2025 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs: Each team’s biggest question in the playoffs

As the 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off, every team in the Eastern Conference brings with it a burning question. Some are looking to validate their dominance, others are hoping to make noise for the first time, and a few are simply trying to recapture playoff magic from the past. Here’s one key question for each East playoff squad heading into this year’s postseason.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Are they for real?

The Cavaliers were expected to take a leap under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, but few predicted it would be this significant. Cleveland posted a 64-18 record, up from 51 wins last season, and ranked eighth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.8) while climbing to the best in the league in offensive rating (121.0). It’s a massive leap in two-way consistency, anchored by Evan Mobley’s breakout campaign and a more dynamic offense tailored around Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.

Mobley’s development has been a game-changer. The 22-year-old averaged career-highs in points (18.5), rebounds (9.3), and assists (3.2), while maintaining elite rim protection (1.6 blocks per game). Offensively, his confidence as a shot creator and short-roll playmaker opened up space for the rest of the team. The Cavs now run more actions through Mobley, especially from the elbows, and his improved jump shot has made him far more difficult to guard.

But make no mistake – Mitchell remains the barometer. The All-Star guard battled injuries down the stretch but still averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.0 rebounds on 44.3% shooting. If he can stay healthy and lead confidently on both ends, Cleveland has the pieces to make a legitimate run to the conference finals.

The Cavs have the metrics, the momentum, and the maturity. Now it’s about proving they belong with the league’s elite when the lights are the brightest.

Boston Celtics – Can they go back-to-back?

The reigning champions enter the playoffs with a sense of unfinished business — not because they failed last year, but because they’re now chasing greatness. The Celtics finished 61-21 this season for back to back 60-win seasons. They had the league’s second best net rating at +9.4, fueled by elite balance: second in offensive rating (119.5) and fourth in defensive rating (110.1).

Jayson Tatum continues to evolve as one of the NBA’s most complete stars. His 26.8 points per game came with improved efficiency (58.2% true shooting) and a career-high 8.7 rebounds. Tatum has learned to pick his spots better, moving the ball when doubled and attacking mismatches when given space. Jaylen Brown, fresh off his Finals MVP last season, has become a more consistent creator as well, averaging 22.2 points.

Add in Kristaps Porzingis’ floor spacing and rim protection, Jrue Holiday’s stability on both ends, and Derrick White’s ability to do everything in between, and the Celtics are again the most complete team in basketball. But repeating is never easy. No team has done it since the Warriors in 2018, and even small injuries or matchup issues can derail a title defense.

Boston is built for this moment, but with every other East contender gunning for them, the question looms large: can they close the deal twice in a row?

New York Knicks – Can they stay healthy?

When fully healthy, the Knicks look like a team that can hang with anyone — and that includes Boston and Cleveland. But that’s been the caveat all season. Jalen Brunson missed 17 games, Karl-Anthony Towns sat for 10, and OG Anunoby dealt with multiple absences due to elbow and hamstring issues. New York’s starting five of Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns had time to play with pace and their own style, and they looked formidable.

Brunson has been the Knicks’ engine, averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists while continuing to elevate in crunch time. His pairing with Towns gave New York a new level of offensive versatility, and Mikal Bridges’ ability to guard top wings allowed them to scheme freely. But concerns about wear and tear remain — especially under Tom Thibodeau, whose rotations have leaned heavily on his starters. All five starters have averaged in the top 15 of the most minutes played in the league, and that can likely put a strain on their bodies.

Depth is another concern. The Knicks rely on Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne, Delon Wright, and Landry Shamet to absorb the bench minutes. A deep run hinges on all starters being available and fresh throughout the postseason. If any one piece breaks down, New York could fall short of its championship aspirations.

This is their most talented team in years — but availability may be just as important as ability.

Indiana Pacers – Do they have enough to make a deep run once more?

Last year, the Pacers surprised many by reaching the second round, aided in part by injuries to their first-round opponent. This year, expectations are higher — and the margin for error is thinner. Indiana finished 50-32 and ranked 9th in offensive rating at 115.4. Their identity remains clear: run fast, shoot threes, and trust in Tyrese Haliburton to control the tempo.

Haliburton posted 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game this season, and despite shooting efficiency dipped slightly as teams began pressuring him more aggressively, he bounced back quite nicely and got back to the high level he was playing at. That’s where Pascal Siakam comes in to help him and provide a stabilizing frontcourt presence, while defending opposing bigs.

