The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is officially underway, with our NBA insiders providing coverage for every matchup in the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals.
The Eastern Conference saw the 4th seed Indiana Pacers begin their series by securing home-court advantage against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with a 121-112 victory in Game 1. The Cavaliers will aim to rebound in Game 2.
Looking ahead, the 3rd seed New York Knicks are set to visit the 2nd seed Boston Celtics for their Game 1. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the 4th seed Denver Nuggets will face off against the 1st seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
As teams continue their quest for the coveted Larry O`Brien Trophy, here’s a look at the key developments and what to watch for across all four semifinal series.
Indiana Pacers (4) Lead Cleveland Cavaliers (1) 1-0
Game 1 Result: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
What We Learned in Game 1:
Indiana delivered the initial blow, snatching home-court advantage early in the series after outscoring Cleveland significantly in the final quarter (29-22). Despite entering as underdogs against the top seed, the Pacers took control from the start, establishing an early lead and dictating the pace of the game. This handed Cleveland their first defeat of the current playoff run.
The Pacers were highly effective from beyond the arc, sinking 19 three-pointers, which ranks as the second-highest total in franchise playoff history. Six Indiana players reached double figures in scoring. Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton had a standout performance with 22 points, 13 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal, as the team shot an impressive 7-of-12 (58%) from three-point range on passes originating from him.
What to Watch in Game 2:
The availability and effectiveness of Darius Garland are crucial for Cleveland in this series. While the Cavaliers managed to advance in the first round against the Miami Heat without being at full strength, Sunday`s opener clearly showed that the Pacers represent a significant step up in competition.
Indiana consistently managed to create open shooting opportunities and convert them. Cleveland will need Garland, who has missed the last three playoff games due to a sprained big toe, to step up and provide much-needed offensive support for Donovan Mitchell, who was the Cavaliers` leading scorer with 33 points in Game 1. — Analysis by Jamal Collier
Game 2 Schedule: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)