2025 NBA playoffs - Eastern Conference first-round takeaways - ESPN

The 2025 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Miami Heat on Saturday without Darius Garland, handing the Heat their worst-ever playoff loss.

Friday's action saw the No. 2 Boston Celtics lose Game 3 against the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero combing for 61 points. The No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks defeated the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers for their first victory in the series.

Cade Cunningham and the No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons welcomed the No. 3 seed New York Knicks to the Motor City on Thursday, but dropped their first game at home after Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 61 points to take a 2-1 series lead.

As the East playoffs continue, here's what matters most and what to watch for in all four series.

Jump to a series:
Cavaliers-Heat | Celtics-Magic
Knicks-Pistons | Pacers-Bucks

More coverage:
West first-round takeaways
Schedules and results | Offseason guides

Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87

What we learned:

The Cavs focused their game plan on their guards in Games 1 and 2, attacking switches and leaning into their playmakers as they should. In Game 3, with Darius Garland out after aggravating a sprained toe, coach Kenny Atkinson downshifted to his bigs. All season long the Cavs have been able to do this because they're so deep and skilled, and Atkinson spent all year developing various gears — and that has been on display for the past week. Jarrett Allen made eight total baskets in Games 1 and 2 combined, and he made seven in the first half of Game 3. Allen and Evan Mobley finished with 41 points as the Cavs dominated with a 60-30 advantage in