The 2025 NBA postseason is set to tip off with the play-in tournament starting Tuesday. Eight teams will compete for the final four playoff berths.
In the Western Conference, a compelling 7-8 matchup features Stephen Curry`s Golden State Warriors against the Memphis Grizzlies. Over in the East, the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks will battle for the coveted No. 7 seed and a first-round series against the reigning champions, Boston Celtics.
Wednesday`s schedule highlights the 9-10 play-in games: the Miami Heat versus the Chicago Bulls, and the Dallas Mavericks against the Sacramento Kings. For these teams, it`s win or go home, as the victors will proceed to Friday`s play-in game to determine the No. 8 seed in each conference.
The excitement continues with the first round of the playoffs commencing on Saturday, showcasing the 3-6 and 4-5 matchups from both conferences. Top-seeded teams will then host their first games against play-in tournament qualifiers on Sunday.
Before the NBA`s biggest stars take center stage in the playoffs, our basketball experts have shared their predictions for every play-in game and first-round series.
Play-in Tournament Predictions
Western Conference
(8) Memphis Grizzlies at (7) Golden State Warriors
Jamal Collier: Warriors
Chris Herring: Warriors
Tim MacMahon: Warriors
Bobby Marks: Warriors
Dave McMenamin: Warriors
Kevin Pelton: Warriors
Jorge Sedano: Warriors
Ramona Shelburne: Grizzlies
Marc J. Spears: Warriors
Jeremy Woo: Warriors
Ohm Youngmisuk: Warriors
Final tally: Warriors 10, Grizzlies 1
(10) Dallas Mavericks at (9) Sacramento Kings
Jamal Collier: Kings
Chris Herring: Kings
Bobby Marks: Kings
Dave McMenamin: Mavericks
Kevin Pelton: Kings
Jorge Sedano: Mavericks
Ramona Shelburne: Kings
Marc J. Spears: Kings
Jeremy Woo: Kings
Ohm Youngmisuk: Mavericks
Final tally: Kings 7, Mavericks 3
Eastern Conference
(8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic
Jamal Collier: Magic
Chris Herring: Hawks
Tim MacMahon: Hawks
Bobby Marks: Magic
Dave McMenamin: Magic
Kevin Pelton: Magic
Jorge Sedano: Magic
Ramona Shelburne: Magic
Marc J. Spears: Magic
Jeremy Woo: Magic
Ohm Youngmisuk: Magic
Final tally: Magic 9, Hawks 2
(10) Miami Heat at (9) Chicago Bulls
Jamal Collier: Bulls
Chris Herring: Bulls
Tim MacMahon: Bulls
Bobby Marks: Heat
Dave McMenamin: Bulls
Kevin Pelton: Bulls
Jorge Sedano: Heat
Ramona Shelburne: Heat
Marc J. Spears: Heat
Jeremy Woo: Bulls
Ohm Youngmisuk: Heat
Final tally: Bulls 6, Heat 5
Eastern Conference First Round Predictions
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Jamal Collier: Knicks in 5
Chris Herring: Knicks in 7
Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 6
Bobby Marks: Knicks in 5
Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 7
Jorge Sedano: Knicks in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 5
Marc J. Spears: Knicks in 6
Jeremy Woo: Knicks in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7
Final tally: Knicks 10, Pistons 0
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Jamal Collier: Pacers in 7
Chris Herring: Pacers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Pacers in 7
Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Pacers in 7
Jorge Sedano: Bucks in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Pacers in 6
Marc J. Spears: Pacers in 7
Jeremy Woo: Bucks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks in 7
Final tally: Pacers 7, Bucks 3
Western Conference First Round Predictions
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Collier: Lakers in 6
Chris Herring: Lakers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Lakers in 6
Bobby Marks: Lakers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 6
Jorge Sedano: Lakers in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers in 6
Marc J. Spears: Lakers in 7
Jeremy Woo: Lakers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers in 7
Final tally: Lakers 10, Timberwolves 0
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers
Jamal Collier: Clippers in 7
Chris Herring: Clippers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Clippers in 7
Bobby Marks: Clippers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 5
Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 7
Marc J. Spears: Clippers in 7
Jeremy Woo: Nuggets in 7
Final tally: Clippers 7, Nuggets 2
