We covered you for the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Consult our serials in series, by breaking down the keys to each match, as well as predictions.
Eastern Conference
Matchup to watch: the attackers
We rarely see that the two best players of the two teams correspond to each other, but we can here.
Advertisement
During their only meeting, Banchero spent most of his time on Tatum and resisted quite well when Tatum did not rush into more advantageous matches in a performance of 30 points. The two are among the most powerful NBA attackers, at least among the new type that can create, well … everything. They are from Duke Bred to be great. One was a global choice n ° 1. The other should have been. What theater.
Wagner and Brown never clashed during the regular season, but Wagner defended a few more people than Brown last season. These are full -fledged creative wings. They will go to their place and organize others in their own just as easily. It's just that Brown is not lacking in outlets, because, in addition to Tatum, White and Holiday and Porziņģis or Horford await the Arc an Open 3. – Rohrbach
Magic-Celtics Series seen, calendar and prediction
Matchup to watch: Cade vs Kat (and the Knicks as a whole)
Cunningham feasted against New York during the regular season, average 30.8 points and 8.3 assists in 33.6 minutes per game while firing at 56.3% of the soil, 52% on a field of 3 points and 80% on the free throw line. The pistons burned down the Knicks up to 121.4 points per 100 possessions with gifts at the controls – 8.1 points per 100 more than New York Defensive note in full season.
Advertisement
The key: Cunningham attacking, handling and operating the Knicks in their favorite pick -And -Roll cover, which sees the big – and the cities of New York – get back to protect the paint. This gives the ball margin to the maneuvering maneuver … who, against an operator like Cunningham, who has pushed his game to a new level this season by becoming a Shooter 35% 3-point sweatercan be dangerous for your health.
If it turns the corner and gets a step, the 6 -foot 6 -inch cunningham and 235 pounds is large enough to bulldozer the more minted or smaller bridges, Brunson and McBride, or to keep them on its hip and go to a comfortable place in the middle of the range. The largest and stronger Anunoby saw Less time on Cunningham than Bridges or McBride during the regular season; It will be interesting to see if Thibodeau changes this.
If Cunningham can win the Kat-And-Mouse game (sorry), ensuring that retired cities take a step towards him in the hope of stopping the ball, he can either put on a pocket pass or loft a lob on the tutoring rolling behind the defense. Robinson, who looks pretty good since his return from an ankle surgery, is a much better defender in the pick-and-roll than the cities or the precious Achiuwa; Heavy minutes for him could be worth a look. – Guess
Pistons-Knicks Series seen, calendar and prediction
Matchup to watch: Giannis Antetomico vs Pascal I will 'you'
No one spent any time defending Antetokounmpo than Siakam in some parts of 130 possessions out of a total of 27 minutes this season, according to the NBA follow -up data. In these minutes, Giannis scored 47 points out of 67% shooting (22-33 FG). Turner could have been a worst option against the Greek monster, granting 38 points out of 56% shooting (14-25 FG) in only 39 possessions, according to follow-up data.
Advertisement
Quite simply: the pacers have no one who can stop Giannis. This is where we remind you that he missed the entire first round series of last year between the two teams, paving the way for the victory of Indiana. – Rohrbach
Bucks-Pacers Series Overview, Calendar and Prediction
Western conference
Matchup to watch: little against big
Yes, it is an excessive simplification. Fred Vanvleet, perhaps the most important player in Houston for his ability to organize their attack and protect the ball, is (listed at) 6 feet. Kerr has two large to deploy the bench: the pillar Looney and the recruit Quinten post. (Jonathan Kuminga is there too… if Kerr Want to look for it.)
Advertisement
For the most part, however, it is the stylistic shock at the heart of this series. Golden State wants to reduce size and put skills on the ground, spread out and cut yourself with a movement of ball and body. Houston loves nothing more than stifling you in size, giving you Nowhere to run, baby, nowhere to hide. – Guess
Warriors-Rockets Service seen, calendar and prediction
Matchup to watch: Anthony Edwards against the Laked Lakers link
It could be Dončić, who was attacked tirelessly in the NBA final last season. It could be realities. It could be James, who at 40 is not the defensive pillar that he was in the past. What decides that Edwards decides is the weakest link in the defense of Los Angeles, he will constantly attack, and he will not lack sweet targets.
Advertisement
Conversely, if the Lakers can bottle Edwards, prepare for a heavy hike, and this is not a recipe for the success of the playoffs. Edwards will turn off Finney-Smith and more advantageous pick-And-Roll games, where he withdrew 1.02 points per possession. Is it enough to counter the fire power of Dončić, James and Reaves? It will depend on the weakness of the weakest link in the Lakers and if Edwards can be as successful against him as the offensive trio of the Lakers will be against a stronger defense. – Rohrbach
WOLVES-LAKERS Service, Calendar and prediction
Matchup to watch: The Clippers vs Jamal Murray
The cannot “stop” Jokić – or even really slow it down. What they can But, it is trying to limit the fallout by cutting other Denver scorers. It means Murray.
Advertisement
Denver went 24-11 when Murray scored 20 points or more This season, and just 17-15 when he did not do it. Murray also missed six consecutive games with a Igschio injury; He returned for the last two games of the regular season, but only drew 11 out of 28 from the ground.
Perhaps the six days between the regular season final and match 1 will give Murray enough rest and training time to reach the shape of Top by Tipoff. But read will prove it.
Expect Murray to see a lot of Kris Dunn, a threat of an elite attack point – tied in the 10th row of the NBA in fly and 17th in DETOUR per match, second in the estimated defensive plus-minus – Who limited Murray to just Three points on four shots out of 59 partial possessions during the regular season. The clips also have many other large and long options to throw on Murray on the bench: Derrick Jones Jr., Amir Coffey, Ben Simmons, perhaps Nicolas Batum (who did the work of Yeoman against Jalen Brunson last spring). – Guess
