2025 NBA Playoff Picture, Play-in Standings and Bracket Predictions After April 7
The Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat picked up important wins to their respective play-in tournament causes.
Sacramento won on the road over the Detroit Pistons to open up a full game advantage over the Dallas Mavericks in the race for the Western Conference No. 9 seed.
The Heat moved within a half-game of the Chicago Bulls thanks to a home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Miami and Chicago meet on Wednesday in a game that could decide which franchise hosts the single-elimination game of the play-in round.
The teams that finish in seventh through 10th in each conference will participate in the play-in round. The two winners of the play-in round will enter the playoff bracket as the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds.
Eastern Conference
1 of 2
- Cleveland (62-16)
- Boston (58-20)
- New York (50-28)
- Indiana (47-31)
- Milwaukee (44-34)
- Detroit (43-36)
- Orlando (38-40)
- Atlanta (37-41)
- Chicago (36-42)
- Miami (36-43)
Miami is now a half-game back for the No. 9 seed after its Monday victory.
The Heat have the potential to move ahead of the Bulls by way of a head-to-head win on Wednesday at the United Center.
After Wednesday, Miami closes with the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards, while the Bulls finish with the Wizards and Sixers.
Both teams are expected to go 2-0 in those games, so that's why Wednesday's game carries so much importance.
Chicago comes into Wednesday in better form with a 7-2 record in its last nine games. The Bulls have a chance to spring an upset over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday to add to that run.
Cleveland will be without Donovan Mitchell on Tuesday and the Cavs have nothing to play for with the No.1 seed locked up.
Outside of the play-in, Detroit's loss put it at a further disadvantage compared to Milwaukee in the hunt for the No. 5 seed.
The Bucks and Pistons play twice this weekend, but Milwaukee could lock up the No. 5 seed before Friday due to the gap between the two teams.
Bracket Prediction
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
2 of 2
- Oklahoma City (64-14)
- Houston (52-27)
- Los Angeles Lakers (48-30)
- Denver (47-32)
- LA Clippers (46-32)
- Golden State (46-32)
- Minnesota (46-32)
- Memphis (46-32)
- Sacramento (39-40)
- Dallas (38-41)
Sacramento is now a full game ahead of Dallas for the No. 9 seed and the right to host the single-elimination game in the play-in round.
The Kings needed Monday's win over the Pistons because they face tough matchups against the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers on Wednesday and Friday.
Sacramento has a near-guaranteed win on its schedule set for Sunday versus the Phoenix Suns, who could be eliminated from playoff contention before the weekend.
Dallas plays the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, but it also has a layup victory versus the Toronto Raptors left on its schedule.
Sacramento won the season series with Dallas, so the Mavs need to finish a game ahead of the Kings to claim the No. 9 seed.
The other two play-in round spots could change hands multiple teams this week.
Memphis finishes with Minnesota, Denver and Dallas, so it could be stuck in the seventh or eighth spot.
Golden State and Minnesota each play three teams outside the playoff places, while the Clippers have Houston, Sacramento and Golden State remaining on the schedule.
Bracket Prediction
Play-In: No. 10 Dallas vs. No. 9 Sacramento
Play-In: No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 7 LA Clippers
No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City
No. 7 LA Clippers vs. No. 2 Houston
No. 6 Minnesota vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers
No. 5 Golden State vs. No. 4 Denver
