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Wizards vs. Bulls Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 11

It’s Friday, April 11, and the Washington Wizards (17-63) and Chicago Bulls (37-43) are all set to square off from United Center in Chicago.

The Wizards are currently 9-30 on the road with a point differential of -12, while the Bulls have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. Chicago is 2-1 versus Washington this season with a 33-point win in the previous meeting.

Chicago has won four of the past five games with two coming by double-digits. Washington has lost four straight games and seven of the past eight.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Wizards vs. Bulls live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: United Center
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Wizards vs. Bulls

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Wizards (+802), Bulls (-1333)
  • Spread:  Bulls -15.5
  • Over/Under: 235 points

That gives the Wizards an implied team point total of 116.64, and the Bulls 124.71.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Wizards vs. Bulls game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Wizards on the ML:

"While the chances of Washington winning this game are very slim, double-digit underdogs are profitable in the final week of the season, so I have to lean toward Washington."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Wizards & Bulls game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Bulls at -15.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 235.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Wizards vs. Bulls on Friday

  • The Wizards have lost 4 of their last 5 games
  • Each of the last 3 matchups between the Wizards and the Bulls have stayed under the Total
  • The Bulls have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Embiid has successful surgery on left knee, Sixers announce

Embiid has successful surgery on left knee, Sixers announce  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday, the Sixers announced.

The team said Embiid’s surgery was performed by Jonathan L. Glashow at NYU Langone Sports Medicine Center. The seven-time All-Star will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks. 

Embiid considered a variety of options before opting for surgery on his bothersome knee. He was officially ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 and last played on Feb. 22.

Though Embiid had surgery last February on his left lateral meniscus, the knee remained a major issue and he was frustrated by recurring swelling. Embiid will end up missing 63 of the Sixers’ 82 games this season. 

“There have been those times where sincerely — Joel himself, medical staff — he looks very much on the way toward playing,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said on Feb. 7. “And then primarily, his injury is one where you’re managing his symptoms, swelling and pain. When those things happen, it’s best for him to sit out. 

“I know that Joel is doing everything he can and fighting to be out there as much as possible. … On this injury that he had last February and had the procedure on, it’s one that you manage symptoms. We’re optimistic long term, talking to the doctors. … I think we’re at seven, eight, nine, 10 of the top people in the world at this point who all see this as (an injury) that over time will improve. But it’s happened slower than anyone’s anticipated. But we love how Joel’s fighting.” 

In general, the 24-56 Sixers never truly stemmed their flow of injuries throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

Their season-ending injuries include Embiid, Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain), Paul George (adductor and left knee), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery). 

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Denver nearly fired Michael Malone, Calvin Booth at All-Star break but winning streak postponed move

What stunned people around the NBA most about the firing of coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth in Denver was not the act itself: Malone was thought to be in trouble if the Nuggets didn't make a deep playoff run, and Booth had tried to negotiate a new contract all season long and not gotten one, a bad sign.

It was the timing that confused everyone — who fires a coach with three games and less than a week left in the regular season?

It turns out that team president Josh Kroenke wanted to make this move around the All-Star break, but the team won eight in a row, leading into it, reports Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne at ESPN.

Kroenke made the decision to fire Malone and Booth late Sunday night, sources told ESPN. It wasn't the first time this season that Kroenke seriously pondered parting ways with the winningest coach in franchise history and the executive who had put together the final pieces of the Nuggets' championship puzzle. Kroenke wanted to clean house at the All-Star break, sources said, but an eight-game winning streak spared Malone and Booth.

Tension between a GM and coach is natural — every coach wants players who can help win now, and every GM has to think about the future, not just the present. In Denver, that tension had spiraled, grown toxic, and divided the entire organization into two camps. Kroenke felt he had to make a move — and he probably did at some point — and he couldn't let one side "win." Everyone had to go.

Still, with less than a week to go in the season, the timing seems likely to undercut a hoped-for playoff run.

A couple of other notes from ESPN:

• The players were caught in the middle of the Malone vs. Booth tug of war and were not happy, and that showed on the court with inconsistent play. One source put it this way:

"The players were freakin' miserable, man. You could see it. The effort would come and go. I just wish it happened sooner. We wouldn't be in this mess."

• Maybe the least surprising news: Malone did not take the news well, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on his The Hoop Collective podcast:

"It got out pretty quickly in the NBA that Michael Malone's reaction to being fired was not calm, which is not a surprise. I don't blame him."

