The second spherical of the 2025 NBA playoffs has featured extra time thrillers and fourth-quarter comebacks.
Not one of the higher-seeded groups within the convention semifinals was capable of seize a win in Sport 1. Since then, the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves have been capable of bounce again.
However the stress is on with accidents to stars similar to Stephen Curry and Karl-Anthony Towns hanging heavy over their respective groups.
After a Spherical 2 begin filled with surprises and back-and-forth collection, our NBA insiders break down the most important takeaways, gamers underneath stress and what to observe as groups attempt to break by to the convention finals.
Who’s underneath probably the most stress for Monday’s very important Sport 4?
I do know what you are supposed to say. It is Jayson Tatum and his lightning rod recreation of lengthy jumpers and the occasional occurrences of avoiding contact. Or Jaylen Brown, whose capturing within the collection has been solely marginally higher than Tatum’s powerful percentages. (Brown is a woeful 5-of-23 on 3-pointers.) However the actuality is the Celtics, for all their outdoors bricklaying, nonetheless have 5 guys averaging in double figures and a longtime observe document as a wrecking ball.
The Knicks actually might use a signature recreation from All-Star guard Jalen Brunson on Monday evening. His approval score in New York is sky-high, and rightly so, as a result of his clutch performances are legendary. However take a step again and the uncomfortable fact is that Brunson is getting smothered by the Celtics’ rotation of defenders, particularly Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Brunson is capturing simply 38% within the collection. And Boston is retaining him off the road; Brunson has simply 18 journeys within the three video games, which is 33% lower than he averaged in opposition to the Detroit Pistons within the first spherical. The Knicks are averaging simply 95 factors in regulation and capturing a lowly 42% within the collection. Plus, Karl-Anthony Cities is now coping with a left-hand damage, and the Celtics are extra decided than ever to deliberately foul Mitchell Robinson, who’s a ruinous 7-of-23 on the foul line, to steal Knicks possessions. — Brian Windhorst
This collection will go to Sport 7 if ____?
Nikola Jokic rediscovers his capturing contact in one of many subsequent two video games. The three-time MVP is in an unprecedented funk, capturing underneath 40% from the ground in three consecutive video games with at the very least 15 makes an attempt for the primary time in his profession (common season or playoffs), in line with ESPN Analysis. Jokic, one of the environment friendly superstars in NBA historical past, shot 33.3% throughout that three-game stretch, and he has extra turnovers than assists within the collection. Oklahoma Metropolis’s top-ranked protection deserves a number of credit score for making Jokic’s job troublesome, and it’ll proceed to use the stress as this collection rolls on. — Tim MacMahon
What’s the Wolves’ largest weak spot, and the way do the Warriors exploit that with out Stephen Curry?
As one among 4 groups within the league to rank within the high 10 in each offense and protection throughout the common season, the Timberwolves do not have many main vulnerabilities. And Minnesota’s 23-6 document because the calendar turned to March solely reinforces that. Nevertheless, the Wolves have not at all times protected the basketball the best way a crew that needs to be completely locked into the worth of each possession can be anticipated to. Regardless that Minnesota is up 2-1 on Golden State, the Wolves have dedicated extra turnovers than the Warriors in two out of the three video games, together with 21-15 in Sport 3. Regardless of profitable the turnover battle, Golden State solely scored 13 factors off the Wolves’ miscues in Sport 3, whereas the Wolves scored 16 factors off the Warriors’ errors. If the Warriors can proceed to make use of Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga to harass the Wolves’ ball handlers and get a bit of extra organized of their transition recreation once they do power a Minnesota blunder, Golden State may be capable of steal a win to increase the collection and provides Curry an opportunity to heal his left hamstring for a Sport 6 return. — Dave McMenamin
The Cavs can bounce again on this collection in the event that they ____?
Rediscover their traditionally nice offense from the common season. Cleveland had the No. 1 offensive score within the NBA. However outdoors of Donovan Mitchell, it has been a battle offensively all collection, culminating in Sport 4’s blowout loss that put the Cavs on the point of elimination. Within the first half of Sunday evening’s contest, the Cavs scored 39 factors whereas producing three assists and committing 14 turnovers. To make issues worse, Mitchell, who’s averaging probably the most factors in a playoff collection by a Cavs participant since LeBron James, didn’t play within the second half due to an ankle damage. — Jamal Collier
Bonus!
What has been the most important shock of the second spherical up to now?
This season, for the primary time in NBA historical past, three groups posted a median level differential of plus-9 or higher per recreation. Then those self same squads — the Thunder, the Cavaliers and the Celtics — cruised within the first spherical, going a mixed 12-1 in opposition to overmatched play-in groups. All of them appeared on a collision course for the convention finals and the NBA Finals.
So, even whereas acknowledging the function that accidents and capturing luck have performed, it is an immense shock that this trio is collectively struggling within the second spherical. The large three from the common season are a mixed 4-7 in opposition to Denver, Indiana and New York, respectively, in these playoffs. Those self same massive three may all nonetheless advance, as anticipated. However the surprising parity has made for extra entertaining video games and a extra aggressive spherical total. — Zach Kram
My NBA Finals picks are:
Regardless that each trailed 2-1 as of Sunday morning, I am sticking with the Celtics and the Thunder. Boston’s Sport 3 efficiency was a reminder of its matchup benefits in opposition to the Knicks when it makes 3s. With the top-seeded Cavaliers at lower than full power, the Celtics would absolutely be favored in the event that they make the Jap Convention finals. Out West, Minnesota is the most secure guess on the board to succeed in the convention finals and in addition has matched up effectively with Oklahoma Metropolis this season. Nonetheless, the Thunder are again ready of getting home-court benefit all through the playoffs, making them the favorites. — Kevin Pelton