Breaking News: In a thrilling turn of events in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets have just eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers, setting the stage for the second round of the postseason to begin this Sunday. As the dust settles on the first-round matchups, experts from CBS Sports and ESPN are weighing in with their predictions for the upcoming series, notably forecasting a Celtic victory over the Knicks and a Cavaliers edge against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semis. Meanwhile, Yahoo Sports questions if the Boston Celtics and OKC Thunder can maintain their status as favorites after a pulsating opening round. The updated playoff bracket sees the Nuggets join the locker room of the elite eight, with the remaining first-round contests wrapping up tonight. Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 NBA Playoffs heat up!
H2. Eastern Conference Semifinals: Round Two Heats Up
H3. Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks: A Tale of Two Teams
The NBA’s Eastern Conference second round has just begun, and it’s shaping up to be a intense showdown between four formidable teams. Let’s dive in, starting with the Boston Celtics versus the New York Knicks.
CBS Sports and ESPN experts weigh in with their picks. CBS’ Sam Quinn leans towards the Celtics, citing theirionalmente better three-point shooting and effective defense. ESPN‘s Marcel Mutoni also predicts a Celtics series win, but emphasizes the Knicks’ resiliency, noting, "They won’t go down without a fight."
Did you know? The Knicks have only made it to the Conference Semifinals once since 2000. Will they defy the odds and push the Celtics to the limit?
H3. Cavaliers vs. Pacers: A Battle of Experience vs. Youth
In the other second-round matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers face off against the Indiana Pacers. Both teams bring unique dynamics to the table.
CBS Sports‘s a Cory Tweedy gives the edge to the Cavaliers, highlighting their "championship pedigree" and "
Pro tip: Keep an eye on the Pacers’ versatile forward, Aaron Nesmith. His ability to stretch the floor and defend could be key in this series.
H2. Questions for the Second Round
With the second round underway, here are some key questions to consider:
- MVP Showdown: Both conferences now feature MVP frontrunners (Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo) in their second-round matchups. Who will assert their dominance?
- Cavs’ Game Plan: How will the Cavaliers counter the Pacers’ youth and versatility? Can they maintain their aggressive defensive approach?
- ில்லைCeltics’ Depth: Throughout the first round, the Celtics’ depth was on full display. Will it be enough to overcome the Knicks’ scrappy style of play?
FAQ: Round Two Predictions
Q1: Who’s favored in Celtics vs. Knicks?
- Sam Quinn (CBS): Celtics in 5
- Marcel Mutoni (ESPN): Celtics in 6
Q2: Cavaliers vs. Pacers predictions?
- Cory Tweedy (CBS): Cavaliers in 6
- Tim Bontemps (ESPN): A true toss-up, but give me Cavaliers in 7
H2. About those Playoffs…
The Denver Nuggets deserve a shoutout for their impressive first-round victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Thanks to their dominant performances in the paint and strong clutch execution, the Nuggets have secured their spot in the second round. Bleacher Report has a fantastic updated playoff bracket outlining the remaining matchups.
Yahoo Sports reckons with the power shift in the NBA following the first round. They question whether the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder can maintain their status as favorites heading into the second round. Only time will tell!
CTA: Stay tuned for more updates as the Eastern Conference semifinals heat up! Don’t miss a beat – follow our coverage, and let us know your predictions in the comments below! And if you’re not already, subscribe to our newsletter for daily doses of basketball intel straight to your inbox. 🏀🚀