The 2025 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals.
The Detroit Pistons’ comeback to even the series fell short Sunday, as the New York Knicks head back to Madison Square Garden with a chance to close out the series Tuesday. The Cleveland Cavaliers took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Miami Heat on Saturday without Darius Garland, handing the Heat their worst-ever playoff loss.
Friday’s action saw the No. 2 Boston Celtics lose Game 3 against the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero combing for 61 points. The No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks defeated the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers for their first victory in the series.
As the East playoffs continue, here’s what matters most and what to watch for in all four series.
Jump to a series:Cavaliers-Heat | Celtics-MagicKnicks-Pistons | Pacers-Bucks
More coverage:West first-round takeawaysSchedules and results | Offseason guides
Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93
What we learned:
More than anything, we learned that the officials were going to let the Knicks and Pistons battle physically Sunday, with fewer whistles than you’d expect given the amount of contact throughout the game. It was the case countless times in the first half. It was the case on a loose ball Jalen Brunson tussled for before an ankle injury forced him to exit briefly. And, much to the Pistons’ dismay, it was the case on a controversial no-call to close the game, when Deuce McBride made contact with Tim Hardaway Jr. — who was firing a potential game-winning jumper at the horn — incensing Detroit and its fans. The game’s physicality and the final play, in particular, will obviously be magnified. But the clutch shotmaking from Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — who drilled the deep game-winning triple while Jalen Duren was draped over him — was remarkable. The star duo outscored the Pistons as a club 22-21 in the fourth quarter.
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KAT hits huge 3 in the clutch for Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns pulls up for a deep 3 and drains it in the clutch for the Knicks vs. the Pistons.
Game 5: Knicks at Pistons (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
How do the young Pistons, who battled back and were in position to win Game 4 until the final minute of play, start Game 5? The Knicks came out stronger in both games in Detroit — the Pistons began Game 4 with 10 turnovers and 0-for-10 shooting from deep before they hit their first 3 — forcing Cade Cunningham & Co. to play from behind. The Pistons’ comebacks were impressive, but ultimately came up short both times in the Motor City. With the Knicks having a chance to close things out Tuesday, the Garden crowd will be at full throttle. A better start for Detroit will be critical.
— Chris Herring
Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
What we learned:
The Cavs focused their game plan on their guards in Games 1 and 2, attacking switches and leaning into their playmakers as they should. In Game 3, with Darius Garland out after aggravating a sprained toe, coach Kenny Atkinson downshifted to his bigs. All season long the Cavs have been able to do this because they’re so deep and skilled, and Atkinson spent all year developing various gears — and that has been on display for the past week. Jarrett Allen made eight total baskets in Games 1 and 2 combined, and he made seven in the first half of Game 3. Allen and Evan Mobley finished with 41 points as the Cavs dominated with a 60-30 advantage in paint points. Add in tremendous production from bench stars Ty Jerome and DeAndre Hunter, who combined for 34 points and each were better than plus-30, and the outcome of this series is now academic.
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Donovan Mitchell lights it up with step-back 3
Donovan Mitchell creates space and drills a tough step-back triple to energize the Cavaliers.
Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat (Monday, TBD)
What to watch:
Atkinson has described how much he trusts his team and how mature it is, which is why he had no concerns about focus issues for a 1 p.m. game in Miami. He was right. The Cavs generally handled their business in this series and have never trailed in the second half. The Heat do not quit; it defines their organization, and they’ve only ever been swept once, but the Cavs know the value of being economical when it comes to playoff effort. Regardless of Garland’s health, you’d expect to see that come through in their first closeout opportunity.
— Brian Windhorst
Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93
What we learned:
Jayson Tatum’s right wrist appears to be fine. In his return after sitting out Game 2 — the first playoff game he has ever missed — the Celtics’ superstar scored 36 points, hitting from midrange, long range and at the rim. But Tatum’s effort was all for naught in this thrilling Magic win. In another sign that the defending champions struggle with Orlando’s rough-and-tumble physicality, the Celtics committed 21 turnovers, one more than their season high, and made just nine 3-pointers, two shy of their season low. Credit the gritty Magic, who proved again that they can knock Boston’s high-octane offense off track while receiving big nights from key players — in this instance, 32 points from Franz Wagner and 29 from Paolo Banchero.
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Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner shine in Magic’s Game 3 victory
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner combine for 61 points in the Magic’s 95-93 Game 3 win over the Celtics.
Game 4: Celtics at Magic (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
Can the Celtics take care of the ball? Can their 3-point barrage get on track? We’ll see. But this much is true: Boston is banged up, with three starters — Tatum (wrist), Jaylen Brown (right knee) and Jrue Holiday (who missed Game 3 with a right hamstring strain) — all suffering some ailment. If the second-seeded Celtics want to repeat, they must wrap this series up sooner rather than later, especially for some much-needed rest and recuperation between rounds.
— Baxter Holmes
Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
What we learned:
The Bucks are finally on the board in this series thanks to a career-high 37 points from forward Gary Trent Jr. His nine 3-pointers Friday matched Ray Allen for the most in a Bucks’ playoff game. Trent was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this series as coach Doc Rivers looked for a spark a stagnant offense. And Trent helped unlock it in the third quarter, hitting five 3-pointers for 18 points as Milwaukee outscored Indiana by 21 in the quarter. It was a welcome scoring outburst to provide help for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was brilliant once again, adding 37 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
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Mathurin T’d up after having choice words for Giannis
Bennedict Mathurin receives a technical foul for jawing at Giannis Antetokounmpo during his free throws.
Game 4: Pacers at Bucks (Sunday, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
Milwaukee certainly needed every bit of Trent’s offense to get back into this series, but it needs more consistent production around Antetokounmpo if it plans to keep it going. Damian Lillard struggled to find his offensive rhythm, scoring seven points on 2-of-12 shooting with five assists, and Kyle Kuzma went 4-of-9 and played 19 minutes. The Pacers were leading by double digits at halftime and were getting comfortable with wide-open looks in the first half as they did during the first two games before the Bucks came out with a better effort in the second half. Can Milwaukee maintain that same defensive intensity in Game 4?
— Jamal Collier
