There will be four NBA playoff games for fans to watch on Tuesday night. In three of these four series, the home team will have the opportunity to close it in Game 5.
This includes the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics. All three have a 3-1 lead in their respective series. Tuesday night’s victory will punch tickets to the meeting’s semi-finals. Can the Knicks, Pacers and Celtics all close out the series on Tuesday night?
New York, Indiana and Boston have a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5
🏆Playoff bracket🏆
▪§Avs proceeds to East Semis
▪§GSW wins a 3-1 series lead#nbaplayoffs Google announced that it will be playing four games on NBA TV and TNT on Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/6ve0thxc6d
-NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
Detroit Pistons vs New York Knicks
#3 Seed Knicks have a #6 seed piston and a first round matchup. It was a fierce battle series throughout the first four games. The last two games were determined by one possession. Detroit played the playoffs this season for the first time since 2018-19. Their lack of experience in the postseason shows. Piston took a lead late in several games but was unable to close it. Sunday’s Game 4 had a controversial ending.
The basketball, which was overlooked, went into the hands of Tim Hardaway Jr. He immediately shot the ball to defeat the shot clock. When that happened, Knicks Josh Hart closed and made contact with Hardaway Jr. The foul was not called and the piston was deprived of a chance to win. They are currently down 3-1 for the Knicks and are in New York for Game 5. The Knicks have a chance to close the series at home tonight. Detroit’s only victory so far took place at Madison Square Garden in Game 2.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers
In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks ran to the NBA Finals, winning their second franchise championship. Since then, the team has only played the second round of the playoffs once. If the Bucks lose Game 5 on Tuesday, it will be their first exit of the postseason, their third in a row. Plus, it will be the second straight season bouncing off by the Pacers in the first round.
Indiana is about to close the series at home with Game 5 tonight. Milwaukee has the best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo in this series. However, Pacer has a deeper roster and better team chemistry compared to the Bucks. Pascal Siakam leads the pacer with 22.2 points per game this postseason. If Indiana wins this opening round series, they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. They’re a regular season 3-1 vs Cavs.
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
Despite their season being derailed by injuries, the magic made the playoffs. However, it was through the play-in tournament, they won the #7 seed. This gave Orlando a first round matchup and a defending NBA champion. Through four games, the Celtics have a 3-1 series lead vs. magic. Orlando stole Game 3 in Boston, 95-93. The Celtics responded with a 107-98 victory in Game 4 on Sunday.
The Celtics are aiming to advance to their eighth conference semi-finals in the past nine seasons. Boston has dealt with some injuries in the first round. Luckily, even with the starters out, they have the depth to win at a high level. Jrue Holiday is set to miss his second straight game due to a hamstring injury. With the series back in Boston, Magic has a winning home scenario tonight. If Boston wins, they will proceed to the next round.