Experts predict Celtics-Pacers, Wolves-Mavs conference finals and series MVPs
The NBA’s conference finals are here. Which of the league’s final four teams will be playing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy next month?
The top-seeded Boston Celtics remain the title favorites despite the uncertain status of big man Kristaps Porzingis, who hasn’t played since April 29 because of a calf strain. Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday that Porzingis is expected to miss at least the first two games of the series against the Indiana Pacers.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, enter their series on the heels of knocking off the top two seeds in the Western Conference.
Who will advance to the Finals? Ahead of Game 1 between the Celtics and Pacers (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), our NBA experts are predicting each conference finals showdown, including which superstars could take home each series’ MVP honors.
MORE: Playoff schedules and news | Top 12 players through two rounds 
East finals
Kendra Andrews: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Jerry Bembry: Pacers in 7 | Series MVP: Tyrese Haliburton
Tim Bontemps: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Israel Gutierrez: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Derrick White
Chris Herring: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Derrick White
Tim Legler: Celtics in 7 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jrue Holiday
Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6 | Series MVP: Pascal Siakam
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown
Omar Raja: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown
Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
André Snellings: Celtics in 7 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum
Final tally
Winner: Celtics 14, Pacers 2.
Series MVP: Jayson Tatum 9, Jaylen Brown 2, Derrick White 2, Tyrese Haliburton 1, Jrue Holiday 1, Pascal Siakam 1.
West finals
Kendra Andrews: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Tim Bontemps: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Israel Gutierrez: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Chris Herring: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Tim Legler: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Bobby Marks: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Kyrie Irving
Dave McMenamin: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Jaden McDaniels
Kevin Pelton: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Omar Raja: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Jorge Sedano: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Ramona Shelburne: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
André Snellings: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Marc J. Spears: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards
Ohm Youngmisuk: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Final tally
Winner: Timberwolves 9, Mavericks 6.
Series MVP: Anthony Edwards 8, Luka Doncic 5, Kyrie Irving 1, Jaden McDaniels 1.
