- Playoffs begin April 26 with 8 first-round series
- Oklahoma City (+185) and Boston (+200) lead championship odds
- Miami makes history with first dual road play-in victories
- Golden State favored over higher-seeded Houston in West matchup
- Milwaukee and L.A. Clippers enter postseason undefeated in April
The 2025 NBA postseason launches with unprecedented parity as 16 teams vie for basketball supremacy. This year's bracket features compelling storylines from Miami's historic play-in run to surprising odds favoring seventh-seeded Golden State over second-seeded Houston. With four opening-day matchups airing across ESPN and ABC, fans can expect non-stop action from the opening tip.
Saturday's quadruple-header showcases Eastern Conference contenders Milwaukee and Indiana battling at 1 PM ET, followed by defending champion Denver hosting the Clippers. The nightcap features LeBron James' Lakers facing Minnesota's rising stars at 8:30 PM. Sunday matchups include a potential offensive showcase when Memphis visits Oklahoma City's top-ranked defense.
Betting markets reveal fascinating insights with three sub-.500 teams (Miami, Memphis, Orlando) carrying +75000 or longer odds. Meanwhile, the Thunder's +185 designation reflects confidence in their league-best 58-24 regular season record. Our analysis suggests three critical factors shaping the postseason:
- Home-court advantage: Top seeds went 192-88 (.686) at home this season
- Injury impacts: 12 All-Stars missed ≥15 games during regular season
- Clutch performance: Boston leads NBA with 28 wins in 3-point games
The Los Angeles market emerges as a regional powerhouse, hosting three playoff teams (Lakers, Clippers, Golden State). Local economists project $380M in combined revenue from ticket sales and tourism during first-round games alone. This marks a 22% increase from 2024's SoCal playoff activity.
Historical trends favor experienced rosters, with 14 of last 15 champions featuring multiple All-NBA selections. This bodes well for Denver (+3500) and their core of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. However, advanced metrics suggest Oklahoma City's league-leading defensive rating (107.3) could disrupt traditional playoff formulas.
Award finalists announcement Sunday adds intrigue, with MVP candidates expected to include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum. The May 3 second-round start date allows for maximum rest between series, particularly crucial for veteran-laden teams like Miami and Golden State.