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NBA Playoffs: Everything You Need to Know
The NBA Playoffs — arguably the most exciting time of the basketball season. This is when the regular season NBA standings actually start to matter, and teams either rise to glory or collapse under pressure. If you’re wondering how the whole thing works, what the NBA schedule looks like, or you just need top freshen up before the NBA Playoffs, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it all down, step by step, without making your head spin.
How Do the NBA Playoffs Work?
Alright, so first things first— let’s start with how the NBA Playoffs actually work. There’s a system, and it actually makes a lot of sense (unlike some basketball rules, but we’ll save that debate for another day).
The playoffs start with 16 teams—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. These teams qualify based on their performance during the regular season, specifically their spot in the NBA standings. But, thanks to the Play-In Tournament (which the NBA added to keep things interesting), the final two seeds in each conference now have to fight for their playoff spot.
Once the top 16 teams are locked in, the playoffs follow a best-of-seven series format. This means teams have to win four games to advance to the next round. No flukes, no lucky breaks—just consistency and endurance.
The NBA Playoff Structure
First Round
Eight series (four in each conference) where the No. 1 seed faces the No. 8 seed, No. 2 plays No. 7, and so on. Upsets happen here more than you’d think—so if you’re looking at NBA odds, don’t just assume the top seed will cruise through.
Conference Semifinals
The remaining four teams in each conference face off. Things start getting serious.
Conference Finals
The last two teams standing in each conference battle it out for a ticket to the NBA Finals. By now, the stakes are through the roof.
NBA Finals
The Eastern Conference champ faces off against the Western Conference champ in a best-of-seven series for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. This is where legacies are made and where NBA championship odds either pay off big time or leave you wondering why you trusted your gut.
Key Dates for the NBA Playoffs 2025
Because you probably don’t want to miss any of the action (or at least want to pretend you watched it when discussing with friends), here’s the full NBA schedule of how things unfold:
| Round | Start Date(s) |
|---|---|
|
Play-In Tournament |
April 15th–18th |
|
First Round |
April 19th |
|
Conference Semi finals
|
May 5th–6th |
|
Conference Finals |
May (TBD) |
|
NBA Finals |
June 5th |
With a NBA Schedule like this, your summer is going to be full!
Who Are the Favourites This Year?
Now, if you’re looking for a sure-fire prediction… good luck. The NBA Playoffs are unpredictable, and that’s what makes them great. However, checking out the latest NBA championship odds is a good way to get a feel for which teams are expected to make a deep run.
A few things you (might) want to consider:
Star power matters
If a team has a player like LeBron, Giannis, or Jokic, they’re probably in the mix.
Depth is key
Injuries happen, and teams with strong benches tend to go further.
Matchups are everything
Some teams just have another team’s number—watch for those rivalries in the NBA fixtures.
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Final Thoughts: NBA Playoff
The NBA Playoffs are where the best of the best shine. Whether you’re in it for the game, the NBA odds, or just to have an excuse to argue with your friends about basketball positions, there’s something for everyone. So, grab some snacks, check the NBA schedule, and enjoy the chaos.
And hey, even if your team gets knocked out early, there’s always next season… or at least some good memes to enjoy along the way.
