NBA Playoffs 2020: Experts' predictions for every opening-round series
The NBA playoffs officially start until Monday, but postseason intensity hit Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex two days early.
After a thrilling Thursday of seeding-game action, the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies clinched spots in the Western Conference play-in round, with Portland's victory securing a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now every opening-round series is set. How many sweeps will there be? Will we see a historic upset inside the neutral environment of the NBA's Florida bubble?
Our experts are making their predictions for every first-round matchup.
MORE: What to know for the 2020 playoffs | Full playoff schedule
Eastern Conference: Round 1
Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Jerry Bembry: Bucks in 5
Nick DePaula:Bucks in 5
Nick Friedell: Bucks in 4
Andrew Han: Bucks in 4
Andrew Lopez: Bucks in 4
Zach Lowe: Bucks in 4
Tim MacMahon: Bucks in 4
Bobby Marks: Bucks in 4
Dave McMenamin: Bucks in 4
Kevin Pelton: Bucks in 4
Jorge Sedano: Bucks in 4
Ramona Shelburne: Bucks in 5
Andre' Snellings: Bucks in 4
Marc Spears: Bucks in 5
Eric Woodyard: Bucks in 4
Royce Young: Bucks in 4
Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks in 4
Final tally: Bucks (17).
Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)
Jerry Bembry: Raptors in 5
Nick DePaula: Raptors in 5
Nick Friedell: Raptors in 4
Andrew Han: Raptors in 5
Andrew Lopez: Raptors in 5
Zach Lowe: Raptors in 4
Tim MacMahon: Raptors in 4
Bobby Marks: Raptors in 4
Dave McMenamin: Raptors in 5
Kevin Pelton: Raptors in 4
Jorge Sedano: Raptors in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Raptors in 5
Andre' Snellings: Raptors in 4
Marc Spears: Raptors in 5
Eric Woodyard: Raptors in 5
Royce Young: Raptors in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Raptors in 5
Final tally: Raptors (17).
Boston Celtics (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (6)
Jerry Bembry: Celtics in 6
Nick DePaula: Celtics in 5
Nick Friedell: Celtics in 5
Andrew Han: Celtics in 6
Andrew Lopez: Celtics in 6
Zach Lowe: Celtics in 6
Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 6
Bobby Marks: Celtics in 5
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 5
Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 5
Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6
Andre' Snellings: Celtics in 6
Marc Spears: Celtics in 6
Eric Woodyard: Celtics in 6
Royce Young: Celtics in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 5
Final tally:Celtics (17).
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Miami Heat (5)
Jerry Bembry: Heat in 6
Nick DePaula: Heat in 6
Nick Friedell: Heat in 5
Andrew Han: Heat in 6
Andrew Lopez: Heat in 6
Zach Lowe: Heat in 6
Tim MacMahon: Heat in 6
Bobby Marks: Heat in 7
Dave McMenamin: Heat in 5
Kevin Pelton: Heat in 6
Jorge Sedano: Heat in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Heat in 6
Andre' Snellings: Heat in 6
Marc Spears: Heat in 6
Eric Woodyard: Heat in 6
Royce Young: Heat in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Heat in 6
Final tally: Heat(17).
Western Conference: Round 1
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers
Jerry Bembry: Lakers in 5
Nick DePaula:Lakers in 6
Nick Friedell: Lakers in 7
Andrew Han: Lakers in 6
Andrew Lopez: Lakers in 5
Zach Lowe:Lakers in 5
Tim MacMahon: Lakers in 6
Bobby Marks: Lakers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 6
Kevin Pelton: Lakers in 6
Jorge Sedano: Lakers in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers in 6
Andre' Snellings: Trail Blazers in 7
Marc Spears: Lakers in 6
Eric Woodyard: Lakers in 5
Royce Young: Lakers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers in 6
Final tally: Lakers (16), Trail Blazers (1).
LA Clippers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)
Jerry Bembry: Clippers in 6
Nick DePaula: Clippers in 6
Nick Friedell: Clippers in 5
Andrew Han: Clippers in 5
Andrew Lopez: Clippers in 6
Zach Lowe: Clippers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Clippers in 6
Bobby Marks: Clippers in 5
Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 6
Kevin Pelton: Clippers in 5
Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Clippers in 5
Andre' Snellings: Clippers in 6
Marc Spears: Clippers in 6
Eric Woodyard: Clippers in 5
Royce Young: Clippers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Clippers in 5
Final tally: Clippers (17).
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Utah Jazz (6)
Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 5
Nick DePaula: Nuggets in 6
Nick Friedell: Nuggets in 7
Andrew Han: Nuggets in 6
Andrew Lopez: Nuggets in 5
Zach Lowe: Nuggets in 7
Tim MacMahon: Nuggets in 7
Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 7
Dave McMenamin: Nuggets in 5
Kevin Pelton: Nuggets in 7
Jorge Sedano: Nuggets in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 6
Andre' Snellings: Nuggets in 6
Marc Spears: Nuggets in 7
Eric Woodyard: Jazz in 7
Royce Young: Nuggets in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 6
Final tally: Nuggets (16), Jazz (1).
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5)
Jerry Bembry: Thunder in 6
Nick DePaula: Thunder in 6
Nick Friedell: Rockets in 6
Andrew Han: Rockets in 7
Andrew Lopez: Rockets in 7
Zach Lowe: Rockets in 6
Tim MacMahon: Thunder in 7
Bobby Marks: Thunder in 6
Dave McMenamin: Rockets in 6
Kevin Pelton: Rockets in 6
Jorge Sedano: Rockets in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Rockets in 6
Andre' Snellings: Rockets in 6
Marc Spears: Thunder in 7
Eric Woodyard: Rockets in 6
Royce Young: Thunder in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Rockets in 7
Final tally: Rockets (11), Thunder (6).
