2025 NBA Playoffs Kick Off: Schedule, Viewing Options, and Betting Odds

The highly anticipated 2025 NBA playoffs are set to commence this Saturday, featuring an exciting lineup of games that will determine the contenders for the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy. The playoff action begins with four matchups on April 19, including Indiana facing Milwaukee, Denver taking on the Los Angeles Clippers, New York clashing with Detroit, and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Minnesota.

On Sunday, April 20, four additional Game 1 matchups will take place: Oklahoma City will face Memphis, Boston will host Orlando, Cleveland will take on Miami, and Golden State will meet Houston. Miami and Memphis secured their playoff spots by winning their respective play-in games on Friday night. Notably, Miami made history as the first team in the five-year history of the play-in tournament to achieve two road victories en route to the postseason. Despite a mixed performance of 14-17 since the All-Star break, including their play-in wins, Miami's entry into the playoffs is a significant achievement. Memphis, with a record of 13-17 since the break, also managed to secure a playoff berth.

Saturday's National TV Schedule:
1 p.m. -- Milwaukee at Indiana (ESPN)
3:30 p.m. -- L.A. Clippers at Denver (ESPN)
6 p.m. -- Detroit at New York (ESPN)
8:30 p.m. -- Minnesota at L.A. Lakers (ABC)

Sunday's National TV Schedule:
1 p.m. -- Memphis at Oklahoma City (ABC)
3:30 p.m. -- Orlando at Boston (ABC)
7 p.m. -- Miami at Cleveland (TNT/truTV)
9:30 p.m. -- Golden State at Houston (TNT/truTV)

Upcoming National TV Schedule for Monday:
7:30 p.m. -- Detroit at New York (TNT/truTV)
10 p.m. -- L.A. Clippers at Denver (TNT/truTV)

In terms of betting, Oklahoma City is currently the frontrunner to win the NBA championship, with odds set at +185, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. They are closely followed by Boston at +200. Other teams in contention include Cleveland (+550), the Los Angeles Lakers (+1000), Golden State (+1400), the Los Angeles Clippers (+2500), Denver (+3500), and New York (+3500). Long-shot contenders include Minnesota at +6600, Indiana and Houston at +8000, Milwaukee at +12500, Detroit and Memphis at +35000, Miami at +75000, and Orlando at +100000. Interestingly, oddsmakers expect an upset in the series between Golden State, the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, and No. 2 seed Houston.

Key Upcoming Events:
Sunday -- Announcement of finalists for seven major awards, including MVP and coach of the year, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on TNT.
Monday -- Draft lottery tiebreaker at 3 p.m. Eastern.
April 26 -- Deadline for early entry into the NBA Draft.
May 3 -- Earliest start date for Round 2 of the playoffs, with potential dates also being May 4, 5, or 6.

As the playoffs approach, the landscape appears to be highly competitive. Notably, the only unbeaten teams entering the playoffs in April are the Milwaukee Bucks, with a record of 8-0, and the L.A. Clippers, boasting a 7-0 record. The Bucks are positioned as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Clippers hold the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.