NBA Play-In Tournament: Expert Picks, Schedule, How To Watch & Odds
The NBA regular season has wrapped up, but the excitement is just beginning. The NBA Play-In Tournament is here, bringing four days of win-or-go-home games that could really change the playoff landscape.
With 12 teams already set for the postseason, the last four spots – two from each conference – are still up for grabs, creating some thrilling matchups. Whether it's experienced players aiming for one last deep playoff run or young talents looking to shine on the big stage, the play-in format ensures that every point counts and no lead is safe.
From the Eastern Conference battle between Orlando and Atlanta to the crucial game out West with Golden State and Memphis, the road to the playoffs is going to be challenging. Below, we’ll provide the complete schedule, odds, expert NBA Play-In Tournament picks, and details on how to catch every exciting moment live.
NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule For This Week, April 2024
The competition for playoff spots is intensifying as the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament takes place from April 15 to 18. This year's tournament promises thrilling moments, with four teams from each conference battling for the last two playoff positions. It's like a mini postseason showdown – every play matters, and mistakes are costly.
The excitement begins on Tuesday night with two crucial games: the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks from the East will face the 7th-seeded Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by a Western Conference clash between the Grizzlies and Warriors at 10 p.m. ET. On Wednesday, the drama continues with must-win games as the 9-seed Chicago Bulls take on the 10-seed Miami Heat, while the Kings and Mavericks compete in the West.
The winners will move on to Friday's final play-in games, where they will compete against the losers from Tuesday for the last playoff spots. It's a pivotal week – get ready for the action and our NBA Play-In Tournament picks!
NBA Play-In Schedule
All times Eastern
Eastern Conference:
- No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Orlando Magic
- Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
- No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Chicago Bulls
- Wednesday, 10:00 p.m. (ESPN)
- Winner of 9/10 vs. Loser of 7/8
- Friday, Time TBD (TNT)
Western Conference:
- No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies at No. 7 Golden State Warriors
- Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
- No. 10 Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 Sacramento Kings
- Wednesday, 10:00 p.m. (ESPN)
- Winner of 9/10 vs. Loser of 7/8
- Friday, Time TBD (ESPN)
NBA Play-In Tournament Expert Picks & Best Bets
One of the most exciting NBA Play-In Tournament picks is available at DraftKings Sportsbook, where you can bet on any play-in team to make it to the Conference Finals at +170. This is a tempting offer, especially when considering a few potential dark horses, particularly the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Let’s begin with the Warriors. They have quietly stepped up their game since the All-Star break, showing a +9.1 net rating during this time.
Stephen Curry continues to be a scoring machine, but it’s the contributions from players like Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Brandin Podziemski that make this team a threat. Golden State ranks 8th in defensive rating and is in the top 10 for rebounds per game, demonstrating their ability to secure wins in the playoffs.
On the other hand, Memphis is a dream for stats enthusiasts. They rank 4th in scoring (121.7 PPG) and are in the top 10 for shooting efficiency, even with Ja Morant sidelined at times.
Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane form a dynamic inside-outside partnership, and they excel in rebounding (2nd in the NBA). In short, this year’s play-in teams are not just there to fill space – they’re serious contenders. And at +170 at DraftKings, the value regarding our favorite of all NBA Play-In Tournament picks is clear.
How To Watch 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Games
- Dates: April 15-18, 2025
- Broadcast Partners: TNT and ESPN
Following the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament is now more convenient than ever, whether you're at home or on the move. This year, TNT and ESPN are sharing the broadcasting responsibilities, bringing you every thrilling moment from April 15 to 18.
TNT will showcase the doubleheader on Tuesday night, starting with Atlanta vs. Orlando at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by Memphis vs. Golden State at 10 p.m. ET. On Wednesday, ESPN will air the games featuring Miami vs. Chicago and Dallas vs. Sacramento, both starting at 7:30 and 10 p.m. ET, respectively.
The final matchups on Friday will be divided, with the Eastern game on TNT and the Western game on ESPN (times to be announced).
