The 2025 NBA postseason officially kicks off with the SoFi Play-In Tournament, featuring the No. 9 and No. 10 teams from each conference. On Wednesday, the Miami Heat (10) take on the Chicago Bulls (9) in the Eastern Conference matchup, while the Dallas Mavericks (10) face the Sacramento Kings (9) in the Western Conference battle.
In the East, the Bulls are favored to win against the Heat, led by Josh Giddey’s impressive performance. Giddey averaged 21.2 points and 9.3 assists over his final 19 games, including a 28-point triple-double against the Heat. The key matchup is between Tyler Herro and Coby White, two promising guards who have delivered this season.
On the other hand, the Mavericks are expected to lose to the Kings, led by Domantas Sabonis’ passing ability. The Kings bring better balance without injured Malik Monk, while the Mavericks face a severe backcourt disadvantage.
The winner of each matchup will advance to the first round, where they will face either the Grizzlies or Hawks for the No. 8 seed in their respective conferences. Stay tuned for more updates and predictions on this year’s SoFi Play-In Tournament.
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-playoffs-play-in-preview-2