2025 NBA playoffs: Conference semifinals takeaways

The second round of the 2025 Nba Playoffs is Here, and our nba insiders have you covered for every game of the eater and western conferred semifinals.

The no. 4 Indiana Pacers Began the second round by taking home court from the no. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers With A 121-112 Victory in Game 1.

On Monday, the No. 3 New York Knicks Will Travel to the No. 2 Boston Celtics For game 1, and in the west, the no. 4 Denver nuggets Will take on the no. 1 seed Oklahoma city thunder.

As time continue to chase the Larry O’Briien Trophy, Here’s What Matters Most in Both Conferences and What to Watch for in All Four Series.

More Coverage:
Schedules and results | Offseason Guides

GAME 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112

What we learned in game 1:

Indiana threw the first punch and stole home-court advantage in the series after outscoring Cleveland 29-22 in the FOURTH QUARTER. The pacers are entered as the underdogs in this series against the top-seeded caves, but it was Indiana that raced out to a first-quartage and dictated the flow of the game which is handing cleveland ITS FIRST The playoffs. The Pacers Made 19 3-Pointers, The Second Most in a Playoff Game in Franchise History, and Had Six Players Finish With Double Figures in Scoring. PACERS ALL-STAR GUARD TYRESE HALIBURTON Finished with 22 Points, 13 Assists, 3 blocks and a steal while Indiana shot 7 for 12 from 3 (58%) on his passes.

Play

Obi Toppin Throws Down Fast-Break Jam for Pacers

Obi Toppin Takes Advantage of an Offensive Mixup and Comes Away to Throw the Hammer Down for the Pacers Vs. The cavaliers.

What to watch in game 2:

Darius garland‘s status is very important in this series. Cleveland got away with being less than 100% in the first round again MIAMI HEATBut it was evident from the opening Quarter Sunday that the pacers are a level up in competition. Indiana consistently generated open shots and knocked them down. The cavaliers will need Garland, who has missed the past three Playoff Games because of a sprained big toe, to provide some offensive help to Donovan mitchellwho finished with 33 points. ——- Jamal collier

Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tuesday, 7 PM ET, TNT)