2025 NBA Eastern Conference Second Round Playoff Predictions

The first round was fun but didn’t have many surprises or upsets. New York’s last second win in Detroit helped avoid a full, seven game series. Cleveland swept Miami and both Boston and Indiana took care of Orlando and Milwaukee respectively in five games. All teams in this upcoming round made it to last year’s semi-conference finals. The Celtics and Knicks have great offenses and defenses to make a fun series while the Pacers will be more of a challenge for the Cavaliers. Two of the remaining four will advance to the conference finals. Time to break down which of the two have the best chance to make round three.

#3 New York Knicks v. #2 Boston Celtics

This is the easiest series in either round. New York cannot beat Boston to save their lives. Asking the Knicks to beat the Celtics four times in seven games is too much. Pencil in Boston for the eastern conference finals.

Prediction: Celtics win series 4-1

#4 Indiana Pacers v. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers

This isn’t the easy series many expect for Cleveland. Both teams pulled their starters in two of their four regular season games and Indiana has improved each week and month. We’ll see how ready the Cavaliers are to take the next step by winning a championship without LeBron James.

Cleveland is fortunate to have the better roster depth and to know the Pacers weren’t challenged much last round against Milwaukee. Both teams will go all-out in this series and try to undermine the other’s patience. Unlike the Cavaliers, Indiana’s defense isn’t as good and still reverts to bad habits when tested by star scorers. It might be a longer series many expect, but there’s no doubt who wins.

Prediction: Cavaliers win series 4-2

Eastern conference first round playoffs record: 4-0