 6.7 apg, 2.9 total rpg). The All-Star guard is suffering from a sprain to his big toe that cost him playing time in the First Round.

Another question mark is how Cleveland matches up against the Indiana. During the regular season, the Pacers were the one Eastern Conference team that had the Cavs’ number. Indiana went 3-1 versus Cleveland and blew them out in most of those games.

And, the one game that the Pacers lost to the Cavs, was when Haliburton was out injured. In the one game where he was at full health vs. the Cavs, Haliburton tallied 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds.

Versus Milwaukee, Indiana’s star point guard averaged 17.6 ppg, 11.6 apg, 6.4 rpg. The Bucks had no answer for Haliburton and I don’t see Cleveland stopping him either. The Cavs won’t have a healthy Garland and the Pacers are a deep team with a wave of talent at the guard position.

Call me crazy, but I’m taking the Pacers to pull off the upset. Indiana could come out of the gates red hot and take Game 1 especially if Garland misses it. They have the talent, clutch players, and depth to beat the Cavs. And, all they need is one road win to capture this series.

Hammer the Pacers’ spread at +2.5 (-135) and the Over 5.5 (-120). This series should go at least six games and Indiana will win it. Even if they don’t, there’s no way that the Cavs win by three games. Easy money with these two wagers.

Bet: Indiana Pacers (+375), Pacers +2.5 (-135), Under 5.5 (-120)

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

This is what the New York Knicks was building for – to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs. The Knicks (51-31) were aggressive last summer as they added All-Star players Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges just to get past Boston in the postseason.

Unfortunately, the new additions didn’t help much in the regular season as Boston swept the Knicks by winning all four games. In fact, the Celtics won at least three of them by 13 or more points.

The Knicks were very fortunate to get by a scrappy Detroit Pistons in the First Round. Some controversial calls late in games and a last-minute meltdown by Detroit in Game 6 helped New York advance.

It’s safe to say that the Celtics (61-21) won’t follow Detroit’s script. They didn’t during the regular season and I don’t see it happening over the next few weeks.

Jayson Tatum was unstoppable against the Knicks in the regular season as he scored 33.5 ppg over the four meetings.

Furthermore, the Celtics have the 8^th ranked offense (116.3 ppg) versus New York’s 9^th ranked defense (111.7 ppg). On the flip side, the Celtics’ defense is second best (107.2 ppg) while the Knicks’ offense is 9^th best (115.8 ppg).

One of Boston’s biggest advantages is 3-point shooting as they ranked 1^st in attempts (48.2) and makes (17.8).

Another advantage for Boston is Kristaps Porzingis. He’s averaged 22.4 ppg against his former team the Knicks since joining the Celtics. Additionally, in the last game these two played against each other on April 8, Porzingis has 34 points.

New York’s Jalen Brunson averaged 26.8 ppg during the regular season against Boston, but other players shriveled up like OG Anunoby who scored only 9 ppg which was well below his season average of 18.0 ppg. Mikal Bridges only averaged 13.8 ppg in the regular season versus the C’s.

Now, this is the first time that these two rivals have played against each other in the Playoffs since 2013. Boston is 4-3 versus the Knicks all-time in the postseason. I expect the C’s to improve their record to 5-3 but I do expect a scrappy New York team that should push this series to at least six games.

Bet: Boston Celtics (-750), New York Knicks -2.5 (-125), Over 5.5 (+100)

NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Predictions

Check out our NBA predictions for the opening round of the NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference:

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

For six games, the series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers was a thrilling one. However, once it went to game seven, the heart of a champion prevailed and the Nuggets crushed the Clips in a game that was never close.

Now, Denver advances to the next round to play against the West’s top seeded OKC Thunder who went 68-14 on the season. The Thunder have been resting since sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies out of the first round in embarrassing fashion.

This is the first time these two teams have played against each other in the Playoffs since 2011. Also, it’s the 24^th time that the MVP (assumed to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) plays against the runner-up (assumed to be Nikola Jokic) in the Playoffs. The previous 23 matchups have seen the MVP’s team go 15-8.

