NBA Playoffs Round 1 Predictions, Expert Picks & Betting Odds: AI Projections, Best Bets for First Round
The NBA postseason officially begins on Saturday, and we have you covered with the best NBA playoffs predictions, odds, and AI picks for Round 1.
We're still waiting on the final two playoff teams to be decided tonight, which we preview in our NBA play-in tournament predictions, but we've already broken down every Game 1 in detail for the other six series tipping off this weekend.
Here is a full look at the latest NBA odds, expert picks, AI predictions, and more for those six series as part of our NBA picks for the 2025 postseason:
🏆 2025 NBA playoffs bracket: Round 1 matchups & seeds
📰 Follow the official 2025 NBA playoffs bracket for live updates throughout the postseason.
📖 NBA Eastern Conference betting preview: Round 1 odds, predictions & best bets
The Boston Celtics opened as the favorites by the preseason NBA Finals odds to repeat as league champions after beating the Dallas Mavericks in five games in last year's Finals for their first title in 16 years. It's no surprise, then, to see them enter the 2025 NBA playoffs as prohibitive favorites to win the East.
The defending champs have fallen behind the Oklahoma City Thunder - the top seeds in the West - in the title odds across our best sports betting sites, but the Celtics are still the clear favorites to get back to the Finals even as a No. 2 seed.
The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers are the only other team besides Boston with shorter than 10/1 odds. The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers sit behind them as favorites to win their first-round series, while the Milwaukee Bucks are dealing at 50/1 odds despite an eight-game win streak and the potential return of Damian Lillard (calf).
🔢 Odds to win the NBA Eastern Conference
💰 NBA Eastern Conference playoff series odds & Round 1 favorites
Here's a look at the NBA Eastern Conference series odds via BetMGM as of Friday, along with the implied win probability for the favorite using our odds converter.
| Matchup | Favorite | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Hawks/Heat | TBD | TBD |
| No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic | Celtics -5000 | 98.04% |
| No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons | Knicks -425 | 80.95% |
| No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks | Pacers -175 | 63.64% |
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🏀 No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic series prediction, odds & expert picks
Somebody had to draw the Celtics in the first round, and our best sports betting apps clearly have no faith in the Magic, who have less than a 2% chance to beat the defending champions by the latest betting odds.
I'm not sure I'd take Boston 98 times out of 100, but it'd be pretty dang close. The C's followed up last year's title run by winning 19 of their first 23 games and 29 of their last 35 games this season, though their overall record (61-21) and net rating (+11.7) aren't quite as impressive as they were last campaign.
That feels like a classic case of midseason blues for a team with its sights set on another deep run this postseason. And I'd hate to be the warm-up act standing in the way of a potential repeat bid.
🎯 Celtics vs. Magic series prediction
- Celtics in five games (+190 via DraftKings)
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💰 Celtics vs. Magic series odds & betting lines
| Market | Celtics | Magic |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | -5000 | +1600 |
| Series spread | -3.5 (+115) | +3.5 (-150) |
| To win in 4 games | +115 | +15000 |
| To win in 5 games | +155 | +10000 |
| To win in 6 games | +550 | +4000 |
| To win in 7 games | +850 | +3500 |
✅ Celtics vs. Magic Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Celtics vs. Magic Game 1 prediction
- Celtics vs. Magic Game 1 player props
- Celtics vs. Magic Game 1 parlay
🤖 Celtics vs. Magic AI predictions to win series
- Celtics in five games (+190 via DraftKings)
📊 Celtics vs. Magic stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Celtics vs. Magic series schedule
- Game 1: Sunday, April 20 - 3:30 PM ET (TD Garden)
- Game 2: Wednesday, April 23 - 7 PM ET (TD Garden)
- Game 3: Friday, April 25 - 7 PM ET (Kia Center)
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27 - 7 PM ET (Kia Center)
- Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 - TBD (TD Garden)*
- Game 6: Thursday, May 1 - TBD (Kia Center)*
- Game 7: Saturday, May 3 - TBD (TD Garden)*
* if necessary
🏀 No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Detroit Pistons series prediction, odds & expert picks
The Pistons weren't just the worst team in the NBA last season; they were one of the worst teams of all time, setting marks of historic futility that ultimately cost Monty Williams his job one year after signing a nearly $80 million deal.
