2025 NBA playoffs: Expert picks for the second round matchups

The second round of the NBA playoffs from 2025 is in progress, and eight teams go against the chance to get one step closer to their hopes of the championship.

The Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland No. 1 will accept the No. 4 Indiana Pacers after the Cavs have hit the Miami heat in the first round and the defending champion No. 2 Boston Celtics has to kick against No. 3 -Samen New York Knicks against No. 3 seeds.

In the west, the Denver Nuggets will go on after an exciting series with seven games against the No. 1 seed in Oklahoma City Thunder, and No. 6 Saatgut Minnesota Timberwolves will take over the Golden State Warriors.

After a first round full of sweeps and game 7, our NBA experts meet for every second round.

Timetable and News | Second round preview | Offseason guide

East second round

Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
Against 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 Bembry: 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 figures:
Cleveland 12, Indiana 0

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Boston Celtics (2)
Against 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 Bembry: 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 figures:
Boston 12, New York 0

West Second round

Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
Against denver nuggets (4)

Kevin Pelton: Donner in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Donner in 7
Jorge Sedano: Donner in 6
Jerry Bembry: Donner in 6
Dave McMenamin: Donner in 6
Jamal Collier: Donner in 7
Chris Herring: Donner in 7
Marc Spears: Donner in 6
Jeremy Woo: Donner in 7
Andre Snellings: Donner in 7

Final figures:
Oklahoma City 10, Denver 0

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Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Against Golden State Warriors (7)

Omar Raja: Timberwolves in 7
Jamal Collier: Timberwolves in 6
Jorge Sedano: Timberwolves in 7
Chris Herring: Timberwolves in 7
Dave McMenamin: Timberwolves in 7
Kevin Pelton: Timberwolves in 7
Jeremy Woo: Timberwolves in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Timberwolves in 7
Andre Snellings: Timberwolves in 6
Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Warrior in 6

Final figures:
Minnesota 10, Golden State 1