2025 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Predictions

The east was the first conference to seal both playoff and play-in spots. Milwaukee and Detroit clinched the fifth and sixth seeds before their final game last Sunday. Indiana and Orlando are young teams that again exceeded expectations and will use this postseason to learn how to improve for future playoff appearances. Most believe the conference finals will be a Boston and Cleveland matchup. Milwaukee missing key players throughout the playoffs solidifies this belief. Regardless, four talented and competitive teams will advance to the second round. Time to break down which four have the best chance.

#8 Miami Heat v. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers

This is an embarrassingly lopsided series. Cleveland has better coaching, roster depth and all-around offense and defense. The Cavaliers should make quick work of Miami.

Prediction: Cavaliers win series 4-0

#5 Milwaukee Bucks v. #4 Indiana Pacers

Similar to last year’s second round series, Indiana’s hot offense will face early tests from Milwaukee’s defense. Also similar is how the Pacers know how to beat and get past the Bucks in almost every way. Milwaukee will be the under-manned, lesser talented team the first few games of series with no Damian Lillard. Indiana’s defense has improved and their offense gets better each month. This should also be a quick series.

Prediction: Indiana wins series 4-1

#6 Detroit Pistons v. #3 New York Knicks

This should be one of the funnest playoff series regardless of the round. The physical, resurgent Pistons are this year’s darlings after an awful 2023-24 season. Forward Tobias Harris and guards Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. will be tough to defend against for New York’s Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. The Knicks do have the edge at center and small forward with Karl Anthony-Towns and Josh Hart. New York also has more depth and are better defensively than Detroit. On paper, the talent easily goes to the Knicks. Yet the Pistons will make this a longer series due to how well they match up.

Prediction: Knicks win series 4-2

#7 Orlando Magic v. #2 Boston Celtics

This could be the east’s best first round series. Orlando won the regular season series despite both wins (one at the beginning of the season and one at the end) being months apart. Regardless, the Magic have the players, talent and coaching to take Boston a full seven games.

The Celtics have one of the deepest, most experienced rosters in the NBA. However, Boston hasn’t played at a consistent level like last year. If the Celtics want to keep the edge and escape a first round upset, they need guards Derrick White, Jrue Holliday and Peyton Pritchard to consistently play great.

Given how both of these teams didn’t play each other much throughout the regular season, Boston gets the nod given how well their deep roster adapts and has enough experience to get past a thinner Orlando roster.

Prediction: Celtics win series 4-3

Regular season eastern conference playoffs and play-in predictions record: 9-1