The physicality in these NBA Playoffs is palpable, and most teams are sensing the shift. Some, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, even seem satisfied by it.

Alexander and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs as favorites to win the NBA championship, and they have done nothing to dissuade the betting public so far after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies.

Sixteen teams in total make the NBA playoffs, eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conference. The top six seeds in each conference advance based on the regular season record. The final two seeds in each conference are determined by the NBA Play-In Tournament.

When do the NBA Finals begin? The NBA Finals tip off June 5, with the first game set for 8:30 ET that day at the arena of the team with the better regular-season record (Oklahoma

The field for the second round is beginning to take shape in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Eleven teams remain in the playoff bracket, and five teams -- the Thunder, Cavaliers, Pacers, Celtics and Timberwolves -- have already moved on.

Entering the playoffs, more money had been wagered on the Lakers to win the Finals than any other team at multiple sportsbooks. That money will be staying with the house.

LeBron James says he is unsure if he will continue his NBA career next season after the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the first round of the play-offs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 40-year-old,