Expert Predictions for the Eastern Conference, Western Conference, and NBA Finals


The NBA reboot begins Thursday night, as the clashes between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans and the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers welcome fans back to basketball after the league’s four-month hiatus. .

Will we be watching a final of the Los Angeles Western Conference? Many of our experts think so.

Meanwhile, the NBA’s best Milwaukee Bucks don’t begin their restart until Friday against the Boston Celtics (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), in a matchup of two teams capable of running in the final. How many of our experts are choosing against Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. to exit the Eastern Conference?

Let’s review the list as our experts make their predictions for the Eastern Finals, the Western Finals, and the NBA Finals.

MORE: NBA Power Rankings, plus the best and worst cases for the 22 teams


Eastern Conference Finals

Jerry Bembry: Milwaukee Bucks on Boston Celtics

Nick DePaula: Milwaukee Bucks on Miami Heat

Nick Friedell: Toronto Raptors on Milwaukee Bucks

Jonathan Givony: Toronto Raptors on Milwaukee Bucks

Andrew Han: Milwaukee Bucks on Philadelphia 76ers

Chris Herring: Milwaukee Bucks on the Toronto Raptors

Baxter Holmes: Milwaukee Bucks on Boston Celtics

Andrew Lopez: Milwaukee Bucks on Boston Celtics

Tim MacMahon: Milwaukee Bucks on the Toronto Raptors

Bobby Marks: Milwaukee Bucks on the Toronto Raptors

Kevin Pelton: Milwaukee Bucks on the Toronto Raptors

Jorge Sedano: Milwaukee Bucks on Philadelphia 76ers

Andre ‘Snellings: Milwaukee Bucks on the Toronto Raptors

Marc Spears: Toronto Raptors on Milwaukee Bucks

Eric Woodyard: Milwaukee Bucks on Boston Celtics

Royce Young: Milwaukee Bucks on Philadelphia 76ers


Final account: Milwaukee Bucks (13); Toronto Raptors (3).

Western Conference Finals

Jerry Bembry: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Nick DePaula: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Nick Friedell: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Jonathan Givony: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Andrew Han: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Chris Herring: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Baxter Holmes: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Lopez: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Tim MacMahon: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Bobby Marks: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Kevin Pelton: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Jorge Sedano: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Andre ‘Snellings: Los Angeles Lakers on Houston Rockets

Marc Spears: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers

Eric Woodyard: Los Angeles Lakers on LA Clippers

Royce Young: LA Clippers about Los Angeles Lakers


Final account: LA Clippers (9), Los Angeles Lakers (7).

NBA Finals

Jerry Bembry: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Nick DePaula: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Nick Friedell: LA Clippers on Toronto Raptors

Jonathan Givony: Toronto Raptors on Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Han: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Herring: Milwaukee Bucks on LA Clippers

Baxter Holmes: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Andrew Lopez: Milwaukee Bucks on Los Angeles Lakers

Tim MacMahon: Los Angeles Lakers on Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Marks: Milwaukee Bucks on Los Angeles Lakers

Kevin Pelton: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Jorge Sedano: Los Angeles Lakers on Milwaukee Bucks

Andre ‘Snellings: Milwaukee Bucks on Los Angeles Lakers

Marc Spears: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks

Eric Woodyard: Los Angeles Lakers on Milwaukee Bucks

Royce Young: LA Clippers on Milwaukee Bucks


Final account: LA Clippers (8), Milwaukee Bucks (4), Los Angeles Lakers (3), Toronto Raptors (1).

Jerry Bembry: Memphis Grizzlies

Nick DePaula: Portland Trail Blazers

Nick Friedell: Portland Trail Blazers

Jonathan Givony: New Orleans Pelicans

Andrew Han: Portland Trail Blazers

Chris Herring: Memphis Grizzlies

Baxter Holmes: Portland Trail Blazers

Andrew Lopez: Portland Trail Blazers

Tim MacMahon: Memphis Grizzlies

Bobby Marks: Portland Trail Blazers

Kevin Pelton: Memphis Grizzlies

Jorge Sedano: Portland Trail Blazers

Andre ‘Snellings: Portland Trail Blazers

Marc Spears: Portland Trail Blazers

Eric Woodyard: Portland Trail Blazers

Royce Young: Portland Trail Blazers


Final account: Portland Trail Blazers (11 votes), Memphis Grizzlies (4); Pelicans of New Orleans (1).

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