A few more notes about this MVP matchup:

• This is the 4^th time that the MVP vs. Runner-Up have battled before the Conference Finals.
• 12 of the previous 23 matchups took place in the Finals.
• Nine of 11 Non-Finals matchups have seen the winner go on to win the Championship as well.

In other words, the MVP has the trends backing up a victory in this series. And, if those trends hold up, then we could see OKC Thunder go on to win the NBA Championship as well.

During the regular season, the teams split the series with two wins apiece. In fact, over their last four Playoff matchups versus each other, each team has won two series apiece. So, not only do we have the MVP vs. Runner-Up, but we also have recent head-to-head battles that indicate two evenly matched teams.

Jamal Murray is averaging 24 ppg in the postseason. Yet, he’s going up against the best defense in the NBA. The Thunder can roll out three defenders to swarm and pressure Murray all game long.

Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein will both have the responsibility to slow down Jokic and try to equal his contributions in key stats like points and rebounds.

Ultimately, OKC has the talent and depth to beat the Nuggets in this series. The Thunder had nine players in the first round play at least 20 minutes each. That kind of depth will be a huge difference maker versus Denver who just went seven against a tough Clippers team.

A well-rested, deep, and super talented roster will lead the Thunder to win this series in five games.

Bet: OKC Thunder (-800), Thunder -2.5 (-130), Under 5.5 (-145)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors

Don’t look now, but the Golden State Warriors (48-34) have that Championship feel from a few years ago, especially since adding “Playoff Jimmy” to the roster. Golden State has gone 27-10 since acquiring Butler. Additionally, we’re also seeing a more dangerous Buddy Hield as well.

Add Steph Curry and Draymond Green to this mix, and we have a team with the experience to pull off the upset in the second round.

The Warriors were favored over Houston last series, yet the Rockets took it to seven games before Curry and company put them to sleep. Now, we get a poised team with the versatility to go blow for blow with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Speaking of Minnesota, they’re led by one of the best players in the NBA – Anthony Edwards. Last year, he dispatched Jokic and Durant in the Playoffs. This year, he’s already eliminated LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Will he send Steph Curry packing?

The Timberwolves put things into another gear during their opening round series versus the Lakers and took four of five games.

One battle I’m looking forward to watching in this series is Draymond Green vs. Rudy Gobert. These are two players that don’t like each other and have been in physical altercations in the past.

Other players that will be X-factors in this series are Julius Randle for the T-Wolves as he averaged 22.6 ppg against the Lakers, and Jonathan Kuminga who spent more time on the bench than playing last series.

The Wolves are favored here, and rightfully so. They are bigger, longer and deeper than the Warriors. Minnesota dominated the glass with Gobert, Naz Reid and Randle. They will have the same advantage against the Warriors this round.

However, there’s something about Playoff Jimmy, Curry, Green and coach Steve Kerr that keeps me from taking the Timberwolves to win in six. Instead, I’m going with the old dogs to win this series in seven games.

Minnesota has all of the advantages except experience, championship and the shooting of Curry and Hield. Give me the Warriors in seven.

Bet: Golden State Warriors (+150), Warriors +1.5 (-150), O 5.5 (-190)

Scores and Stats NBA Playoffs Betting Recap

The following is a quick recap of our NBA Playoff First Round predictions:

Our Eastern Conference predictions were on-point with all four picks winning their series. The Celtics, Pacers and Cavs all won as easily as expected. The Knicks pulled off a hard-fought victory as we predicted.

The Western Conference was a different story and largely due to the evenly matched teams in the opening round. The Thunder swept the Grizzlies as most thought they would, but the two Los Angeles teams fell short of expectations and predictions.

The Lakers ended up losing to the Timberwolves in five games and the Clippers fell short in game seven of their series against the Nuggets. The Warriors and Rockets also went seven games and put on one of the most entertaining series of the first round. And, as we picked, the Warriors upstaged the no.2 Rockets.

After the first round of the NBA Playoffs, we went 6-2 in our NBA series predictions.