As the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs enters week two, we have seen some interesting games, including the Memphis Grizzlies of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, Memphis Grizzlies.

In the Eastern Conference, four top seed teams are on the verge of free throws to cast their tickets into the second round. The first-place seed Cleveland Cavaliers can complete a sweep Monday, while the second-seed Boston Celtics, the 3-seed New York Knicks and the fourth-seed Indiana Pacers will have to wait until Tuesday to try to end their respective series.

The Western Conference has been the battlefield as the fourth seed Denver Nuggets and fifth seed Los Angeles Scissors opened the series with an overtime thriller, followed by Denver Aaron Gordon winning the game buzzer. The future of the 7-seed Golden State Warriors remains uncertain as they await the status of Jimmy Butler III. The 3-seeded Los Angeles Lakers will hope to rebound after losing Sunday with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Minnesota No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, which beat Los Angeles 3-1 in the series.

Week 1 provides us with superstar highlights and a picky fourth quarter. Our NBA insiders break down what caught their eyes on the first week, and what to look at next.

The Cavaliers rose 3-0 and the Celtics led 3-1 in their respective series. Is this a match for the Eastern Conference Finals?

I won't ignore the Pacers, they also rose 3-1 in the injured Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana finished the season 14-4, and Tyrese Haliburton looked healthy - that has continued into the playoffs. Pacers can play Strength to pair with the Cavaliers and stretch the floor. Of course, after Boston beats the regular season series 4-0, you can favor the Celtics in the Knicks series. The Cavaliers are also a favorite for the next round, playing the best basketball with the Miami Heat in weeks, but respecting a potential showdown with Indy. I assure you, the Knight's camp will. - Brian Windhorst

Which team in the Eastern Conference needs to make the biggest intermediate adjustments?

The Detroit Pistons played well enough against the Knicks to rise 3-1. But the Pistons' young men and bad decisions repeatedly hurt them, which is why they fell 3-1. One of the culprits in Nails 4 game? Detroit had 19 turnovers, just like they lost in the first game. The lost property is a game-changer, especially considering that the Pistons don't have a solid offensive rebounder at Isaiah Stewart and struggle over a long distance (35.2% of 35.2%). Detroit has not played this series yet, not New York. That's not a winning formula. Tilting Dennis Schroder with Cade Cunningham might be the solution for Detroit to take better care of the ball. - Chris Herring

What does the Warriors need to do to win Game 4 and return to Houston with a 3-1 lead?

Getting Jimmy Butler III back would be a huge driving force for Golden State. Butler is questionable, but it will be five days since the first quarter of Game 2. Even if the Warriors have to play the second full game without "playoff Jimmy", their blueprint is how to win from a 104-93 victory in Game 3. Rebounds. But he got help in Buddy Hield's sprint, spreading the floor with 17 points and 5 3 seconds, Gary Payton II scored 16 points, and Houston focused on Curry. Defensively, the fighters have to check Jalen Green. Green scored 7 and 9 in two Rockets losses, and Houston struggled with other scoring. - Ohm Youngmisuk

Is there a path for the Bucks when Damian Lillard is injured?

Not only did Milwaukee beat 3-1 in two of the remaining three games in Indianapolis, but the Bucks also had to prepare as if they would have no Lillard (leg) in Game 5 and beyond. The priority of DOC Rivers should be to find a lineup that can be stopped. The Pacers scored at least 120 points per 100 possessions in all three wins. The solution might be to create Ryan Rollins, who replaced Lillard with most of the seasons ending eight straight wins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. - Kevin Pelton

What is the offseason plan for the Grizzlies after firing their coach and being swept in the first round?

The Grizzlies first need to improve their future and sign Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama to expand. Then, they need to choose a direction and stick to it. Over the past few seasons, they have been trying different approaches with three independent coaches with three unique offensive visions (Patrick St. Andrews, Noah Larochi and Thomas Isalo) – which has confusing continuity. Whatever they do, if they want to compete in a competitive Western conference, they need to create a solid identity. - Ramona Shelburne

Lakers - The Townborg series will boil down to: _____?

depth. The Wolves' bench beat Los Angeles' reserves 25-6 in Game 4. This is after the first three games of the series have become 42 games. Lakers coach JJ Redick even used only five players throughout the second half Sunday, starting from Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jordan Goodwin, who have been the second unit of LA. Of course, part of this gap is team building. Redick doesn't believe that Alex Len is a viable backup center. And the popular way of the series, he is not keen on playing Jaxson Hayes. Meanwhile, Minnesota has received outstanding performances from Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid to complement the starring Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. - Dave McMenamin

So far, what was the biggest surprise in the first round of the Western Conference Series?

Redick and Nuggets coach David Adelman almost entirely relied on their top five players, with their team down 2-1 on the road. Aderman's hand was forced by injury to Russell Westbrook, who missed Game 4, but only two teams have less reserves in the past two decades than Denver's 25.6-minute reserves played on Saturday. Redick became the first coach to play five players throughout the second half on Sunday, performing better on Sunday, according to the Erias Sports Institution. - Pelton

Which team in the West has the best chance to beat the Thunder?

The Clippers faced the first seed's rights to fight for the Nuggets in the next round have all the ingredients with thunder. The 20-game winner in the clip has been an elite defensive team who has been able to be the best player in any series in Kawhi Leonard’s superstar, even though he is facing the MVP of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With the offseason addition, Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. But Gilgeous-Alexander's former team can at least make him work for every shot. - Tim MacMahon