2025 NBA Playoff Picture, Play-in Standings and Bracket Predictions After April 5

One result can shift the dynamic of the NBA playoff races, and in turn, create tougher, or easier matchups for the teams that swap places.

That is the case leaving Saturday night in the Eastern Conference, where the Milwaukee Bucks inched slightly ahead of the Detroit Pistons for the No. 5 seed.

Detroit's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies dropped it a half-game back of the Bucks, who beat the Miami Heat on the front end of a back-to-back. Milwaukee plays the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

The Pistons and Bucks play each other twice to end the regular season, but for now, the Bucks have the slight edge.

The Western Conference playoff race is far closer from third on down.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies all won on Saturday to keep the standings as they were entering the day.

Eastern Conference

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1. Cleveland (62-15)
2. Boston (57-20)
3. New York (49-28)
4. Indiana (46-31)
5. Milwaukee (43-34)
6. Detroit (43-35)
7. Orlando (38-40)
8. Atlanta (36-41)
9. Chicago (35-42)
10. Miami (35-43

Milwaukee and Detroit swapped positions after Saturday's results.

The Bucks outlasted the Heat in overtime, while the Pistons fell to the Grizzlies at home.

Milwaukee can open up the advantage to one full game with an expected victory over the Pelicans on Sunday.

If the seedings hold, the Bucks would face the Indiana Pacers, while the Pistons would line up with the New York Knicks.

Detroit plays the Sacramento Kings and Knicks before its final two showdowns with Milwaukee.

The Bucks play New Orleans on Sunday and Thursday. They also host Minnesota on Tuesday before the Friday-Sunday battles with Detroit.

Milwaukee might be able to open up a two-game lead on Detroit prior to the head-to-head meetings because of its weaker set of opponents.

Miami fell to a half-game back of the Chicago Bulls for the No. 9 seed. The Heat and Bulls face off on Wednesday in Chicago.

Both teams have games left with the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers, and with Chicago holding the edge going into Sunday, the Bulls should be favored to host the play-in elimination game.

Bracket Predictions

Play-In: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 9 Chicago

Play-In: No. 8 Atlanta vs. No. 7 Orlando

No. 8 Atlanta vs. No. 1 Cleveland

No. 7 Orlando vs. No. 2 Boston

No. 6 Detroit vs. No. 3 New York

No. 5 Milwaukee vs. No. 4 Indiana

Western Conference

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1. Oklahoma City (64-13)
2. Houston (51-27)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (47-30)
4. Denver (47-31)
5. Golden State (46-31)
6. Minnesota (46-32)
7. LA Clippers (46-32)
8. Memphis (46-32)
9. Dallas (38-41)
10. Sacramento (37-40)
11. Phoenix (35-42)
12. Portland (34-44)
13. San Antonio (32-45)

The Wolves, Clippers and Grizzlies all held their ground in the West.

Minnesota survived a road upset scare in Philadelphia, the Clippers blew out the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis won on the road in Detroit.

All eyes will be on the Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors showdown on Sunday night.

Golden State is tied with Minnesota for the longest winning streak in the NBA at five games.

All of the teams around the Warriors in the standings will be rooting for the Rockets to knock them down in the standings.

Golden State sits in fifth, but it is only a half-game in front of Memphis in eighth place.

Denver hosts Indiana and the Lakers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in the other games of note in the West playoff race on Sunday.

Bracket Predictions

Play-In: No. 10 Sacramento vs. No. 9 Dallas

Play-In: No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 7 Minnesota

No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 1 OKC

No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 2 Houston

No. 6 LA Clippers vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers

No. 5 Denver vs. No. 4 Golden State