NBA playoffs 2023 - Experts' picks for every second-round series - ESPN

01.05.2023 - 21:45 espn.com

The NBA playoffs are down to eight teams, each with a realistic path to the Finals. The first round was eventful in both the predictable outcomes and a splash of upsets thought to be unrealistic at the end of the regular season, most notably the eighth-seeded Miami Heat knocking out the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat now face the New York Knicks, who have exceeded preseason expectations themselves. In the other series in the East — between two teams expected to make it this far — the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers winner could determine the eventual East champion.

Meanwhile in the Western Conference, Nikola Jokic and the top-seeded Denver Nuggets will look to overcome their past playoff struggles and fend off a dangerous Phoenix Suns, who are led by Devin Booker and trade deadline addition Kevin Durant.

Who will advance? Our NBA experts reveal their picks for each conference semifinal winner. MORE: Schedule, news and results Kendra Andrews: Warriors in 6 Jerry Bembry: Warriors in 6 Jamal Collier: Warriors in 6 Nick DePaula: Warriors in 6 Kirk Goldsberry: Warriors in 7 Israel Gutierrez: Warriors in 7 Bobby Marks: Warriors in 6 Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 6 Kevin Pelton: Warriors in 7 Ramona Shelburne: Warriors in 7 André Snellings: Lakers in 6 Marc Spears: Warriors in 7 Ohm Youngmisuk: Warriors in 7 Final tally: Warriors 11, Lakers 2 Kendra Andrews: Suns in 6 Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 7 Jamal Collier: Suns in 6 Nick DePaula: Suns in 6 Nick Friedell: Suns in 6 Kirk Goldsberry: Suns in 7 Israel Gutierrez: Suns in 6 Tim Legler: Suns in 6 Tim MacMahon: Suns in 6 Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 7 Dave McMenamin: Suns in 6 Kevin Pelton: Suns in 6 Jorge Sedano: Suns in 7 Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 7 A

experts Devin Booker Kevin Durant Nikola Jokic Phoenix Suns Tim Macmahon Boston New York county Bucks Israel

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