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NBA Playoffs 2020: Experts' predictions for every opening-round series

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Are the Bucks losing their defensive identity? (1:51)

Kendrick Perkins cites the Bucks' poor defense as why they have been the most disappointing team in the NBA bubble. (1:51)

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).