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Hawks vs. 76ers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 11

It’s Friday, April 11, and the Atlanta Hawks (38-42) and Philadelphia 76ers (24-56) are all set to square off from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

The Hawks are currently 18-22 on the road with a point differential of -1, while the 76ers have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Atlanta is 2-0 against Philadelphia this season with 9 and 13 points.

The 76ers' win over the Wizards snapped a 12-game losing streak for Philly, while. the Hawks are 2-4 in the previous six games.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hawks vs. 76ers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Wells Fargo Center
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hawks vs. 76ers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Hawks (-602), 76ers (+441)
  • Spread:  Hawks -11.5
  • Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Hawks an implied team point total of 123.93, and the 76ers 117.94.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Hawks vs. 76ers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the 76ers ML against the Hawks:

"While nobody will be with me, one of the best strategies over the last week of the season is backing double-digit underdogs as teams lose interest in winning because of not being in the playoffs or are content with their seeding. The Hawks need to win both of their last two games to lock in the 8 seed, but one of those is against Orlando, while Chicago plays Washington and Philadelphia, so it's unclear whether the Hawks will go all out here or on Sunday or not at all. I lean the 76ers ML for the value in their final home game."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hawks & 76ers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Hawks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Philadelphia 76ers at +11.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 238.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hawks vs. 76ers on Friday

  • The 76ers have lost 14 of their last 17 home games
  • 8 of the Hawks' last 9 matchups with the 76ers have gone over the Total
  • The 76ers have covered the Spread in their last 3 games
  • The Hawks have lost 4 of their last 5 games against teams with losing records

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Knicks' Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby must step up defensively in playoffs

The Knicks finished the regular season an abysmal 1-11 in games against the Celtics, Cavs and Pistons.

Maybe you don’t think Friday’s loss should count toward that record because both teams rested key players -- reasonable people can disagree on that.

But there’s not much room to debate one aspect of the Knicks’ play against Boston, Cleveland, and Detroit: their wings have been underwhelming.

Young Pistons star Cade Cunningham averaged 30.8 points, 8.3 assists and five rebounds in four games against the Knicks this year. He hit 49-of-87 shots (56 percent) and went 13-for-25 from three in those games, amassing 33 assists against 10 turnovers.

Who will guard Cunningham in the series?

If you asked Tom Thibodeau, he’d probably (correctly) say the Knicks will guard Cunningham as a team -- but they will need OG Anunoby and/or Mikal Bridges to play stellar individual defense against Detroit’s lead guard.

If the Knicks get past the Pistons (no easy task), they’ll probably have to deal with Jayson Tatum and the Celtics in the second round. It’s worth noting that Tatum averaged 33.5 points on 53 percent shooting (48 percent on threes) against New York this season.

The numbers from Cunningham and Tatum are jarring.

To be fair, both Bridges and Anunoby have strong offensive numbers against Detroit, and any evaluation of the two wings shouldn’t ignore their strong play during Jalen Brunson’s recent four-week absence (Anunoby, in particular, was playing at a very high level on both sides of the ball).

But the Knicks didn’t spend immense capital on Bridges and Anunoby for their offense.

They acquired both players to defend at a high level and supplement the offense around Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The defense hasn’t been there often enough against the Pistons and Celtics -- the same is true of the Cavs, but New York would have to get through Detroit and Boston to face off again against the Cavs. 

Right now, that seems highly unlikely.

The Knicks are disjointed on both ends of the floor -- they left the Garden on Friday demoralized after blowing a 23-point lead to the Cavs’ B-team. After Sunday’s regular season finale, New York will have a week or so to figure things out before Game 1 against Detroit. 

If the Knicks can get on the same page next week and somehow get past the Pistons and Celtics in the postseason, no one will remember these regular-season struggles. 

But if the opposite happens -- if the Knicks get embarrassed against Detroit and/or Boston in the postseason -- you can be sure there will be some hard offseason conversations about the future of the franchise. 

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Magic vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 11

It’s Friday, April 11, and the Orlando Magic (40-40) and Indiana Pacers (49-31) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Magic are currently 18-21 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Pacers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. Orlando is 2-1 versus Indiana this season but they haven't met since November.

