Overview

• The 2025 NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 19, with four first-round games, including the Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Nuggets vs. Clippers.
• Top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, open their campaign against Memphis on Sunday.
• Defending champions Boston Celtics, aiming for back-to-back titles, face the Orlando Magic, with Jaylen Brown expected to play after recovering from a knee injury.
• Cleveland Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, are set to play the Miami Heat, who secured their spot through the play-in tournament.
• Betting markets position Oklahoma City (+185) and Boston (+200) as favorites for the title, followed by Cleveland (+550).