The 5 Big Mysteries to Solve in the Last Week of the NBA 2025 Season

The work of months of competition can take on a special meaning or go down the drain in this final week of the 2025 NBA regular season, for some teams. There are very important things left to decide and big question marks to resolve heading into what promises to be an exciting playoff. Let's go through it in detail.

The Sunday afternoon-evening in Spain on April 13th will put the finishing touch to a 2025 NBA season full of positive surprises, disappointments, historic events, and great entertainment. While it is true that tanking has been rampant in some teams for a while and others have already done their homework and can relax, there are still things to fight for that will be decided in this final sprint of the competition. We analyze what they are and which franchises are involved.

1. Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons battle for the fifth spot in the East

Just one game separates two teams who are aware of how important it can be to finish in fifth place, to face a more manageable matchup against the Pacers rather than the Knicks. Furthermore, the potential semifinal clash would be with the Cavs, who despite their great season, inspire less fear than the Celtics in the postseason.

2. Order of the play-in teams in the Eastern Conference

Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat are neck and neck. One game separates one from the other, with many possible scenarios to change positions in this final week of competition. Making the playoffs would be a success for all of them, turning them into dangerous opponents for the Celtics and, especially, the Cavs.

3. Pursuit of the third seed in the Western Conference

Securing the third spot in the West has been the great desire of the Los Angeles Lakers since Doncic arrived. They are aware that securing home-court advantage and avoiding a matchup with the Thunder in the Conference semis would be a significant step forward in their aspirations to compete for the championship. The Denver Nuggets seem the strongest contender for this privilege, but the Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies are just two games behind.

4. Battle to avoid the play-in tournament in the West

Maximum equality prevails among five teams with practically the same record. Two of them will be forced to face each other in the play-in, knowing that the loser could be left out, and that the best scenario for them would be to face the Thunder in the first round. The Memphis Grizzlies appear to be the weakest opponent.

5. Contest for the ninth spot in the West between the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings

Half a game separates the Texans from the Californians in a battle with no real stakes between two franchises that have fallen short of meeting expectations. Snagging the ninth spot would be the lesser evil and an opportunity to bid farewell to their fans with a win, keeping the dream alive of making it to the postseason against the Thunder.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las 5 grandes incógnitas a resolver en la última semana de la temporada NBA 2025