NBA PLAYOFFS

The 2025 NBA playoffs continue Monday, with a pair of Game 2 matchups. The home teams in both series are off to good starts and will look to take 2-0 leads in the best-of-seven affair.

The New York Knicks used a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their series opener against the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Brunson led the way with 34 points in New York’s 123-112 victory on Saturday night. The Knicks will look to put the clams on Pistons guard Cade Cunningham if they want to win again.

In the second game, perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic is coming off a 29-point, 12-assist, nine-rebound performance in the Denver Nuggets‘ 112-110 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1. The Nuggets still haven’t lost in four games under interim coach David Adelman.

Here’s what to know to watch Monday’s NBA playoff games, including start times and TV options.

NBA playoff games today: Schedule, start times for Monday

All times Eastern

• Game 2: Pistons at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV)(Knicks lead series 1-0)
• Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets | 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV)(Nuggets lead series 1-0)

Watch the NBA playoffs with a free trial of Fubo

NBA playoff predictions today

Clippers vs. Nuggets

Sports Illustrated: Clippers take Game 2

Peter Dewey writes, “While Leonard (seven turnovers in Game 1) made some key mistakes late on Saturday, Denver struggled mightily guarding James Harden in the pick-and-roll and needed yet another massive Nikola Jokic game to win in overtime. At some point, Denver’s lack of depth is going to catch up with it.”

Sporting News: Nuggets 112, Clippers 107

“The Clippers committed 25 fouls on Saturday, and Denver turned them over 20 times. As long as the Nuggets dictate the pace and keep LA’s offense from establishing a rhythm and eventually catching fire, the Nuggets will prevail at home — even if the three-point shot isn’t falling. If the 3-balls start dropping with frequency, we might see a blowout.”

Covers.com: Nuggets win again

“Homecourt advantage matters more in Denver than in most NBA cities, and Nikola Jokic is always capable of winning a game singlehandedly. Thus, Denver takes a 2-0 advantage before action shifts to California.”

Pistons vs Knicks

Detroit Free Press: Knicks 120, Pistons 110

Omari Sankofa II writes: “Regardless of if (Isaiah) Stewart plays or not, he’s less than 100% physically. That’s costly for the Pistons, who will need multiple players to step up to match Stewart’s defensive versatility and energy. They have the offensive firepower to beat the Knicks, but Saturday’s fourth quarter showed just how important Stewart’s presence is. They’ll hope he’s healthy for Game 3 back home.”

Sports Betting Dime: Knicks 116.3, Pistons 114.1

The site predicts that New York will defeat Detroit in Game 2 of the NBA postseason series on Monday.

NBA playoff bracket, results

NBA Play-In Tournament

All times Eastern.

Tuesday, April 15

Game 1: Orlando Magic def. Atlanta Hawks, 120-95, Orlando advances to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the East

Game 2: Golden State Warriors def. Memphis Grizzlies, 121-116, Golden State Warriors advance to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the West

Wednesday, April 16

Game 3: Miami Heat def. Chicago Bulls, 109-90, the Miami Heat advance in the Play-In Tournament

Game 4: Dallas Mavericks def. Sacramento Kings 120-106, the Dallas Mavericks advance in the Play-In Tournament

Friday, April 18

Game 5: Miami Heat def. Atlanta Hawks 123-114 (OT), the Heat advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the East.

Game 6: Memphis Grizzlies def. Dallas Mavericks 120-106, the Grizzlies advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West.

2025 NBA Playoffs first round schedule: Results and scores

All times Eastern. *-if necessary

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

• Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
• Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers | Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV
• Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat | Saturday, April 26, TBD | TNT
• Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat | Monday, April 28, TBD | TBD
• Game 5: Heat at Cavaliers | Wednesday, April 30, TBD | TBD *
• Game 6: Cavaliers at Heat | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD *
• Game 7: Heat at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD *

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic

• Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86
• Game 2: Orlando Magic at Celtics | Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Celtics at Orlando Magic | Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 4: Celtics at Orlando Magic | Sunday, April 27, 7 p.m. | TNT
• Game 5: Orlando Magic at Celtics | TBD*
• Game 6: Celtics at Orlando Magic | TBD*
• Game 7: Orlando Magic at Celtics | TBD*

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons

• Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
• Game 2: Pistons at Knicks | Tonight, April 21, 7:30 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, April 24, TBD | TNT
• Game 4: Knicks at Pistons | Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. | ABC
• Game 5: Pistons at Knicks | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
• Game 6: Knicks at Pistons | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
• Game 7: Pistons at Knicks | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*

(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

• Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
• Game 2: Bucks at Pacers | Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 3: Pacers at Bucks | Friday, April 25, 8 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 4: Pacers at Bucks | Sunday, April 27, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 5: Bucks at Pacers | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD *
• Game 6: Pacers at Bucks | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD *
• Game 7: Bucks at Pacers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD *

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

• Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
• Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder | Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies | Thursday, April 24, TBD | TNT
• Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies | Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. | TNT
• Game 5: Grizzlies at Thunder | Monday, April 28, TBD | TBD *
• Game 6: Thunder at Grizzlies | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD *
• Game 7: Grizzlies at Thunder | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD *

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

• Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
• Game 2: Warriors at Rockets | Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Rockets at Warriors | Saturday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. | ABC
• Game 4: Rockets at Warriors | Monday, April 28, 9:30 p.m. | TNT
• Game 5: Warriors at Rockets | TBD*
• Game 6: Rockets at Warriors | TBD*
• Game 7: Warriors at Rockets | TBD*

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

• Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers | Tuesday, April 22, 10 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves | Friday, April 25, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves | Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. | ABC
• Game 5: Timberwolves at Lakers | Wednesday, April 30, TBD | TBD*
• Game 6: Lakers at Timberwolves | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD*
• Game 7: Timberwolves at Lakers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD*

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

• Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
• Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets | Tonight, 10 p.m. | TNT
• Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, April 24, TBD | NBA TV
• Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers | Saturday, April 26, 6 p.m. | TNT
• Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets | Tuesday, April 29, TBD | TBD*
• Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers | Thursday, May 1, TBD | TBD*
• Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets | Saturday, May 3, TBD | TBD*

Conference semifinals

The conference semifinals are scheduled to begin May 5, but could move up to May 3-4 depending on first-round outcomes.

Conference Finals schedule

All times Eastern. *-if necessary

Eastern Conference Finals

The series could be moved up as early as May 19.

• Game 1, May 21: TNT, 8 p.m.
• Game 2, May 23: TNT, 8 p.m.
• Game 3, May 25: TNT, 8 p.m.
• Game 4, May 27: TNT, 8 p.m.
• Game 5, May 29: TNT, 8 p.m.*
• Game 6, May 31: TNT, 8 p.m.*
• Game 7, June 2: TNT, 8 p.m.*

Western Conference Finals

The series could be moved up as early as May 18.

• Game 1, May 20: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
• Game 2, May 22: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
• Game 3, May 24: ABC, 8:30 p.m.
• Game 4, May 26: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
• Game 5, May 28: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*
• Game 6, May 30: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*
• Game 7, June 1: ESPN, 8 p.m.*

2025 NBA Finals schedule

*-if necessary

• Game 1, June 5: ABC
• Game 2, June 8: ABC
• Game 3, June 11: ABC
• Game 4, June 13: ABC
• Game 5, June 16: ABC (if necessary)
• Game 6, June 19: ABC (if necessary)
• Game 7, June 22: ABC (if necessary)

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.