2025 NBA Playoffs Second Round Predictions and Odds

Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Series Odds and Prediction

After making easy work of the Miami Heat in the first round, the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18) are heavy favorites to defeat the Indiana Pacers (50-32). The Pacers pulled off a shocking 121-112 win in Cleveland, but oddsmakers still don’t believe in them.

Currently, at -225 odds, the Cavaliers have a strong 69.2% implied probability to win the series after dropping Game 1. Heading into the series, the Cavaliers had -500 odds, which translated to a 83.3% chance. Despite the drop, the updated NBA Playoffs second round odds suggest the Cavaliers remain in the driver’s seat.

They finished first in the Eastern Conference at 64-18, with a three-game edge on the Boston Celtics. Their quick five-game series against the Heat reinforced how good this squad is, and I expect the Pacers to run into a wall in this one.

It’s a bad matchup for a Pacers team unlikely to react positively versus a superior Cavaliers’ defense. The Pacers match up well versus high-powered offenses that are vulnerable on the defensive floor.

However, a well-balanced team that can give Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam issues is tough for the underdogs! Look for the Cavaliers to make adjustments and neutralize the Pacers’ fast-paced offense following a disastrous Game 1 effort.

It's called balance. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/wvExOXheKY

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 1, 2025

The Cavaliers lead the NBA with an average of 122.1 points per game through the first round of the playoffs. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley spearhead a terrific starting five, and they’re getting solid production from Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter off the bench. Additionally, they acquired Hunter at the trade deadline in a move to put them over the top for depth.

Everything the Pacers do well, the Cavaliers do better. Indiana’s 17th-ranked defense will be their downfall against a well-coached and rounded team in the front and backcourt like the Cavaliers. Cleveland had an uncharacteristically bad defensive performance in the series opener, but I foresee them tightening up for Game 2.

There was no value on the Cavaliers to win the series at -500. However, the loss affords Cleveland a bettable price at -225. Expect the Cavaliers to bounce back, so they’re still worth a look for your 2025 NBA second round picks!

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Series Odds and Prediction

Following a hard-fought series against the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks (51-31) turn their attention to a much tougher challenge against the Boston Celtics (61-21) in the second round. They were seconds away from going to Game 7, and if the Knicks didn’t get a favorable non-call at the buzzer earlier in the series, the Pistons may have won!

The Knicks went a solid 51-31 in the regular season but were abysmal against the top teams in the NBA. They had a record of 0-10 against teams with 60 or more wins this season. For a squad that entered this year with sky-high expectations, they’ve picked on a lot of mediocre teams to bolster their 51-win record.

It should be a tough series against a Celtics team that has washed the floor with them this season. The Celtics went 4-0 in the regular season series after going 4-1 over the Knicks a year ago in 2023-24. In four games, the Celtics defeated the Knicks by an average of 16.25 points per game!

The Celtics turn into the 2016 Warriors every time they face the Knicks 😭 pic.twitter.com/4fBstakL6n

— Playoff BOS (@PlayoffBOS) May 3, 2025

Overall, this season, the Celtics scored 115.7 points per game while the Knicks weren’t far off that pace with 115.3 per game. The separation between the Celtics and Knicks was in their defense, with the favorites allowing 106.4 points per game — the second-best mark in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Knicks are ninth, yielding 111.3 points per matchup.

The Knicks looked gassed trying to keep up with the Pistons, and I only see that being more of a problem against the defending champs! At -850, the Celtics have a huge 89.5% implied probability of winning, while that’s too expensive, I’m riding with the Celtics in five games for my 2025 NBA second round predictions.

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Series Odds and Prediction

Despite a Denver Nuggets (50-32) squad equipped with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, they are massive underdogs to the Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)! The Thunder have an 86.7% implied probability to defeat the Nuggets and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder are also the betting favorites to win the NBA Championship this season, but they’ll have to make it past a Nuggets team that didn’t get much support last round. Denver was the underdog in their series versus the Clippers, but outlasted Kawhi Leonard and company in a Game 7 blowout.

The issue for the Nuggets is that they don’t have the depth to keep pace with the Thunder in this series. While Jokic, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. are still in the starting lineup from the 2022-23 title season, they lost a big portion of their depth.

Nevertheless, if Russell Westbrook comes off the bench and provides a spark, I give the Nuggets a reasonable chance at the upset. This is still a dangerous offense that could have two or three huge games against the Thunder. They are fourth in the NBA, with an average of 119.7 points per game and shooting just over 50% from the field.

The Thunder have a slim advantage at 120 points per game this season. They have the advantage on the defensive floor, with 107.2 points against compared to 116.2 per game for the Nuggets. However, the Thunder and Nuggets split the regular season series with two wins apiece.

🃏 JOKIĆ x WILT 🃏

Joker through 6 games this playoffs:

152 PTS | 71 REB | 63 AST

The only other player to reach those totals through the first 6 games of a postseason?

WILT CHAMBERLAIN in 1967 🤯 pic.twitter.com/t4m0vzurU8

— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2025

I anticipate the Thunder pulling away to win the series, but I see it going at least six games. Jokic should carry the Nuggets to at least two wins in incredible performances.

The Nuggets are +2.5 (+100) on the series spread, while the total games in the series is at over 5.5 (+115). There is no sense in betting on the spread at +100 when you can get the over at +115 odds! With this in mind, consider the over 5.5 series games for your best NBA second round bet.

Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Series Odds and Prediction

Fresh off a Game 7 win over the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors (48-34) will look to advance to the Western Conference Finals! They’ll have to do it against a Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) squad riding lots of momentum following their five-game win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota is favored to win the series, with a 64.3% implied probability!

The Timberwolves had a down year as opposed to last season’s impressive effort in the regular season. However, they played like a true contender in the first round of the playoffs. Anthony Edwards is knocking off NBA legends left and right, as he develops into a legend in his own right.

Anthony Edwards last three series wins:

— Knocked out Luka and LeBron
— Knocked out Jokic and Murray
— Knocked out KD and Book

23 years old. pic.twitter.com/zzs2EPzqxZ

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 1, 2025

People have been waiting for Edwards to take the next leap as a player who can lead the Timberwolves deep in the playoffs — it certainly looks like his time has arrived. He delivered against the Lakers, while Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert did as they pleased to sink LeBron James and Co.

Although the Warriors aren’t going to lay down for the Timberwolves, I expect this assignment to be tougher than the Rockets. The Warriors are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. They entered the season as the fourth-oldest squad in the league and got older by acquiring Jimmy Butler.

After going to seven games against the Rockets, I expect the Warriors to be slightly lethargic for the Timberwolves. Also, this isn’t a Warriors squad with any kind of depth. In Game 7, the bench scored just three points! Kevon Looney was the only Warrior to net any points off the bench.

I don’t see this going well against a T-Wolves team that ranks sixth in defensive efficiency, and fifth, with 108.8 points allowed per game. Look for the Warriors to get worn down and simply run out of gas.

The way I see it, the Timberwolves should bypass the Warriors in five or six games, so back the favorites for your NBA second round betting picks!