NBA playoffs - Experts' picks for the play-in tournament and first round

What lies ahead in the NBA postseason?

The Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers kicked things off with the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game in the Eastern Conference play-in, followed by the 7-8 game in the Western Conference between the LA Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves. (Here's a refresher on how the play-in tournament works.)

Wednesday's games feature the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans vs. the San Antonio Spurs in each conference's 9-10 matchup.

Which playoff hopefuls will advance to the first round?

While four teams await their opponents, four series are set: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz.

How will Joel Embiid and James Harden fare in the duo's first series together? What impact will Luka Doncic's calf strain impact the Mavericks' chances?

Our panel of NBA experts is picking each play-in tournament game and first-round series.

MORE: The 75 things to know for the NBA postseason | Schedules

Kendra Andrews: Nets

Jamal Collier: Nets

Nick DePaula: Nets

Nick Friedell: Nets

Kirk Goldsberry: Nets

Israel Gutierrez: Nets

Richard Jefferson: Cavs

Tim Legler: Nets

Andrew Lopez: Nets

Tim MacMahon: Nets

Bobby Marks: Nets

Dave McMenamin: Nets

Kevin Pelton: Nets

Kendrick Perkins: Cavs

Omar Raja: Nets

Jorge Sedano: Nets

Ramona Shelburne: Nets

André Snellings: Nets

Marc J. Spears: Nets

Ohm Youngmisuk: Nets

Final tally: Nets 18, Cavaliers 2.

Kendra Andrews: Hawks

Jamal Collier: Hawks

Nick DePaula: Hornets

Nick Friedell: Hawks

Kirk Goldsberry: Hawks

Israel Gutierrez: Hornets

Richard Jefferson: Hawks

Tim Legler: Hornets

Andrew Lopez: Hawks

Tim MacMahon: Hawks

Bobby Marks: Hornets

Dave