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Odds & Betting Lines Via DraftKings Sportsbook
As the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament begins, DraftKings Sportsbook has released a complete set of odds for all four matchups, along with some exciting futures for those looking to bet on potential playoff success:
- Hawks -5 (-110) vs. Magic +5 (-110) – O/U 217 (-110)
- Grizzlies +7 (-110) vs. Warriors -7 (-110) – 229 (-110)
- Heat +1 (-115) vs. Bulls -1 (-105) – O/U 219 (-110)
- Mavericks +5 (-110) vs. Kings -5 (-110) – O/U 216.5 (-110)
Whether you prefer to support the favorites or seek out underdog opportunities, there’s plenty of action to enjoy. In addition to the game odds, DraftKings is providing special bets on how far play-in teams might advance:
- Any play-in tournament team to reach the 2nd round of the playoffs -225
- Any play-in tournament team to reach the conference finals +170
- Any play-in tournament team to reach the NBA finals +550
- Any play-in tournament team to win the NBA finals +1100
For those looking for surprise outcomes or wanting to follow our NBA Play-In Tournament picks, now is the perfect time to place your bets at DraftKings!
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Ivica Zubac had a productive outing, finishing with 27 points (11-of-15 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in the Game 5 loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Zubac continued to score the ball well, finishing with a series-high in points on efficient shooting. However, Zubac’s usual impact on the glass was absent as he secured just five rebounds in Game 5 after tallying at least nine in the previous four, with his one assist also tying his lowest output of the series. Down in the series 3-2, the Clippers head back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Thursday, where they face a must-win situation to keep their season alive.
James Harden concluded Tuesday’s Game 5 loss to the Nuggets with 11 points (3-of-9 FGs, 5-of-8 FTs), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes.
Harden had a quiet night on Tuesday, barely cracking double figures in scoring and failing to register double-digit shot attempts. The 2018 NBA MVP has faced a stifling Nuggets defense that, over the last few games, has forced the ball out of his hands, leading to inferior performances compared to earlier games in the series. Harden will look for a bounce-back performance on Thursday as he tries to lead the Clippers to a season-saving victory in Game 6.
Kawhi Leonard stuffed the stat sheet in Tuesday’s Game 5 loss to the Nuggets, posting 20 points (8-of-15 FGs, 3-of-7 FTs), nine rebounds, 11 assists, one steal, two blocks and one three-pointer.
Leonard did a little bit of everything for the Clippers in Game 5. The two-time NBA Finals MVP posted a series-high in assists and also hit the glass hard, resulting in a near-triple-double. Leonard has scored at least 20 points in all five games of this series. However, the Clippers may need even more from him going forward as they look to extend their season beyond Thursday’s Game 6 at the Intuit Dome.
Nikola Jokic earned a triple-double in the Nuggets’ Game 5 win on Tuesday over the Clippers, finishing with 13 points (4-of-13 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), 10 rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, two blocks and one three-pointer.
The three-time NBA MVP had a relatively quiet game by his standards, but still came away with his third triple-double of the series. Jokic struggled with shooting efficiency, and his scoring output was the lowest of the series. Yet, his points were not as necessary in this game, given how well the rest of the Nuggets shot the ball. Nevertheless, Jokic will be in line for another big performance on Thursday when the Nuggets face the Clippers in Game 6.
Russell Westbrook came off the bench and produced 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), one rebound, one assist and three three-pointers in the Nuggets’ Game 5 win over the Clippers on Tuesday.
Westbrook was electric in his first game back in the lineup following a foot injury that kept him out of Game 4. His second-quarter scoring ignited the crowd and helped set the table for what would be his highest-scoring game of the postseason. The 2017 NBA MVP has had himself a nice series thus far from a scoring standpoint and will have a chance to end his former team’s season on Thursday in Game 6.
Jamal Murray had a dominant Game 5 performance in the Nuggets’ win over the Clippers on Tuesday, tallying 43 points (17-of-26 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), five rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block and eight three-pointers.
Fresh off a series-low 13 points in Game 4, Murray exploded for a series-high on Tuesday. He totaled nearly as many three-pointers in this game as he had in the previous four combined, while still managing to dish out seven assists. Murray got hot early in this one and never cooled off, and now has provided his Nuggets the opportunity on Thursday in Game 6 to eliminate the Clippers for the second time in the last five seasons.