2025 NBA Playoffs: Expert Predictions for Play-in Tournament and First Round

Sports news » 2025 NBA Playoffs: Expert Predictions for Play-in Tournament and First Round

The 2025 NBA play-in tournament is set to tip off on Tuesday, featuring eight teams battling for the final four playoff spots.

In a highly anticipated Western Conference matchup, Stephen Curry`s Golden State Warriors will clash with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 7-8 game. Over in the East, the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks will compete for the Eastern Conference`s No. 7 seed and the chance to face the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.

Wednesday`s schedule includes two crucial 9-10 play-in games: the Miami Heat against the Chicago Bulls, and the Dallas Mavericks versus the Sacramento Kings. For each conference, the loser will be eliminated, while the winner will advance to Friday`s play-in game for the No. 8 seed.

The first round of the playoffs will commence on Saturday with the 3-6 and 4-5 series from both conferences. The top two seeds in each conference will begin their Game 1s on Sunday, hosting the teams that emerge victorious from the play-in tournament.

Before the NBA`s biggest stars take center stage in the postseason, our panel of NBA experts has made 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Experts` Picks:

  • 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

Hadley Winterbourne

Hadley Winterbourne, 41, calls Manchester his home while traveling extensively to cover NHL and football matches. His journey in sports journalism began as a local football commentator in 2008, eventually expanding his expertise to multiple sports.

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