Key Points Summary – NBA Playoff Predictions First Round

• US LIVE’s exclusive first-round predictions are in: Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and Thunder will dominate in the West.
• In the East, Cavaliers, Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks are expected to come out on top.
• Thunder are heavy favorites with the best record in the NBA, while Golden State is poised to upset Houston.
• Miami and Memphis snuck in via dramatic play-in wins, but face brutal matchups.
• LeBron and Doncic team up for the first time in the playoffs as the Lakers battle Minnesota.
• Celtics, Cavaliers, and Knicks are determined to prove they’re the real deal in the East.
• Matchups, schedules, and betting odds reveal a wide-open field with major upset potential.
• Expect fireworks, buzzer-beaters, and legendary battles as the road to the Finals begins.

NBA Playoff Predictions First Round – Buckle Up, the Battle Begins Now!

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are finally here, and US LIVE is ready with our exclusive first-round predictions. Get ready for shocking upsets, buzzer-beaters, and legacy-defining moments as 16 teams take the court with one dream: hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

The field is wide open, the pressure is sky-high, and we’re breaking down every matchup with picks, analysis, and bold calls. Who’s going home early—and who’s going all the way?

Let’s dive in.

Saturday’s Games – Opening Day Heat

1 p.m. ET – Milwaukee at Indiana
Prediction: Bucks in 6
Giannis vs. Siakam is must-watch TV. Lillard might return. Milwaukee ends Indiana’s dream run.

3:30 p.m. ET – L.A. Clippers at Denver
Prediction: Clippers in 6
The hottest team in the league right now? It’s the Clippers. Jokic is elite, but LA steals this.

6 p.m. ET – Detroit at New York
Prediction: Knicks in 6
MSG will explode as Brunson leads the Knicks past the rejuvenated Pistons in a hard-fought series.

8:30 p.m. ET – Minnesota at L.A. Lakers
Prediction: Lakers in 7
LeBron and Doncic take on Gobert and the Wolves’ massive frontcourt. Buckle up for a seven-game war.

Sunday’s Showdowns – Where Champions Begin

1 p.m. ET – Memphis at Oklahoma City
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Thunder have dominated the Grizzlies all season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander smells MVP—and Memphis is out of gas.

3:30 p.m. ET – Orlando at Boston
Prediction: Celtics in 6
Tatum vs. Banchero is electric, but Boston’s depth and shooting will crush Orlando’s Cinderella dreams.

7 p.m. ET – Miami at Cleveland
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6
Herro vs. Mitchell is spicy, but Cleveland’s complete squad handles the Heat’s last-gasp energy.

9:30 p.m. ET – Golden State at Houston
Prediction: Warriors in 6
Curry vs. the Rockets’ young guns. Experience beats enthusiasm in a classic 2-vs-7 upset.

Western Conference Breakdown – The Wild, Wild West

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies
Thunder are rolling. The best record in the league, and they swept Memphis this season.
Prediction: Thunder in 5

No. 2 Houston vs. No. 7 Golden State
Rockets have the talent, but Curry, Draymond, and playoff DNA prove too much.
Prediction: Warriors in 6

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves
LeBron and Luka together? That’s unfair. Minnesota’s bigs will fight, but LA advances.
Prediction: Lakers in 7

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers
Jokic is legendary, but the Clippers are peaking at the perfect time.
Prediction: Clippers in 6

Eastern Conference Breakdown – The East’s Elite

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat
Miami shocked everyone just getting in. But Cleveland is ready.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic
Celtics shoot the lights out. Magic can’t keep up in the long haul.
Prediction: Celtics in 6

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons
Detroit’s comeback story is amazing. But Brunson and New York own the moment.
Prediction: Knicks in 6

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks
Indiana’s got speed, but Milwaukee’s size and playoff poise get it done.
Prediction: Bucks in 6

Betting Odds – Thunder and Celtics Lead the Charge

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, here’s how Vegas sees it:

• Oklahoma City Thunder (+185)
• Boston Celtics (+200)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+550)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)
• Golden State Warriors (+1400)

Everyone else? Long shots. But we all know the playoffs don’t care about odds. Anything can happen.

Don’t Miss These Key Dates

 Sunday, April 20 – Finalists announced for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and more at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

 Monday, April 21 – Draft Lottery Tiebreakers at 3:00 p.m. ET.

April 26 – Deadline for NBA Draft Early Entry.

May 3-6 – Round 2 of the playoffs begins depending on series outcomes.

The Playoff X-Factors

• Can Curry recreate 2022 magic and lead another Warriors run?
• Will LeBron and Luka rewrite playoff history together?
• Is this the Thunder’s true breakout year?
• Will Boston finally get over the hump and finish what they started?
• Are the Knicks quietly building a Finals-worthy squad?

NBA Playoff Predictions First Round – This Is Gonna Be Wild

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are set to explode. From Cinderella stories to championship expectations, the opening round has everything we love: legends, underdogs, rivalries, and drama.

US LIVE’s bold calls have Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, Thunder, Cavaliers, Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks making it through round one. But in this league? Never count out a twist.

So grab your jerseys, set your reminders, and clear your schedule—because the race to the Finals just tipped off, and it’s going to be unforgettable.