2025 NBA playoff picks: Experts predict the play-in and first round

The 2025 NBA play-in tournament began Tuesday and will end Friday, as eight teams go head-to-head for the last four spots in the playoffs.

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriorsbeat their Western Conference rivals the Memphis Grizzlies in the 7-8 game on Tuesday night. In the East, the Orlando Magicrouted theAtlanta Hawksclaiming the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup against the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Wednesday, meanwhile, features two 9-10 play-in matchups in Miami Heat–Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks–Sacramento Kings. The loser goes home while the winner advances to Friday’s play-in for each conference’s No. 8 seed.

The first-round tips off on Saturday with the 3-6 and 4-5 matchups from each conference. The No. 1 and 2 seeds will host their Game 1s against play-in tournament winners on Sunday.

But before the NBA’s biggest superstars take the postseason stage, our NBA experts are making their picks for every play-in game and first-round series.