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NBA Playoffs 2020: Experts' picks for Clippers-Nuggets and Lakers-Rockets in the West semis

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Do the Nuggets stand a chance against the Clippers? (1:26)

Kendrick Perkins explains how the Nuggets can create matchup problems for the Clippers. (1:26)

After two thrilling Game 7s to finish the first round of the NBA playoffs, we finally have our Western Conference semifinals set: LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets.

Are the L.A. rivals on a collision course for the West finals, or are they in for a surprise in the NBA bubble?

Here is who our NBA experts are picking for Clippers-Nuggets and Lakers-Rockets in the West and Bucks-Heat and Raptors-Celtics in the East.

Note: Experts' picks for Bucks-Heat and Raptors-Celtics were posted before each Eastern Conference semifinal series.


Western Conference semifinals

LA Clippers (2) vs. Denver Nuggets (3)

Jerry Bembry: Clippers in 6

Nick DePaula: Clippers in 6

Nick Friedell: Clippers in 5

Kirk Goldsberry: Clippers in 4

Andrew Han: Clippers in 6

Chris Herring: Clippers in 6

Andrew Lopez: Clippers in 6

Zach Lowe: Clippers in 5

Tim MacMahon: Clippers in 5

Bobby Marks: Clippers in 5

Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 5

Kevin Pelton: Clippers in 5

Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 5

Ramona Shelburne: Clippers in 6

Andre' Snellings: Clippers in 6

Marc J. Spears: Clippers in 6

Jesse Washington: Clippers in 5

Eric Woodyard: Clippers in 5

Royce Young: Clippers in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Clippers in 6


Final tally: Clippers (19).


Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Houston Rockets (4)

Jerry Bembry: Lakers in 6

Nick DePaula: Lakers in 6

Nick Friedell: Lakers in 7

Kirk Goldsberry: Lakers in 6

Andrew Han: Lakers in 6

Andrew Lopez: Lakers in 6

Zach Lowe: Lakers in 6

Tim MacMahon: Lakers in 7

Bobby Marks: Lakers in 5

Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 7

Kevin Pelton: Lakers in 6

Jorge Sedano: Lakers in 6

Ramona Shelburne: Lakers in 6

Andre' Snellings: Lakers in 7

Marc J. Spears: Lakers in 5

Jesse Washington: Lakers in 5

Eric Woodyard: Lakers in 6

Royce Young: Lakers in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers in 6


Final tally: Lakers (20).

Eastern Conference semifinals

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Miami Heat (5)

Jerry Bembry: Bucks in 7

Nick DePaula: Heat in 6

Nick Friedell: Heat in 6

Kirk Goldsberry: Bucks in 7

Andrew Han: Heat in 7

Chris Herring: Bucks in 6

Andrew Lopez: Bucks in 6

Zach Lowe: Bucks in 7

Tim MacMahon: Bucks in 6

Bobby Marks: Heat in 7

Dave McMenamin: Heat in 7

Kevin Pelton: Bucks in 6

Jorge Sedano: Heat in 7

Ramona Shelburne: Heat in 7

Andre' Snellings: Bucks in 5

Eric Woodyard: Bucks in 7

Royce Young: Bucks in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks in 7


Final tally: Bucks (11), Heat (7).


Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Boston Celtics (3)

Jerry Bembry: Celtics in 7

Nick DePaula: Celtics in 7

Nick Friedell: Raptors in 6

Andrew Han: Raptors in 6

Chris Herring: Celtics in 7

Andrew Lopez: Raptors in 7

Zach Lowe: Celtics in 7

Tim MacMahon: Raptors in 6

Bobby Marks: Raptors in 5

Dave McMenamin: Raptors in 7

Kevin Pelton: Raptors in 7

Jorge Sedano: Raptors in 7

Ramona Shelburne: Raptors in 6

Andre' Snellings: Raptors in 7

Marc Spears: Raptors in 7

Eric Woodyard: Celtics in 6

Royce Young: Raptors in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Raptors in 7


Final tally: Raptors (13), Celtics (5).