The 2026 NBA postseason continues as the Orlando Magic have officially claimed the No. 8 seed in the East and are set to face the No. 1 Detroit Pistons in the first round. The No. 8 seed in the West and the last spot in the playoffs were claimed by the Phoenix Suns. They will face the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, who are the favorites to defend their title from last season.
Check out which teams our NBA experts picked for for every first-round series.
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Eastern Conference
Western Conference

Eastern Conference first round
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Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Jamal Collier: Pistons in 5
Zach Kram: Pistons in 6
Anthony Slater: Pistons in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Pistons in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Pistons in 5
Bobby Marks: Pistons in 5
Final tally: Pistons 6, Magic 0
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Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Jamal Collier: Celtics in 5
Vincent Goodwill: Celtics in 5
Zach Kram: Celtics in 5
Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 5
Bobby Marks: Celtics in 6
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 6
Anthony Slater: Celtics in 6
Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6
Final tally: Celtics 10, 76ers 0
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New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6)
Jerry Bembry: Knicks in 6
Jamal Collier: Knicks in 5
Vincent Goodwill: Knicks in 6
Baxter Holmes: Knicks in 6
Zach Kram: Knicks in 7
Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 6
Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 6
Eric Moody: Knicks in 6
Anthony Slater: Knicks in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 5
Marc J. Spears: Knicks in 6
Michael C. Wright: Knicks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 6
Bobby Marks: Knicks in 6
Final tally: Knicks 14, Hawks 0
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Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5)
Jerry Bembry: Cavaliers in 6
Jamal Colliers: Cavaliers in 5
Vincent Goodwill: Cavaliers in 7
Baxter Holmes: Cavaliers in 6
Zach Kram: Cavaliers in 5
Tim MacMahon: Cavaliers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers in 6
Eric Moody: Cavaliers in 5
Anthony Slater: Cavaliers in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers in 6
Marc J. Spears: Cavaliers in 6
Michael C. Wright: Cavaliers in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Cavaliers in 6
Bobby Marks: Cavaliers in 5
Final tally: Cavaliers 14, Raptors 0

Western Conference first round
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Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (8)
Jamal Collier: Thunder in 4
Zach Kram: Thunder in 4
Anthony Slater: Thunder in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Thunder in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Thunder in 5
Bobby Marks: Thunder in 4
Dave McMenamin: Thunder in 5
Final tally: Thunder 7, Suns 0
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San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7)
Jamal Collier: Spurs in 4
Vincent Goodwill: Spurs in 5
Zach Kram: Spurs in 4
Tim MacMahon: Spurs in 6
Bobby Marks: Spurs in 5
Dave McMenamin: Spurs in 5
Anthony Slater: Spurs in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Spurs in 7
Marc J. Spears: Spurs in 5
Michael C. Wright: Spurs in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Spurs in 4
Final tally: Spurs 11, Trail Blazers 0
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Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 7
Jamal Collier: Nuggets in 7
Vincent Goodwill: Nuggets in 7
Baxter Holmes: Nuggets in 6
Zach Kram: Nuggets in 5
Tim MacMahon: Nuggets in 7
Dave McMenamin: Nuggets in 7
Eric Moody: Nuggets in 6
Anthony Slater: Nuggets in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 5
Marc J. Spears: Nuggets in 6
Michael C. Wright: Nuggets in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 7
Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 6
Final tally: Nuggets 14, Timberwolves 0
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Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5)
Jerry Bembry: Rockets in 7
Jamal Collier: Rockets in 7
Vincent Goodwill: Rockets in 5
Baxter Holmes: Rockets in 6
Zach Kram: Rockets in 6
Tim MacMahon: Rockets in 6
Dave McMenamin: Rockets in 6
Eric Moody: Rockets in 5
Anthony Slater: Rockets in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Rockets in 6
Marc J. Spears: Rockets in 6
Michael C. Wright: Rockets in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Rockets in 7
Bobby Marks: Rockets in 6
Final tally: Rockets 14, Lakers 0
