The NBA Playoffs start Saturday with a quadruple-header. The Lakers and Knicks are both in action as well as Game 1 of Nuggets-Clippers.

While Nikola Jokić is the best player in this series, the Clippers have proven they can play at an elite level on both ends. A sense of familiarity should bring added chippiness to this intriguing 1st-round matchup. Shaq, Chuck and Kenny headline 10 media members delivering their picks for the opening round.

The NBA playoff picture came into full focus Friday night with the final two games of the play-in tournament. The Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies were victorious to grab the final two slots in the playoff field.

After a week of six play-in games, the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs opens this weekend with four games on Saturday (April 19) and four on Sunday that could begin answering a wide range of questions:

The Miami Heat became the first 10th-seeded team to reach the NBA play-offs through the play-in tournament as they scored an overtime success against the Atlanta Hawks. The Heat began the four-team Eastern Conference qualification tournament needing to win consecutive road games to advance.