The 2025 NBA Playoffs are upon us, and here are the teams I feel will be moving on to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Want to know who I think will move on in the West? Subscribe to the site or follow on Instagram!

Cavs (1) v. Heat/Hawks (8)

Do I think the second-most-winningest team this season will fall to a shambled Atlanta Hawks or a Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat? No, I do not. However, if Miami make it out of the Play-In (which they most likely will), then I don’t put it past Spoelstra or Herro to perform some miracles. Those miracles being winning more than one game and pushing the series to six games, not winning the series. If the Hawks perform an upset and make it to the first round, then I’ll give Ice Trae a game, but no more. 

Boston (2) v. Magic (7)

As a long-time Celtics hater, I’d love nothing more than to see no-aura-having Tatum and his boys in green have their back-to-back be squashed by squishy-face Banchero. Alas, such dreams are just that—dreams. Gentleman sweep by the Celtics.  

Knicks (3) v. Pistons (6)

We all know that the Knicks aren’t the same team they were last season. They gave up quite a bit of depth for KAT. And though he’s proven to be a much more dynamic and aggressive player playing for the orange and blue, Thibodeau’s stubborn coaching style, which drives his starters to exhaustion, has been an ongoing issue for New York. They also lack the grit and tenacity that was so much fun to watch last season. That being said, you don’t trade all those assets for stars like KAT and Bridges to get kicked out of the first round. Cade Cunningham has had a great season, and J.B. Bickerstaff is most likely this season’s Coach of the Year, but whether that’s enough to get past the trio of Brunson, Bridges, and KAT, I’m not sure. This is a close one, but I’m giving Knicks in seven.  

Pacers (4) v. Bucks (5)

This is a tough one. On one hand, you have Damian Lillard out with an unfortunate blood clot while the Pacers are coming off the regular season on a pretty solid win streak. On the other hand, there’s a man by the name of Giannis Antetokounmpo who’s been frustrated over getting knocked out early the past couple of seasons – by the Pacers for one – and has a chip on his shoulder. On the other, other hand, you have Doc Rivers. Another close one, but I’m giving the reigning NBA Cup champs six games to wrap this one up. 

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