The 2025 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and our analysts are providing coverage for every game as teams progress towards the Finals.
In Saturday`s Eastern Conference matchups, the Indiana Pacers, seeded 4th, secured a comfortable victory over the 5th-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are now uncertain about Damian Lillard`s availability for Game 2. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks, the 3rd seed, capitalized on the energetic home crowd at Madison Square Garden to win Game 1 against the 6th-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Sunday will mark the start of the postseason for the top two teams in the East. The Cleveland Cavaliers, as the top seed, will host the Miami Heat, who made history as the first 10th-seed to advance from the play-in tournament to the playoffs. Following that game, the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, seeded 2nd, will commence their title defense against the 7th-seeded Orlando Magic.
Here are the main points from Saturday`s games as we prepare for Sunday`s exciting matchups.
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Knicks Lead Series 1-0
Game 1 Result: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
Key Insights:
Entering the series, much was discussed about the Knicks` greater playoff experience compared to the Pistons, who have several young key players. This difference seemed apparent late in the game. Detroit began the fourth quarter with consecutive turnovers – a five-second inbound violation and a shot clock violation. New York quickly took advantage, launching a 21-0 scoring run over four and a half minutes, their best of the season.
Detroit had performed strongly for three quarters, effectively defending Jalen Brunson and limiting OG Anunoby offensively. The Pistons displayed good spacing and ball movement, even with Cade Cunningham`s scoring being contained for periods. However, everything unraveled at the start of the fourth quarter, where New York outscored Detroit 40-21, and the more seasoned Knicks maintained control to secure the win.
Players to Watch:
Keep an eye on Brunson`s condition after he appeared to injure his ankle and changed shoes during Game 1. Despite a slow start, he became dominant in the fourth quarter after the change. For the Pistons, the status of Isaiah Stewart is crucial. He left Game 1 with a knee injury and did not return. His physical presence alongside Jalen Duren is important for the series, especially against Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Pacers Lead Series 1-0
Game 1 Result: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Key Insights:
The Pacers` superior team depth was evident, overcoming the Bucks` reliance on Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Indiana struggled to defend Antetokounmpo, who scored 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, they effectively shut down Milwaukee`s other players, holding them to just 34% shooting from the field. Antetokounmpo only had one assist, highlighting Indiana`s defensive focus on limiting the supporting cast.
A significant difference was in ball movement, with Indiana recording 28 assists compared to Milwaukee`s 15. This led to balanced scoring for the Pacers, with five players scoring in double figures, led by Pascal Siakam with 25 points.
Players to Watch:
The focus is now on whether Damian Lillard will return for Game 2. He has been out since March 18 due to a blood clot in his calf but has resumed practice. The Bucks could greatly benefit from his scoring ability after their supporting players struggled in Game 1.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Upcoming Matchup
Game 1: Sunday
Cavaliers Focus:
Will their three-point shooting return to elite levels? Before March 11, the Cavaliers were the league`s best three-point shooting team. Since then, they have dropped to 19th. Their performance will be crucial. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are excellent playmakers and shooters, and their three-point accuracy significantly impacts the team`s success. Both players have seen a decrease in their three-point percentages recently, which could affect their margin for error in the playoffs.
Heat Focus:
Can the Heat continue their improbable run? After becoming the first 10th seed to reach the playoffs by winning two play-in games on the road, they now aim to advance past the first round. However, this time they are without Jimmy Butler III, which is a major setback. The Heat have been inconsistent, often playing well for three quarters but faltering in the fourth. Avoiding these late-game collapses will be key to making this series competitive.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Upcoming Matchup
Game 1: Sunday
Celtics Focus:
Jaylen Brown`s knee health will be a central concern for the Celtics. He has been managing a bone bruise for weeks. While Boston should be able to win this series and potentially the next even without Brown at his best, his condition is vital for their championship aspirations. How he performs after rest will be closely monitored.
Magic Focus:
Can Orlando exploit Brown`s knee issue by increasing defensive pressure on Jayson Tatum and other Celtics players? The Magic are known for their relentless defense. If they can identify and capitalize on any weaknesses, they might turn the series into a slow-paced, defensive battle, which would favor their low-scoring style of play.