Orlando has won four consecutive games and five of the past six in order to climb to 40-40 on the year. Indiana has won their last six games and seven of the last eight.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Magic vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Magic vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Magic (+203), Pacers (-248)
  • Spread:  Pacers -6.5
  • Over/Under: 219 points

That gives the Magic an implied team point total of 108.43, and the Pacers 111.82.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Magic vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Magic to cover and the Under:

"Indiana ruled out a few starters for this matchup, which was surprising, but teams are playing chess with their potential playoff matchups this time of year. This spot screams Orlando to me as underdogs with a lower-scoring matchup."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Magic & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Indiana Pacers at -6.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 219.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Magic vs. Pacers on Friday

  • The Magic have won 7 straight matchups against Eastern Conference teams
  • The Under is 27-23 in the Magic's matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season
  • The Magic have covered the Spread in 6 of their last 7 matchups against Eastern Conference teams
  • The Magic have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Bucks vs. Pistons Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 11

It’s Friday, April 11, and the Milwaukee Bucks (46-34) and Detroit Pistons (44-36) are all set to square off from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The Bucks are currently 19-20 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Pistons have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home. Milwaukee is 2-0 versus Detroit this season and the final two games of the season will be between these squads.

Milwaukee has won six consecutive games, while Detroit is 2-4 in the last six games, but coming off a win versus New York.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Bucks vs. Pistons live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Little Caesars Arena
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Bucks vs. Pistons

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Bucks (+199), Pistons (-243)
  • Spread:  Pistons -6.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Bucks an implied team point total of 114.41, and the Pistons 117.8.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Bucks vs. Pistons game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Under between the Bucks and Pistons:

"Milwaukee is on the second night of a back-to-back after beating New Orleans last night and resting the starters in the fourth quarter. Detroit had a tough-fought matchup with New York last time out, so I expect this to be another competitive game and defense to be at the forefront of this matchup. I lean the Under."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Bucks & Pistons game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Bucks at +6.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Bucks vs. Pistons on Friday

  • The Bucks have a losing road record this season (19-20) but have won their last 3 games
  • 7 of the Bucks' last 8 matchups with the Pistons have gone over the Total
  • The Pistons have covered in 43 of their 80 games this season
  • The Bucks have won 4 of their last 5 at Eastern Conference teams

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Hornets vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 11

It’s Friday, April 11, and the Charlotte Hornets (19-61) and Boston Celtics (59-21) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston.

The Hornets are currently 7-32 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Celtics have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Boston is 2-0 with double-digit wins in both meetings versus Charlotte.

Boston has won 12 of the past 14 games entering this contest but is 2-3 over the past five. Charlotte is on a five-game losing streak and 10 out of the previous 11.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hornets vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hornets vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Hornets (+1363), Celtics (-3125)
  • Spread:  Celtics -20
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Hornets an implied team point total of 106.32, and the Celtics 116.69.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Hornets vs. Celtics game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Under and Hornets ML between the Hornets and Celtics:

"Boston and Charlotte are sitting a majority of the starters in this game with very different goals of how to end the season for each team. This will be an ugly watch, so I'd roll with the Under, especially since Boston didn't crack 80 points in its last outing (96-76 loss to Orlando). For the value, I'd take a crack at Charlotte's ML (+1363) and all double-digit underdogs on Friday and Sunday."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hornets & Celtics game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Charlotte Hornets at +20.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 214.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hornets vs. Celtics on Friday

  • The Celtics have won 4 straight home games against the Hornets
  • Each of the Celtics' last 3 home games against the Hornets have gone over the Total
  • The Celtics have failed to cover the Spread in 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference teams
  • The Celtics have won 4 straight home games against the Hornets

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Ja Morant says it's not a grenade 3-point celebration: 'I'm taking my words, and I'm throwing them out there'

Ja Morant was warned about celebrating 3-pointers with a finger gun pointed at the opponent's bench, and when he did the finger-gun celebration again the league came down on him with a $75,000 fine.

So Morant switched to this celebration, which looks like he is pulling the pin on a grenade and throwing it into the crowd.

Before the Grizzlies fell to the Timberwolves on Thursday night, Morant said he was sticking with this celebration.

"That's my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I'll find another one," Morant said, via the Associated Press.

After the game, he said that celebration is not what everyone thinks it is (hat tip Clutch Points).

