As the first weekend of the NBA Playoffs continues, Sunday’s slate promises a feast of storylines, showdowns, and playoff debuts. From top-seeded contenders to historic rivalries and thrilling matchups between old foes and new challengers, this is a day that could set the tone for the rest of the postseason.
Oklahoma City will be aiming to turn regular-season dominance into playoff legitimacy, while Boston’s title defence begins in earnest at home. Cleveland hopes to turn home-court comfort into Game 1 dominance, and Houston’s young guns look to write a new chapter in their postseason rivalry with Golden State.
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
Match Info
- Sunday 20th April 2025 – 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST
- Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, USA
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies arrive in Round 1 as survivors of the play-in gauntlet, rallying past Dallas after falling to Golden State. Ja Morant’s 22-point effort through injury against the Mavericks underlined his status as one of the most fearless stars in the league. However, injuries, late-season inconsistency, and a mid-year coaching change have left this Memphis team lacking the rhythm and firepower that propelled them early in the year. Jaren Jackson Jr. will need to anchor the defence and find his shooting form if Memphis are to have a chance against the No. 1 seed.
Oklahoma City Thunder
This is Oklahoma City’s moment. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Thunder to the best record in the West and enters the postseason as an MVP frontrunner. The Thunder swept Memphis in the regular season by an average margin of nearly 19 points, with SGA averaging 36.3 per contest. Young, explosive, and deeply talented, OKC must now prove they’re more than a feel-good regular-season story. With nine straight wins over the Grizzlies and home-court advantage, they’re poised to strike early.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Oklahoma City Thunder to win
Too much depth, firepower, and momentum for a banged-up Memphis squad still seeking cohesion.
America Bet Score Prediction
Memphis Grizzlies 101 – 118 Oklahoma City Thunder
Expect a statement win from the Thunder behind SGA and an overwhelming transition game.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 34.5 Points
- Thunder to Win by 15+
- Morant Over 8.5 Assists
- Game Total Over 218.5
- Thunder -10.5 (Spread)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. Under 17.5 Points
- Thunder First to 20 Points
- OKC to Lead at Half & Full Time
- SGA First Basket
- Thunder to Score Over 115.5 Points
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
Match Info
- Sunday 20th April 2025 – 15:30 EST / 20:30 BST
- TD Garden, Boston, USA
Orlando Magic
Orlando arrive brimming with belief after dispatching Atlanta in the play-in, and they’ll lean on a core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They’ve already beaten Boston twice this season, but those wins came under unique circumstances. Their challenge? Limiting the NBA’s top three-point attack while finding enough outside scoring of their own — an area that’s plagued them all year. Their elite defence could keep them close, but this is an uphill climb in a raucous road setting.
Boston Celtics
The defending champions are back with a vengeance. Rested, reloaded, and ready, the Celtics aim to become the first repeat champs since the Warriors. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and a record-setting three-point unit make them deadly from the perimeter. Boston lost the season series 2-1 to Orlando, but none of their stars played in that April 9 loss. At home and healthy, expect Boston to remind everyone why they’re still the team to beat in the East.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Boston Celtics to win
The champions will use home-court advantage and long-range firepower to take Game 1.
America Bet Score Prediction
Orlando Magic 98 – 114 Boston Celtics
Celtics dominate from deep and lock down Orlando’s inconsistent shooters.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Jayson Tatum Over 25.5 Points
- Celtics -8.5 (Spread)
- Game Total Under 220.5
- Magic Under 100.5 Points
- Franz Wagner Under 18.5 Points
- Tatum First Field Goal
- Celtics to Win by 11-20 Points
- Banchero 6+ Rebounds
- Payton Pritchard Over 2.5 Made Threes
- Celtics to Win & Under 220.5 Points
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
Match Info
- Sunday 20th April 2025 – 19:00 EST / 00:00 BST (Monday)
- Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, USA
Miami Heat
The Heat are nothing if not resilient. They clawed their way into the playoffs as a No. 10 seed, toppling both Chicago and Atlanta behind gutsy efforts from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. This marks their sixth straight playoff appearance, and their veterans know how to navigate postseason chaos. But fatigue and inconsistency loom large, and Cleveland — the East’s best team all season — awaits.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers quietly stormed to a 64-win campaign, locking up the No. 1 seed in the East. Led by Donovan Mitchell and supported by Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, they boast elite two-way balance and a dominant home record (34-7). The only question mark is rust after a week off — and how quickly they can adjust to Miami’s physicality. Still, with their core healthy and hungry, they’re primed to take care of business.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers to win
Home-court advantage, a fresh roster, and elite balance give Cleveland the upper hand.
America Bet Score Prediction
Miami Heat 103 – 111 Cleveland Cavaliers
Expect a competitive opener, but Cleveland’s half-court execution will be the difference.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Donovan Mitchell Over 24.5 Points
- Heat +8.5 (Spread)
- Game Total Over 211.5
- Bam Adebayo Double-Double
- Cavaliers to Win by 6-10 Points
- Herro Over 2.5 Threes
- Garland Over 7.5 Assists
- Mobley 2+ Blocks
- Cavaliers to Win First Quarter
- Cavaliers to Score Over 110.5 Points
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Match Info
- Sunday 20th April 2025 – 21:30 EST / 02:30 BST (Monday)
- Toyota Center, Houston, USA
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are back in familiar territory, though this time as underdogs. While their core of Curry, Green and Looney brings unmatched experience, inconsistency has plagued them all season. They’ve lost two of their last three to Houston and will need to rediscover their playoff mettle quickly. Containing Houston’s pace and avoiding foul trouble will be key if they want to avoid falling behind early in the series.
Houston Rockets
Once rebuilding, now resurgent. The Rockets have stormed into the postseason as the No. 2 seed, with a dynamic, switchable defence and a new star in Jimmy Butler powering their late-season surge. Fred VanVleet and Alperen Şengün add balance, while Amen Thompson has become a Curry-stopper of sorts. After winning their most recent meeting and holding Curry to just three points, the Rockets look like a team ready to turn history on its head.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Houston Rockets to win
Youth, defence, and depth should overcome experience in this opener.
America Bet Score Prediction
Golden State Warriors 102 – 110 Houston Rockets
Houston’s defence locks in late as they protect home court in a physical battle.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Curry Under 25.5 Points
- Rockets -4.5 (Spread)
- Game Total Under 215.5
- Butler Over 6.5 Rebounds
- Amen Thompson Over 1.5 Steals
- VanVleet Over 7.5 Assists
- Rockets to Win & Under 215.5
- Sengun Double-Double
- Rockets First Half Winner
- Green to Record a Technical Foul (Special)
