2025 NBA Playoff Schedule, Odds, and Matchups

2025 NBA Playoff Schedule, Odds, and Matchups Tezzbuzz | Sun, 20 Apr 2025 03:06:02

2025 NBA Playoff Schedule, Odds, and Matchups/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off Saturday with eight opening-round matchups spread across the weekend. Miami and Memphis secured the final spots via play-in wins. Oklahoma City and Boston top the odds to win the championship.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) fights for the ball in overtime of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

NBA Playoff Breakdown — Quick Look

Playoffs start Saturday with four nationally televised games

Miami, Memphis secure last playoff berths via play-in wins

Oklahoma City, Boston top title favorites per BetMGM

Game 1 matchups set across ABC, ESPN, TNT/truTV

Golden State favored despite lower seeding vs Houston

Award finalists to be revealed Sunday on TNT

Draft tiebreaker, early entry deadline coming next week

Milwaukee, Clippers enter playoffs unbeaten in April

Fans react as Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, right, knocks a rebound away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, and forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Deep Look: 2025 NBA Playoff Guide — Matchups, TV Schedule, and Title Odds

Deep Looks

The chase for the NBA Championship begins.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially begin this weekend, with a slate of eight Game 1 matchups launching the race for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. After an intense play-in tournament, Miami and Memphis claimed the final spots and will open their postseason campaigns on Sunday.

Saturday’s Schedule (All Times Eastern):

1 p.m. — Milwaukee at Indiana (ESPN)

3:30 p.m. — L.A. Clippers at Denver (ESPN)

6 p.m. — Detroit at New York (ESPN)

8:30 p.m. — Minnesota at L.A. Lakers (ABC)

Sunday’s Schedule:

1 p.m. — Memphis at Oklahoma City (ABC)

3:30 p.m. — Orlando at Boston (ABC)

7 p.m. — Miami at Cleveland (TNT/truTV)

9:30 p.m. — Golden State at Houston (TNT/truTV)

Monday’s National TV Games:

7:30 p.m. — Detroit at New York (TNT/truTV)

10 p.m. — L.A. Clippers at Denver (TNT/truTV)

Betting Odds Favorites (via BetMGM):

Ololama City +185

Boston +200

Cleveland +550

L.A. Lakers +1000

Golden State +1400

L.A. Clippers, Denver, New York +2500 to +3500

Long shots: Miami (+75000), Orlando (+100000)

Despite being the No. 7 seed, Golden State is favored to win its series against No. 2 seed Houston — setting up one of the early intriguing underdog storylines of the postseason.

Miami, fresh off two road wins in the play-in tournamentbecame the first No. 10 seed to advance since the format’s introduction in 2021. Meanwhile, Memphis overcame injury woes and an inconsistent stretch to punch its ticket.

Key Upcoming NBA Dates:

Sunday, April 20: Award finalists announced (6:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

Monday, April 21: Draft tiebreaker at 3 p.m. ET

April 26: Early entry deadline for the 2025 NBA Draft

May 3-6: Potential Round 2 start dates

Stat of the Day:
Only two teams remain unbeaten in April heading into the postseason — the Milwaukee Bucks (8-0) and the L.A. Clippers (7-0)both entering the playoffs as dangerous No. 5 seeds.