"Listen, it's not what you think it is. I'm taking my words, and I'm throwing them out there. I'm speaking Ja. I'm being Ja. I'm going to take my words, I'm going to throw them out there, and then I'm going to block out the noise. And that's what I'm doing. So when you see me do that, that's what I'm doing. I'm saying what I got to say to the world, and I'm blocking out the noise in the midst of what's coming back my way. And that's how it's going to be."

Or, the way it's going to be until the league warns him about this celebration. But he can always find another one.

Posted on

Fantasy Basketball End of Season Roundtable: Nikola Jokic, Dyson Daniels among the fantasy MVPs

While some fantasy managers compete in leagues that run through the end of the NBA's regular season, most were completed by the end of Sunday's games. Congratulations to those who won their leagues and the money (and bragging rights) that comes with it. Those who did not will reflect on what went wrong and how they can avoid a similar fate next season.

With the fantasy season effectively over, now is a good time for the Rotoworld fantasy basketball staff to have a few roundtable discussions.

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at New Orleans Pelicans
Fantasy Basketball End of Season Roundtable: Kyle Kuzma, Joel Embiid among fantasy disappointments
The Rotoworld basketball staff picks their fantasy duds for the 2024-25 season.

The final installment focuses on the most valuable players in fantasy basketball. For some, it's the player who led the way in the rankings, while others prefer to pick a player who proved far more valuable than expected during the preseason. Nick Shlain, Noah Rubin, Raphielle Johnson and Zak Hanshew made their choices, which are (mostly) unlikely to align with the winner of this season's official Most Valuable Player award.

Who is your Most Valuable Player in fantasy basketball this season?

Nick Shlain: The top three players that separated themselves from the pack this season were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama. With Wembanyama going down with injury at the All-Star break, that left SGA and Jokic. While I’ve been partial to Jokic in the past and believe his skillset is more valuable in fantasy in a vacuum, injuries cost him some games in the second half. Entering play Friday, Jokic played 68 games to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 76. In my opinion, that’s significant enough to tip the scales for SGA, who had an incredible season that will likely result in his first MVP award.

Noah Rubin: You could look at this award a few different ways. Sure, Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were technically the "most valuable" players in fantasy basketball. However, relative to ADP, few players were as valuable as "The Great Barrier Thief." Dyson Daniels was also my pick for the most improved player in fantasy basketball, and I had to limit myself from giving him more awards. He's on pace to play in 77 games, which is a huge win in today's NBA. Of course, the massive lead in steals and the improvements across the board have made Daniels a fantasy superstar. He won't win this award again since there is no way he goes this late in drafts again. The season-long numbers are already fantastic, but he's also made improvements throughout the year, as he has averaged more points, rebounds and assists per game over the past two months than he has for the season while also improving his field goal percentage. The No. 8 overall pick in 2022, Daniels has soared in his first season in Atlanta and helped many fantasy managers bring home rings.

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Raphielle Johnson: While most of the players at the top of the rankings were expected to be there before the season began, I think the more valuable fantasy assets are those who exceed preseason expectations by a significant margin. Dyson Daniels certainly qualifies, but I'll take Josh Hart here. He's set the Knicks franchise record for triple-doubles in a season, and the versatile wing has provided top-30 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Between the positional eligibility, production and availability, Hart has been one of the most valuable players in fantasy basketball this season. And unlike Daniels, whose Yahoo! ADP will likely skyrocket in the fall, Hart may still be able to provide elite value relative to where he's drafted. Unless the Knicks were to move one of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges during the offseason, Hart will again be fifth in the offensive pecking order next season. That could keep his ADP within "reason," setting up Hart to remain a high-value option in fantasy leagues.

Zak Hanshew: It feels cheap to name Nikola Jokic as the fantasy MVP, but there's no denying his greatness. Jokic was drafted as a top-three pick and delivered in a way no one expected. He set personal bests in points, assists and steals, delivered stat lines that have never been seen and passed Wilt Chamberlain for most triple-doubles in a single season by a center. Joker is on pace to become only the third player to average a triple-double for a season and the first center to accomplish that feat. If we're getting down to the nitty-gritty, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be slightly ahead of him in per-game fantasy ranking, but SGA wasn't a week-winner nearly as much as Jokic. Jokic has him handily in rebounds and assists, sits only slightly behind him in scoring and surprisingly holds the edge in steals. No other player in the Association put up numbers quite as gaudy as Joker, who posted 20-assist and 20-rebound games with regularity and just last week notched a 60-point triple-double. If you drafted Jokic, there's a good chance he single-handedly led you to victory multiple times throughout the 2024-25 campaign, and no other player can boast that level of impact.