It only took J.B. Bickerstaff one season to bring Detroit back to the postseason for the first time in six seasons, led by first-time All-Star Cade Cunningham and an emerging supporting cast. Yet running mate Jaden Ivey (leg) will be forced to watch from the sidelines as his team tries to pull off the upset.
I don't see it happening against a revamped Knicks team still led by Jalen Brunson, whose record-setting scoring exploits last year weren't enough to carry New York past the second round. I expect the Pistons to steal a game at home in front of a diehard crowd, but a second win will be hard to come by.
🎯 Knicks vs. Pistons series prediction
- Knicks in five games (+290 via Caesars)
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💰 Knicks vs. Pistons series odds & betting lines
| Market | Knicks | Pistons |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | -425 | +325 |
| Series spread | -2.5 (+125) | +2.5 (-150) |
| To win in 4 games | +450 | +3000 |
| To win in 5 games | +280 | +1800 |
| To win in 6 games | +350 | +800 |
| To win in 7 games | +425 | +1000 |
✅ Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 prediction
- Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 player props
- Knicks vs. Pistons Game 1 parlay
🤖 Knicks vs. Pistons AI predictions to win series
- Knicks in six games (+450 via Caesars)
📊 Knicks vs. Pistons stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Knicks vs. Pistons series schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, April 19 - 6 PM ET (Madison Square Garden)
- Game 2: Monday, April 21 - 7:30 PM ET (Madison Square Garden)
- Game 3: Thursday, April 24 - 7 PM ET (Little Caesars Arena)
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27 - 1 PM ET (Little Caesars Arena)
- Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 - TBD (Madison Square Garden)*
- Game 6: Thursday, May 1 - TBD (Little Caesars Arena)*
- Game 7: Saturday, May 3 - TBD (Madison Square Garden)*
* if necessary
🏀 No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks series prediction, odds & expert picks
One year ago, these teams met in the first round under similar circumstances: the Pacers were the younger, faster team facing a more experienced but banged-up Bucks team missing one of its key stars.
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't see the court in that series, but he'll be ready to go this time around in a Round 1 rematch. Damian Lillard could return in this first-round series against the Pacers, too, after missing the final month of the season with deep vein thrombosis.
Another difference between this year and last? The Bucks have been a better team on a per-possession basis, and while the Pacers have been red-hot to close the regular season, Milwaukee has won eight straight. I feel like the market is sleeping on the underdogs here, so give me the Bucks in seven.
🎯 Pacers vs. Bucks series prediction
- Bucks in seven games (+700 via BetMGM)
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💰 Pacers vs. Bucks series odds & betting lines
| Market | Pacers | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | -175 | +145 |
| Series spread | -1.5 (+130) | +1.5 (-155) |
| To win in 4 games | +1050 | +2000 |
| To win in 5 games | +400 | +1100 |
| To win in 6 games | +475 | +525 |
| To win in 7 games | +375 | +700 |
✅ Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 prediction
- Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 player props
- Pacers vs. Bucks Game 1 parlay
🤖 Pacers vs. Bucks AI predictions to win series
- Pacers in six games (+540 via FanDuel)
📊 Pacers vs. Bucks stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Pacers vs. Bucks series schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, April 19 - 1 PM ET (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
- Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 - 7 PM ET (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
- Game 3: Friday, April 25 - 8 PM ET (Fiserv Forum)
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27 - 9:30 PM ET (Fiserv Forum)
- Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 - TBD (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)*
- Game 6: Friday, May 2 - TBD (Fiserv Forum)*
- Game 7: Sunday, May 4 - TBD (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)*
* if necessary
📖 NBA Western Conference betting preview: Round 1 odds, predictions & best bets
It's rare for a team to emerge as a legitimate title threat without having made a deep playoff run in the past. But it's hard to deny what we've seen from the Oklahoma City Thunder over the last six months.
The Thunder finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA (68-14) - just five wins away from tying the all-time mark. Their net rating (+12.7) ranks second all-time behind the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, and nearly every other team in the top 10 won a title that season.
