The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is officially underway, featuring eight teams battling head-to-head for a spot in the conference finals and the chance to move closer to their championship aspirations. Following a first round that delivered a mix of quick sweeps and intense seven-game battles, NBA experts have provided their forecasts for each upcoming series.
The action in the Eastern Conference begins with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers facing the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers advanced after sweeping the Miami Heat in the opening round. The defending champion Boston Celtics, seeded No. 2, are set to host the No. 3 seed New York Knicks in another highly anticipated East showdown.
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets, fresh off an exciting seven-game victory, will challenge the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves are awaiting the outcome of the deciding Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets to determine their opponent.
Here`s a look at how our NBA experts see the second-round series unfolding:
East Second Round
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (4)
- Tim MacMahon: Cavaliers in 6
- Kevin Pelton: Cavaliers in 6
- Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers in 6
- Andre Snellings: Cavaliers in 6
- Jorge Sedano: Cavaliers in 7
- Jerry Brembry: Cavaliers in 6
- Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers in 6
- Jamal Collier: Cavaliers in 6
- Chris Herring: Cavaliers in 6
- Marc Spears: Cavaliers in 6
- Jeremy Woo: Cavaliers in 6
- Tim Bontemps: Cavaliers in 7
Final Tally:
Cleveland 12, Indiana 0
Boston Celtics (2) vs. New York Knicks (3)
- Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 6
- Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 5
- Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6
- Andre Snellings: Celtics in 7
- Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 6
- Jerry Brembry: Celtics in 5
- Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 7
- Jamal Collier: Celtics in 6
- Chris Herring: Celtics in 5
- Marc Spears: Celtics in 6
- Jeremy Woo: Celtics in 6
- Tim Bontemps: Celtics in 5
Final Tally:
Boston 12, New York 0
West Second Round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Denver Nuggets (4)
- Kevin Pelton: Thunder in 6
- Ramona Shelburne: Thunder in 7
- Jorge Sedano: Thunder in 6
- Jerry Brembry: Thunder in 6
- Dave McMenamin: Thunder in 6
- Jamal Collier: Thunder in 7
- Chris Herring: Thunder in 7
- Marc Spears: Thunder in 6
- Jeremy Woo: Thunder in 7
- Andre Snellings: Thunder in 7
Final Tally:
Oklahoma City 10, Denver 0