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Perk states Warriors would ‘pop' Lakers in first-round playoff series

Perk states Warriors would ‘pop' Lakers in first-round playoff series originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Kendrick Perkins believes the Warriors would beat the Los Angeles Lakers if they met in a first-round NBA playoff series.

The ESPN analyst expressed his confidence in Golden State capturing the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and beating the presumptive No. 3-seeded Lakers in a best-of-seven playoff battle.

“I believe [Golden State] will capture the six seed,” Perkins said Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “…And by the way, they want to get to the six seed because I like them against the Lakers if the Lakers are the third seed. I like the Warriors; I like that matchup.

“Especially when you look at how the Lakers play defense, pack in the paint and give up a lot of 3-point shots. That’s kind of been the recipe [Lakers coach] JJ Redick has designed for this Lakers defense. I like the Warriors to get that six seed and if they face the Lakers in the first round, the Warriors are going to pop the Lakers.”

While the Warriors have a lot of postseason positioning to sort out over the final two games of the regular season, a playoff series against the Lakers is a real possibility.

Given how Golden State’s offense performed in a recent win over Los Angeles, there is reason for optimism. The Lakers lack the size and length of teams like the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, and their lineup has been stretched thin recently.

However, the potent scoring combo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić gives the Lakers a chance no matter who they face in the playoffs.

The Warriors will need better performances from their supporting cast, especially when Steph Curry isn’t on the floor. Otherwise, another early postseason exit is the most likely outcome.

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What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NBA playoffs are ready to tip off.

The last two playoff berths were awarded on Friday night as the play-in tournament wrapped up.

The 10th-place Miami Heat first made play-in history with a wild overtime win against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro and Co. clinched the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with the road victory, becoming the first 10th-place team to advance to the playoffs since the play-in was introduced in 2021. The Heat previously crushed the Bulls in Chicago in the 9-10 game.

But the Western Conference’s 10th-place team, the Dallas Mavericks, failed to match Miami’s feat. The eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies cruised past Dallas to grab the No. 8 playoff seed out West.

With the 16-team bracket locked in, here’s a look at the first-round matchups, schedule, and more to know:

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

First-round matchups in each conference are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. All postseason series are best of seven where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed teams?

The playoffs follow a bracket format and don’t reseed teams after the first round. That means, for instance, the winner of a 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of a 4-5 matchup in Round 2, regardless of the other first-round results.

What teams are in the NBA playoffs?

The six automatic playoff berths in the East were claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and the Heat then joined the field via the play-in.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves secured top-six spots before the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies advanced through the play-in.

What are the NBA playoff matchups?

Here’s a look at the bracket:

Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers
8. Heat

4.Pacers
5. Bucks

3. Knicks
6. Pistons

2. Celtics
7. Magic

Western Conference

1. Thunder
8. Grizzlies

4. Nuggets
5. Clippers

3. Lakers
6. Timberwolves

2. Rockets
7. Warriors

What’s the schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Here are the schedule details for each first-round series ( * = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat — Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 5*: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Cavaliers at Heat — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic

  • Game 1: Magic at Celtics — Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Magic at Celtics — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Celtics at Magic — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Celtics at Magic — Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Magic at Celtics — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Magic — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Magic at Celtics — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons

  • Game 1: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Pistons at Knicks — Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pistons — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Pistons at Knicks — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks

  • Game 1: Bucks at Pacers — Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV/ESPNU
  • Game 4: Pacers at Bucks — Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Bucks at Pacers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies

  • Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder — Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder — Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies — Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors

  • Game 1: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Rockets at Warriors — Saturday, April 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Rockets at Warriors — Monday, April 28, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Rockets at Warriors — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves

  • Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers — Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers — Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

  • Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets — Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, NBA TV
  • Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers — Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Clippers at Nuggets — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Where to watch and stream games in the 2025 NBA playoffs

First-round games will air nationally across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

ESPN and ABC broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

TNT broadcasts can be streamed on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

NBA TV broadcasts are available to stream on NBA.com and the NBA app.

What are the 2025 NBA playoff dates?

