The NBA playoffs opened with a bang yesterday. We saw some blowout games and some nail-biters.
Today is day two for the playoffs and we’ll take a look at each matchup, giving our thoughts on which team will win the series.
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Related: NBA Play-In: Grizzlies Eliminate Mavericks, Clinch 8th Seed
(8) Grizzlies vs. (1) Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies are coming off a big Play-In win over the Dallas Mavericks, securing the final spot in the playoffs. Their reward is to face the best team in the league.
The Grizzlies have star power in Ja Morant, but the challenge that lies ahead may be too daunting. The Oklahoma City Thunder had a historic season.
The Thunder won 68 games during the regular season. This makes them just the seventh team to achieve this feat. Out of the other six teams to reach at least 68 wins, four went on to win the championship.
OKC had the second-highest net rating in NBA history, which was +12.8. The only team to have a higher rating was the 72-win Chicago Bulls in 1996, led by Michael Jordan.
The Thunder were fourth in points scored (120.5) and third in points allowed (107.6) this season. This shows how consistent of a team they are.
The Grizzlies were one of the best-scoring teams this season, coming in second with 121.7 points per game. The problem for Memphis was on the defensive end.
Memphis was only twenty-fourth in the league in points allowed at 116.9. With their struggles defensively and how good OKC is overall, the Grizzlies have no real shot at winning the series.
Prediction: Thunder win 4-0
(7) Magic vs. (2) Celtics
The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics are looking to repeat this season. Unfortunately for Boston, they have to go through Orlando in the first round.
The Magic are a young and talented team led by the one-two punch of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando was the best defensive team in the league this season, ranking first in points allowed at 105.5.
The only problem for the Magic, and the reason they won just 41 games, is because of their struggles offensively. Orlando ranked twenty-eighth in points scored at 105.4, and this will be their downfall.
The Celtics are a great team with a lot of firepower. Boston ranked eighth in points scored at 116.3 and was second in points allowed at 107.2.
Not only can the Celtics defend, but they can score. This is something the Magic will struggle against. Oh, and the Celtics have their own one-two punch in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Prediction: Celtics win 4-1
(8) Heat vs. (1) Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers won 64 games during the season. This was the second most games won in the league, only behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Miami Heat struggled this season. They lost Jimmy Butler halfway through the year and only won 37 games. Still, the Heat came through in the Play-In, winning two huge games to clinch the eighth seed.
Which team has the advantage? This question isn’t hard to answer. The Cavaliers are the clear favorites to win the series.
Cleveland averaged 121.9 points scored per game as a team. This was the most scored by a team in the entire league.
The Heat only averaged 110.6 points scored as a team. Miami doesn’t have enough firepower to compete with the Cavs, giving them no real shot at winning the series.
Don’t be surprised, however, if the Heat come away with a win in Game 1, as they have great momentum thanks to their two Play-In games. This would likely be their only victory.
Prediction: Cavaliers win 4-1
(7) Warriors vs. (2) Rockets
This matchup will be interesting, to say the least. The Houston Rockets are a young, well-coached team that has players who can score and defend.
Houston ranked fourteenth in points scored (114.3) and sixth in points allowed (109.8). The Rockets surprised everyone by winning 52 games and securing the second seed. Can they shock everyone in the playoffs?
The Golden State Warriors are not the same team that was struggling early in the season. They’ve acquired Jimmy Butler and things have instantly changed in their favor.
Golden State has been on a tear, getting right back in the playoff hunt. The Warriors took care of business in their Play-In game against the Memphis Grizzlies, with Butler and Stephen Curry having huge games.
38 FOR JIMMY BUTLER III.
37 FOR STEPHEN CURRY.WARRIORS TAKE THE WEST'S #7 SEED ???? pic.twitter.com/g7Za1dT8ap
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2025
The Warriors ranked seventeenth in points scored (113.8) and eighth in points allowed (110.5). So, which team has the edge?
This series should be a close, hard-fought battle, but championship experience should prevail. Golden State is likely to shock the young Rockets, thanks to the brilliance of Curry and Butler.
Prediction: Warriors win 4-3
There you have, our predictions for the remainder of the playoff series this year. Will we be correct in our predictions? Or will there be upsets?
Stay tuned, tip-off begins at 1:00 PM EST.
