Denver still has the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić. With a exception of a down postseason from his running mate in 2024, Jokić and Jamal Murray are among the league's bigger playoff risers. And the Nuggets ending the season 3-0 under their interim coach could be more than the typical "new coach bump."

Now that (most) first-round matchups are set, the CBS Sports NBA staff went matchup-by-matchup to make our pic

The Warriors won four fewer games than the Rockets and lost two of the final three head-to-head meetings, but they’re still series favorites.

The Golden State Warriors secured a spot in the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference following a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Stephen Curry stole the show with a fourth-quarter takeover, but that game was also the latest example of how Jimmy Butler can raise his level when the stakes are highest.

The Golden State Warriors officially made the playoffs when they clinched the No. 7 seed by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night. It wasn't without drama, however. The Warriors got up big early,