The second round is slated to get underway May 5-6, though those start dates could be moved up to May 3-4. The conference finals will start as early as May 18-19 and as late as May 20-21.

When are the 2025 NBA Finals?

The Finals are scheduled to start Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on April 11.

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What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more

What to know for Round 1 of the NBA playoffs: Bracket, schedule and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA playoffs are ready to tip off.

The last two playoff berths were awarded on Friday night as the play-in tournament wrapped up.

The 10th-place Miami Heat first made play-in history with a wild overtime win against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks. Tyler Herro and Co. clinched the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot with the road victory, becoming the first 10th-place team to advance to the playoffs since the play-in was introduced in 2021. The Heat previously crushed the Bulls in Chicago in the 9-10 game.

But the Western Conference’s 10th-place team, the Dallas Mavericks, failed to match Miami’s feat. The eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies cruised past Dallas to grab the No. 8 playoff seed out West.

With the 16-team bracket locked in, here’s a look at the first-round matchups, schedule, and more to know:

When do the NBA playoffs start?

The playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

How do the NBA playoffs work?

First-round matchups in each conference are No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. All postseason series are best of seven where the higher seed has home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed teams?

The playoffs follow a bracket format and don’t reseed teams after the first round. That means, for instance, the winner of a 1-8 matchup will meet the winner of a 4-5 matchup in Round 2, regardless of the other first-round results.

What teams are in the NBA playoffs?

The six automatic playoff berths in the East were claimed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and the Heat then joined the field via the play-in.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves secured top-six spots before the Golden State Warriors and the Grizzlies advanced through the play-in.

What are the NBA playoff matchups?

Here’s a look at the bracket:

Eastern Conference

1. Cavaliers
8. Heat

4.Pacers
5. Bucks

3. Knicks
6. Pistons

2. Celtics
7. Magic

Western Conference

1. Thunder
8. Grizzlies

4. Nuggets
5. Clippers

3. Lakers
6. Timberwolves

2. Rockets
7. Warriors

What’s the schedule for the first round of the NBA playoffs?

Here are the schedule details for each first-round series ( * = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat

  • Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat — Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 5*: Heat at Cavaliers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Cavaliers at Heat — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Heat at Cavaliers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic

  • Game 1: Magic at Celtics — Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Magic at Celtics — Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Celtics at Magic — Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Celtics at Magic — Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Magic at Celtics — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Celtics at Magic — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Magic at Celtics — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons

  • Game 1: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Pistons at Knicks — Monday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Knicks at Pistons — Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Pistons at Knicks — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Knicks at Pistons — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Pistons at Knicks — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks

  • Game 1: Bucks at Pacers — Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
  • Game 3: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. ET, NBA TV/ESPNU
  • Game 4: Pacers at Bucks — Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Bucks at Pacers — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Pacers at Bucks — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Bucks at Pacers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies

  • Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder — Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder — Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, TNT
  • Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies — Saturday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Monday, April 28, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Thunder at Grizzlies — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Grizzlies at Thunder — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors

  • Game 1: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Rockets at Warriors — Saturday, April 26, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 4: Rockets at Warriors — Monday, April 28, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Warriors at Rockets — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Rockets at Warriors — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Warriors at Rockets — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves

  • Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers — Saturday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers — Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves — Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
  • Game 5*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Wednesday, April 30, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Lakers at Timberwolves — Friday, May 2, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Timberwolves at Lakers — Sunday, May 4, time TBD, TV channel TBD

No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

  • Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
  • Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets — Monday, April 21, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, April 24, time TBD, NBA TV
  • Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers — Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5*: Clippers at Nuggets — Tuesday, April 29, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 6*: Nuggets at Clippers — Thursday, May 1, time TBD, TV channel TBD
  • Game 7*: Clippers at Nuggets — Saturday, May 3, time TBD, TV channel TBD

Where to watch and stream games in the 2025 NBA playoffs

First-round games will air nationally across ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV.

ESPN and ABC broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

TNT broadcasts can be streamed on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.

NBA TV broadcasts are available to stream on NBA.com and the NBA app.

What are the 2025 NBA playoff dates?

The second round is slated to get underway May 5-6, though those start dates could be moved up to May 3-4. The conference finals will start as early as May 18-19 and as late as May 20-21.

When are the 2025 NBA Finals?

The Finals are scheduled to start Thursday, June 5, with a potential Game 7 slated for Sunday, June 22.

Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on April 11.