That's why OKC is dealing as such a short favorite over the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets - all teams led by superstars with previous championship experience. The No. 2 and No. 8 seeds in the West are separated by just four wins, setting up what could be an all-time playoffs.
🔢 Odds to win the NBA Western Conference
💰 NBA Western Conference playoff series odds & Round 1 favorites
Here's a look at the NBA Western Conference series odds via BetMGM as of Friday, along with the implied win probability for the favorite using our odds converter.
| Matchup | Favorite | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies/Mavericks | TBD | TBD |
| No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors | Warriors -165 | 62.26% |
| No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves | Lakers -190 | 65.52% |
| No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers | Clippers -125 | 55.56% |
🛒 Shop around for the best NBA odds from our NBA betting sites.
🏀 No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors series prediction, odds & expert picks
Let's start with the spotlight on the Rockets, who are underdogs in this series despite winning 52 games to earn the No. 2 seed in a banner year for the franchise.
It's hard to say they didn't earn it, too, after posting the NBA's seventh-best net rating (+4.6) and fifth-best defensive rating (114.9). The trouble comes on the other end, where their array of athletic scorers sit 12th in offensive rating (114.9) despite ranking first in second-chance points per game (18.1 PPG) and seventh in fast-break points per game (17).
We've seen this story before in the postseason, and I trust Steve Kerr and Co. to find ways to frustrate Houston's young stars offensively and take away those easy opportunities that fueled their regular-season success. The Rockets' defense is legit, but there is no defensive scheme that can fully shut down Stephen Curry - Ime Udoka should know that by now.
🎯 Rockets vs. Warriors series prediction
- Warriors in six games (+310 via BetMGM)
💰 Rockets vs. Warriors series odds & betting lines
| Market | Rockets | Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | +140 | -165 |
| Series spread | +1.5 (-130) | -1.5 (+105) |
| To win in 4 games | +2500 | +825 |
| To win in 5 games | +875 | +450 |
| To win in 6 games | +800 | +310 |
| To win in 7 games | +500 | +475 |
✅ Rockets vs. Warriors Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Rockets vs. Warriors Game 1 prediction
- Rockets vs. Warriors Game 1 player props
- Rockets vs. Warriors Game 1 parlay
🤖 Rockets vs. Warriors AI predictions to win series
- Rockets in seven games (+500 via BetMGM)
📊 Rockets vs. Warriors stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Rockets vs. Warriors series schedule
- Game 1: Sunday, April 20 - 9:30 PM ET (Toyota Center)
- Game 2: Wednesday, April 23 - 9:30 PM ET (Toyota Center)
- Game 3: Saturday, April 26 - 8:30 PM ET (Chase Center)
- Game 4: Monday, April 28 - 10 PM ET (Chase Center)
- Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 - TBD (Toyota Center)*
- Game 6: Friday, May 2 - TBD (Chase Center)*
- Game 7: Sunday, May 4 - TBD (Toyota Center)*
* if necessary
🏀 No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves series prediction, odds & expert picks
Entering February, the Lakers appeared to be treading water after struggling to regain that championship magic from LeBron James and Anthony Davis' first year together. Then, Los Angeles was gifted a generational star in Luka Doncic, and he seemingly turned the team's title hopes around overnight.
In reality, it's not quite so simple. Sure, Doncic has been brilliant in a supporting role alongside James, and the Lakers have won games at a higher clip (62.9%) with a better net rating (+3.2) since trading for Doncic on Feb. 2. But they're still getting doubled on a per-possession basis by the Timberwolves (+7.6), who have been a top-five team over that same stretch since early February.
It's easy to forget Minnesota was briefly viewed as the front-runner to win the NBA Finals last year after blizting the Suns and Nuggets in the first two rounds before Doncic torched the T-Wolves in the conference finals. There's risk of that here, too, but I simply don't trust Los Angeles' rotation to hold up against a seasoned opponent with something to prove.
