NBA Finals predictions: Are the Thunder and Knicks locks for the NBA Finals?
The For The Hoops crew make their picks for the NBA Finals. The Thunder vs. Knicks seem to be a popular pick, but are we counting the Timberwolves and Pacers out too early?
The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder have taken the early lead in their respective conference series after Game 1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder defended their home court and earned the victory over Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals on Tuesday. He was named the NBA’s MVP on Wednesday.
Edwards had 18 points and nine defensive rebounds in the loss.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers to a Game 1 victory on the road against the New York Knicks. Haliburton had 31 points, 11 assists and four rebounds. The Pacers star helped silence the crowd after hitting a shot at the end of regulation that forced the game into overtime after the Knicks led most of the fourth quarter.
Jalen Brunson had a game-high 43 points in the loss and went 1-for-6 from the 3-point line for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and 12 rebounds.
Here’s the complete NBA playoffs schedule, including results and broadcast information:
NBA bracket: Playoff schedule, scores and results
The conference finals are set and could run through June 2.
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Conference finals
Eastern Conference
Pacers lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)
- Game 2, May 23: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.
- Game 3, May 25: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.
- Game 4, May 27: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.
- Game 5, May 29: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*
- Game 6, May 31: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.*
- Game 7, June 2: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*
Western Conference
Thunder lead series 1-0
- Game 1, May 20: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88
- Game 2, May 22: Timberwolves at Thunder | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 3, May 24: Thunder at Timberwolves | ABC, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 4, May 26: Thunder at Timberwolves | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 5, May 28: Timberwolves at Thunder | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*
- Game 6, May 30: Thunder at Timberwolves | ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*
- Game 7, June 1: Timberwolves at Thunder | ESPN, 8 p.m.*
2025 NBA Finals schedule
*-if necessary
- Game 1, June 5: TBD, ABC
- Game 2, June 8: TBD, ABC
- Game 3, June 11: TBD, ABC
- Game 4, June 13: TBD, ABC
- Game 5, June 16: TBD, ABC*
- Game 6, June 19: TBD, ABC*
- Game 7, June 22: TBD, ABC*
NBA playoff results: Second round
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers
Pacers win series 4-1
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks
Knicks win series 4-2
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets
Thunder win series 4-3
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
Timberwolves win series 4-1
NBA playoff results: First round
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat
Cavaliers win series 4-0
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic
Celtics win series 4-1
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Knicks win series 4-2
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Pacers win series 4-1
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
Thunder win series 4-0
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
Warriors win series 4-3
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves win series 4-1
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
Nuggets win series 4-3