Depth-wise, the Pacers have the tools. Myles Turner remains one of the league’s best shot blockers, Andrew Nembhard has been solid alongside Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin has been a spark off the bench, and Aaron Nesmith’s development as a 3-and-D wing adds much-needed versatility. Still, the question remains: can they win when the pace slows and every possession becomes a grind?

Indiana is fun, fast, and fearless. But deep playoff success often requires more grit than style — and this postseason will test how much of both they truly possess.

Milwaukee Bucks – How lethal can the Giannis-Dame combo be?

It’s been a bumpy road for the Bucks since pairing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but they enter the playoffs with renewed hope. Injuries limited their time together but when both were on the floor, Milwaukee looked like a top 4 team in the East. The potential for a dominant inside-out attack remains, even as questions swirl around their chemistry and late-game execution.

Giannis put up another MVP-caliber campaign (30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG) on 60.1% shooting, while Lillard added 24.9 points and 7.1 assists per game, albeit with a slight dip in efficiency (44.8 FG%, 37.6 3P%). Their pick-and-roll tandem has shown flashes of brilliance, especially with spacing provided by their teammates. But Milwaukee’s defense remains a glaring concern, particularly at the point-of-attack.

Much of that responsibility falls on new head coach Doc Rivers, who took over midseason and has spent much of his tenure reshaping the defensive schemes. The team has shown better connectivity lately, but consistency is key. If the Bucks can get solid two-way contributions from Brook Lopez, Taurean Prince, and Kyle Kuzma, their ceiling rises considerably.

This postseason is the first true test of the Giannis-Dame partnership after a failed one last year. Can it deliver in crunch time and carry Milwaukee back to the Finals?

Detroit Pistons – Can they win a playoff series?

One of the most surprising stories of the season, the Detroit Pistons went from dead last in 2024 to securing the No. 6 seed in 2025 with a 44-38 record. It’s a dramatic turnaround fueled by internal growth, better health, and the emergence of Cade Cunningham as a legitimate star. Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds, and improved his shooting splits across the board — including a respectable 35.6% from three.

Head coach J.B Bickerstaff deserves credit for stabilizing the young roster. Jaden Ivey (despite being out for the year to injury), Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren have all taken steps forward in their roles, and the addition of veterans Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Tobias Harris has added much-needed floor spacing and leadership. The Pistons ranked 10th in defensive rating at 112.5 — a massive leap from their abysmal finish last season

Still, playoff basketball is a different animal. Detroit lacks experience, and their margin for error will be slim. Can Cunningham carry the offense when defenses trap him? Can their shooters hit timely shots? And can Duren hold his own against seasoned playoff bigs?

Winning a series would be monumental for the franchise — and a sign that Detroit’s rebuild is truly behind them.

Orlando Magic – Can their offense hold up?

There’s no questioning the Magic’s defensive pedigree. They finished second in defensive rating (109.1) and boast a switch-heavy scheme built around length, versatility, and discipline. But the big question entering the playoffs: can they score enough? Orlando ranked just 27th in offensive rating (108.9), and the loss of Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner due to injuries further thins their already-limited shot creation.

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner carry the bulk of the offense, but both have faced inconsistent stretches. Teams often sag off sub-par shooters like Cory Joseph or Jonathan Isaac, daring Orlando to hit perimeter shots — something they’ve struggled to do all year. Against Boston’s elite defense, those issues could be magnified.

Orlando will try to control tempo, force turnovers, and win the possession battle. They’ve been excellent in close games, but whether they can consistently generate efficient halfcourt looks remains uncertain.

Defense may win championships, but the Magic need buckets to even stay in the fight.

Miami Heat – Will they be able to replicate the Heat playoff magic this year?

The Heat have built a reputation as a team you never want to face in the playoffs — especially as a lower seed. In 2023, they made the Finals as an 8-seed. In 2024, they made the Celtics work despite key injuries. But can they pull off another surprise run this year? The roster remains largely intact, but injuries, aging stars, and inconsistency have clouded their outlook.

Without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo must step up on offense while anchoring the defense. Tyler Herro’s scoring punch is much needed, and the role players should contribute as well. But questions linger around depth and chemistry within their lineups after a shaky year.

The Heat finished just 21st in offensive rating (112.4) and 9th in defensive rating (112.0), a sign that the margins are tighter than ever. Still, if any team knows how to punch above its weight class, it’s this one. Erik Spoelstra will maximize every mismatch, he always finds a way to manipulate the opposing team.

Don’t count them out just yet but don’t expect the same magic to happen each and every time as well.