🎯 Lakers vs. Timberwolves series prediction
- Timberwolves in six games (+600 via bet365)
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💰 Lakers vs. Timberwolves series odds & betting lines
| Market | Lakers | Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | -190 | +155 |
| Series spread | -1.5 (+120) | +1.5 (-145) |
| To win in 4 games | +900 | +1600 |
| To win in 5 games | +400 | +1000 |
| To win in 6 games | +500 | +450 |
| To win in 7 games | +400 | +600 |
✅ Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 1 prediction
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 1 player props
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 1 parlay
🤖 Lakers vs. Timberwolves AI predictions to win series
- Lakers in six games (+500 via BetMGM)
📊 Lakers vs. Timberwolves stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Lakers vs. Timberwolves series schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, April 19 - 8:30 PM ET (Crypto.com Arena)
- Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 - 10 PM ET (Crypto.com Arena)
- Game 3: Friday, April 25 - 9:30 PM ET (Target Center)
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27 - 3:30 PM ET (Target Center)
- Game 5: Wednesday, April 30 - TBD (Crypto.com Arena)*
- Game 6: Friday, May 2 - TBD (Target Center)*
- Game 7: Sunday, May 4 - TBD (Crypto.com Arena)*
* if necessary
🏀 No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers series prediction, odds & expert picks
It's hard to know exactly what version of the Nuggets we'll see in the first round after the team fired its only championship coach in franchise history just two weeks before the start of the postseason.
As shocking as that move was on its face, it's a little less surprising when you watch Denver play defense. The Nuggets' rotation has been thinned out since its title-winning roster, and the result is a roster that simply isn't built to defend with max effort and knock down threes on the other end in a heliocentric offense around Nikola Jokic.
Unfortunately for Denver, it draws a Clippers team that ranks fifth in net rating (+4.9) behind a top-three defense by efficiency rating (109.4) and two elite isolation scorers in Kawhi Leonard and James Harden - both of whom are healthy until further notice. That's enough for me to back the slim favorites in a tough matchup for Jokic and Co.
🎯 Nuggets vs. Clippers series prediction
- Clippers in five games (+750 via DraftKings)
💰 Nuggets vs. Clippers series odds & betting lines
| Market | Nuggets | Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Series winner | +105 | -125 |
| Series spread | +1.5 (-185) | -1.5 (+150) |
| To win in 4 games | +1300 | +1100 |
| To win in 5 games | +550 | +550 |
| To win in 6 games | +775 | +400 |
| To win in 7 games | +400 | +550 |
✅ Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 predictions & expert picks
- Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 prediction
- Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 player props
- Nuggets vs. Clippers Game 1 parlay
🤖 Nuggets vs. Clippers AI predictions to win series
- Nuggets in seven games (+450 via bet365)
📊 Nuggets vs. Clippers stats, records & Game 1 odds
📅 Nuggets vs. Clippers series schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, April 19 - 3:30 PM ET (Ball Arena)
- Game 2: Monday, April 21 - 10 PM ET (Ball Arena)
- Game 3: Thursday, April 24 - 10 PM ET (Intuit Dome)
- Game 4: Saturday, April 26 - 6 PM ET (Intuit Dome)
- Game 5: Tuesday, April 29 - TBD (Ball Arena)*
- Game 6: Thursday, May 1 - TBD (Intuit Dome)*
- Game 7: Saturday, May 3 - TBD (Ball Arena)*
* if necessary
🏆 NBA Finals odds & prediction: Who will win Larry O'Brien Trophy?
🔮 NBA Finals expert prediction & best bet
The NBA playoffs don't always go according to plan - look no further than last year, when the Mavericks stunned the league with a run to the Finals. But those types of runs are few and far between in a league that has long squashed true parity when April and May roll around.
If all goes according to plan this year, the Thunder and Celtics will be facing off in a little under seven weeks. Those two finished first and second in net rating - a common predictor for postseason success - and have appeared to be on a collision course since the opening weeks of the season.
Oklahoma City has pulled ahead in the betting market behind SGA's brilliant MVP campaign and a deep roster that could round into form at the perfect time with Jaylin Williams, Chet Holmgren, and others key stars finally healthy all at once. But I'm still not willing to bet against a Celtics team that feels like it's been toying with the league for the better part of two years now.
Boston faces a much cleaner path to the Finals with more playoff experience under its belt and its own cadre of rangy two-way stars to throw at OKC. With their odds trading at a relative discount, give me the C's to repeat on their home court and win this series in six games.
🏆 Prediction: Celtics defeat Thunder (+440 via FanDuel)
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🏀 Best NBA betting sites
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- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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