Biggest questions of the 2025 NBA playoffs’ second round

The second round of the 2025 Nba Playoffs has featured overtime thrillers and fourth-quarter comebacks.

None of the high-seeded tims in the conference semifinals was able to Capture a win in game 1. Boston Celtics And the Minnesota Timberwolves Have be able to bounce back.

But the press is on with injuries to stars such Stephen curry And Karl-genery towns Hanging heavy over their response tims.

After a route 2 start full of surprises and back-and-forth series, our nba insiders break down the biggest takeaways, players under pressures and what to watch as you have tried to break through the conference Finals.

Who is under the most press for monday’s vital game 4?

I know what you supposed To say. It’s Jayson tatum And his lighting rod game of long jumpers and the occasional occurrences of avoiding contact. Or Jaylen brownwhere shooting in the series has been only marginally bet Than Tatum’s Tough Percentages. (Brown is a Wiful 5-of-23 on 3-Pointers.) But the reality is the celtics, for their outside bricklaying, still has moved guys in double figures and an established track record as a wack Ball.

The knicks really Could use a signature game from all -star guard Jalen brunson On Monday Night. His Approval Rating in New York is sky-heigh, and rightly so, because his clutch performans are legendary. Butt a step back and the uncomfortable truth is that brunson is getting smothered by the celtics’ rotation of defenders, Especially Derrick white And Jrue holiday. Brunson is shooting just 38% in the series. And Boston is keeping Him Off the Line; Brunson has just 18 trips in the three games, which is 33% less than he averaged again Detroit pistons In the first round. The knicks are just 5 points in regulation and shooting a lowly 42% in the series. Plus, Karl-Installony Towns is now dealing with a left-hand injury, and the celtics are more deterrent than to intentionally foll Mitchell Robinsonwho is a ruinous 7-of-23 at the foul line, to steal knicks possessions. – Brian Windhorst

This series will go to game 7 if ____?

Nikola jokic Rediscovers His Shooting Touch in one of the Next Two Games. The three-time mvp is in an unprecedented funk, Shooting under 40% from the floor in three consecutive games with ate 15 attendance for the first time in his career (Regular Season or Playofs), According To Espn Research. Jokic, one of the most effective superstars in nba history, shot 33.3% during that three-game stretch, and he has more turnovers than in the series. Oklahoma City’s Top-Ranked Defense Deserves a lot of credit for making jokic’s job differ from, and it will contain to apply the press on. – Tim Macmahon

What is the wolves’ biggest weakness, and how to do the warriors experi that without stephen curry?

As one of the four teams in the league to rank in the top 10 in Both Offense and defense during the Regular Season, the Timberwolves don he have many Major Vulnerabilities. And minnesota’s 23-6 records the calendar turned to march only reinforces that. However, the wolves have always protected the basketball the way a team that short be totally Locked in the value of every possession would be exposed to. Even though minesota is up 2-1 on Golden State, the wolves have committed more turnovers than the warriors in two out of the three games, including 21-15 in Game 3. State Only Scored 13 Points Off the Wolves ‘Miscues in Game 3, while the wolves scored 16 points of the warrior’ mistakes. If the Warriors can continue to use Draymond green, Jimmy butler, Brandin Underworks, Gary Payton II And Jonathan Kuminga To harass the wolves’ ball handlers and get a little more Organized in their translation game when they do force a minesota blunder, guarden states might be able to steal a win Curry a chance to heal his left hamstring for a game 6 return. – Dave Mcmenamin

The caves can bounce back in this series if they ____?

Rediscover their historically Great Offense from the Regular Season. Cleveland had the no. 1 Offensive rating in the NBA. But outside of Donovan mitchellit’s a struggle offensively all series, culminating in game 4’s blowout Loss that put the brink of elimination. In the first Half of Sunday Night’s Contest, The Cavs Scored 39 Points WHILE GENERATING THREE ASSISTS AND COMMITTING 14 TUNNOVERS. To make matters worse, mitchell, who is available the most points in a playoff series by a caves player. Lebron jamesDid not play in the second half because of an ankle injury. – Jamal Collier

Bonus!

What has been the biggest surprise of the second round so far?

This Season, for the first time in Nba History, Three Teams Posted an Average Point Differential of Plus-9 or Better Per Game. Then the Same Squads-The Thunder, the Cavaliers and the Celtics-cruised in the first round, Going a combined 12-1 Against Play-In Teams. They all beemed on a collision course for the conference finals and the Nba finals.

So, even the Aknowledging the role that injuries and shooting luck has played, it is an immense surprise that is collectively struggling in the second. The big three from the regular season is a combined 4-7 Against denver, indiana and new york, responsive, in these playoffs. Those Same Big Three Might All Still Advance, As Expected. But the unexpected parity has made for more entertainment games and a more commentary round overall. – Zach stall

My NBA Finals Picks Are:

Even though both trailed 2-1 as of sunday morning, I ‘sticking with the celtics and the thunder. Boston’s Game 3 Performance was a reminder of its matchup advantages Against the knicks when it makes 3s. With the top-seeded cavaliers at the full strength, the celtics would be right in the ends of the estern conference. Out west, minnesota is the seest bit on the boat to reap the conference finals and also with the wit oklahoma city this season. Still, the thunder are back in a position of hasing home-court Advantage through the playoffs, making them the favorites. – Kevin Pelton