The NBA Playoffs officially commenced with the opening game between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks this past weekend. There were many takeaways, so I am ready to overreact and make some predictions going forward.
I will not be looking at the Thunder, Knicks, Celtics, or Cavaliers series as the outcomes seem inevitable. I will save you all from more reading; those four teams will win their series in five games or fewer.
Instead, I’m going to look at — and perhaps overreact — to some of the other series still up for grabs.
Bucks vs. Pacers
All of the questions being asked about the Bucks seemed to be answered — and in the worst possible way. Although they have a top-three player in the NBA in Giannis Antetokounmpo, their flaws shine brighter. Antetokounmpo can be chalked down for 30, 10, and five every game, and as insane as it sounds, that is not nearly enough output for the Bucks to rally and win four games this series. That is in no way a knock on Antetokounmpo; it is a knock against everyone else.
Kyle Kuzma put up one of the worst games in playoff history. He played 22 minutes and finished with zero points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. He had a plus-minus of -24, and his teammates in Ryan Rollins and Taurean Prince were almost just as equally terrible … which should be almost impossible.
The only positive to look at is that they cannot possibly play that badly again, right? Wrong. The only thing that can save this team is Damian Lillard, who will be returning at some point this series, but will he be able to overcome his fitness issues while also trying to beat the intense pressure the Pacers show him? Between Antetokounmpo’s outstanding play and Lillard, the Bucks can win a game or two, but it seems against their odds to win the series.
“Kuz can play, but we’ve got to involve him and we’ve got to make sure we keep him involved,” head coach Doc Rivers said. Yes, Doc Rivers, the same man who is scheming and drawing up the plays. The most overrated coach and notorious choker and crybaby in recent history, Rivers has shown his true colors yet again.
Doc Rivers on Kyle Kuzma’s scoreless day:
“It’s hard to score when you don’t touch the ball. Kuz can play but we gotta involve him and we gotta make sure we keep him involved” pic.twitter.com/MB4cAMYSka
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 19, 2025
The Pacers are a very solid team with a great core and bench, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. They have done it before and seem to be clicking in all the right spots. A team where players know their roles, play together, and are greatly coached can find success in the playoffs.
Series Prediction: Pacers in 6
Clippers vs. Nuggets
Clippers-Nuggets is a top-two series in the opening round, and it’s not No. 2. Already seeing a multitude of great playoff moments in Game 1, this series is living up to the hype.
A thrilling overtime win for the Nuggets, fueled by Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic’s fourth-quarter heroics, played out the story that the Nuggets have been showing all year: win or lose, the game is going to be close and exciting. Jokic was one rebound shy of a triple-double (yawn) while Jamaal Murray and Aaron Gordon showed out yet again in the playoffs. Michael Porter Jr. looked undetermined, lethargic, and uninspired all game, and he is a player who will need to perform if Denver has title aspirations.
The Clippers had a 51-36 lead in the second quarter, but in the modern NBA, no lead is ever safe, no matter the size. While Los Angeles lost the game, there were a multitude of positive takeaways for the Clippers. The three-headed snake of Ivica Zubac, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden played great together as “Playoff Harden” was able to silence some naysayers with his 32-point outing. Zubac’s spacing and ability to finish were impeccable and Leonard was a monster on the offensive and defensive end, per usual.
James Harden playoff crunch time stats since 2019:
104 Points
35-61 FG (57.4 FG%)
10-25 3PT (40.0 3P%)
71.4 TS% pic.twitter.com/7aMtsavH9Y— Robert (@robert40269940) April 21, 2025
Going forward, Ty Lue will have to figure out how Kris Dunn should be properly used. He had the lowest plus-minus at -8 and looked a bit lost at times. He also seemed to take away from Norman Powell, who will need to perform at a much higher level, similar to how he played throughout the season. Losing Game 1 on the road is not the end of the world for this Clippers squad, but they know this one got away from them.
I expect much more drama in this series and many more moments of brilliance from collective and individual play. Plus, I look forward to seeing who will prevail to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Yes, the Thunder are a lock.)
Series Prediction: Clippers in 7
Lakers vs. Timberwolves
The first upset of the playoffs came in Los Angeles as the Timberwolves prevailed in an emphatic 117-95 win. Since the Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers have looked unstoppable at times. It’s no secret that the trio of Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves has been immaculate. This was not the case on Saturday, though, as the Timberwolves looked dominant throughout the entire game and never took their foot off the gas.
Between the three-point shooting, the overbearing height difference, and the athletics, the Wolves look to be a Western Conference Finals team with the potential for more. Shooting 50 percent from three is a great start to the playoffs, but will the Wolves be able to keep up with their hot hand? They have the NBA’s leading three-point shooter from the past season in Anthony Edwards, so this was not a new sight to them. Jaden McDaniels has to be highlighted for his efforts as he led the team with 25 points, followed closely by Naz Reid with 23.
Bronny James was able to receive three minutes in this game, which should show how out of hand it became. LeBron James, Doncic, and Reaves showed some moments of brilliance, but overall seemed to be playing out of their league. The fans know this is not the case, but between the lack of height and defensive pressure throughout an entire game, can Doncic and James vault the Lakers to the next round?
Nothing is impossible with these two on the floor, especially now that they are together. Edwards is not a man to regress or get comfortable after making the initial wound, but James and Doncic will refuse to let it get out of hand. The Lakers will take Game 2 and even up the series heading back to Minnesota.
Series Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
Rockets vs. Warriors
At 37 years old, Stephen Curry has not lost his touch in the slightest and is running around like a madman for 35-plus minutes every night, creating shots for himself and his teammates. What we are seeing him do is truly astounding, and it seems every game he is hitting a dagger to put the score out of reach.
The Warriors at one point led by 21 points, which was then cut down to three. This Rockets squad is still new to the idea of “winning” — and with growing comes growing pains. Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet looked to be starstruck as shot-making was an issue for them.
The question all year was, “Who will be the guy in the playoffs?” While Alperen Sengun shone, the offensive struggles were blatant. The only time the Rockets were “dominant” at any point in the game was when they challenged Golden State’s small-ball lineup with one that consisted of strength and height. Sengun, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith were too much to handle for the Warriors as they were unable to grab rebounds and the height took over.
Alperen Sengun didn’t just have a great game in his playoff debut but he also made history.
Per the Rockets:
Sengun’s 26 points was the second most ever for a Rocket player in their playoff debut. Only behind Elvin Hayes and Ralph Sampson who both scored 31.
Sengun also the… pic.twitter.com/G7B1bFTKcX
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 23, 2025
Although the Warriors were outrebounded 52-36, they were able to prevail by playing their style of basketball. The Golden State small-ball game is a recipe for disaster; Curry, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr have spent 10-plus years perfecting it. The Rockets have a young core, but they also have players and coaches who can provide insightful playoff knowledge and elevate the athletic and skilled core.
Although the Rockets lost Game 1 at home, they showed fight and did not choose to roll over like the Grizzlies. Curry and Jimmy Butler are both fighting minor injuries, and the question brews: “Can they be this physical and move off the ball so much for seven straight games?” The last time the Rockets played the Warriors, Curry was held to three points. He overcame the Amen Thompson penitentiary last game, but will his age catch up to him and provide Thompson with a leg up going forward?
Series Prediction: Warriors in 7
Main Image Credit:
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
