Sun Apr 20 16:40:00 UTC 2025: ## NBA Playoffs Tip Off with Cavaliers and Thunder Leading the Charge
**[City, State] – April 18, 2025** – The 2025 NBA Playoffs have officially begun, promising a thrilling postseason battle. The Cleveland Cavaliers secured the Eastern Conference’s top seed after a dominant regular season, while the defending champion Boston Celtics clinched the number two spot, spearheaded by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, claimed the number one seed for the second consecutive year. The Houston Rockets, a significantly improved team this season, secured the second seed. The Los Angeles Lakers, boosted by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, round out the top three in the West.
Following the conclusion of the play-in tournament, the 16-team playoff bracket is set. The first round begins today, April 19th, with four games, and four more will commence on April 20th. Each best-of-seven series will see the higher-seeded team enjoy home-court advantage, following a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin June 5th, airing on ABC and the ESPN App. Expect comprehensive coverage of the playoffs from [News Outlet Name] throughout the postseason.
First Piper 