The 2025 NBA playoffs have officially tipped off, with fans in for an action-packed postseason. According to ESPN, eight teams from each conference have advanced to the first round, where they will face off in a best-of-seven series to progress.
All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-seven, and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home-court advantage for that series. As per ESPN, all series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary).
The Cleveland Cavaliers have claimed the No. 1 seed in the East, following a historic season of dominance. The defending champions, Boston Celtics, have wrapped up the No. 2 seed, led by Jayson Tatum and reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. The New York Knicks have clinched the No. 3 spot, with the No. 4 Indiana Pacers and No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks behind them. As reported by ESPN, the Detroit Pistons, one of the biggest storylines this season, return to the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have landed the No. 1 seed for a second straight season, behind MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Houston Rockets have finished at No. 2, one of the season’s most improved teams. LeBron James and Luka Doncic have led the Los Angeles Lakers to a No. 3 seed, while Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets have clinched the No. 4 seed. ESPN reports that the LA Clippers have finished at No. 5, followed by the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves.
The first round series in the Eastern Conference have begun, with several teams taking a commanding lead. The Cavaliers have taken a 2-0 lead over the Miami Heat, with ESPN reporting that Donovan Mitchell tallied 30 points, including 17 points in the fourth quarter, in the Cavaliers’ Game 2 win. The Celtics have also taken a 2-0 lead over the Orlando Magic, with Jaylen Brown scoring 36 points in Game 2.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder have taken a 3-0 lead over the Memphis Grizzlies, with Jalen Williams scoring a crucial 3-pointer to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 8 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Rockets have levelled their series against the Golden State Warriors at 1-1, with Jalen Green scoring 38 points in Game 2.
The ESPN report also highlights that the 2025 NBA Finals are set to tip off on June 5 on ABC and the ESPN App. Fans can expect complete coverage of the NBA playoffs throughout the postseason.
The series between the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers is tied at 1-1, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 39 points to lead the Clippers to a 105-102 Game 2 win. As per ESPN, the series will continue with Game 3 on April 24.
The NBA playoffs promise to be an exciting and unpredictable ride, with several top teams vying for the championship. According to ESPN, fans can expect up-to-date news, scores, and highlights throughout the postseason.
As reported by ESPN, several teams have already made significant progress in the playoffs, with some series expected to go the full seven games.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves are set to face off in a crucial Game 3, with the Lakers looking to bounce back from a 117-95 loss in Game 1. ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith, has weighed in on the series, stating that the Lakers need to find a way to contain the Timberwolves’ star players.
In conclusion, the 2025 NBA playoffs have been filled with thrilling moments and surprising upsets. As per ESPN, fans can expect more exciting games and dramatic finishes as the postseason continues. With expert analysis and coverage from ESPN, fans can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and developments from the NBA playoffs.
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