Experts' picks for the final playoff spots and six first-round matchups
The NBA play-in tournament concludes Friday as two teams from each conference battle for the No. 8 seeds and final spots in the playoffs.
In the West, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business Tuesday night, knocking down Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans to take the No. 7 seed and a chance to avenge last year’s playoff sweep against the Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans will now have to take on the Sacramento Kings without Williamson, who is out because of an injured left hamstring.
In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat to clinch the No. 7 seed and will take on the New York Knicks in the first round. The Heat host the Chicago Bulls in Friday’s clash but will be without Jimmy Butler after he suffered an MCL sprain in the loss in Philadelphia.
Before any of these scenarios unravel, our NBA experts are making their picks for the last set of play-in games and first-round matchups.
Note: Picks for each conference’s 1-8 matchup will be added after the play-in.
MORE: 20-team preview | Playoff news, schedules and results
Play-in tournament
Kendra Andrews: Pelicans
Jerry Bembry: Kings
Chris Herring: Kings
Tim Legler: Kings
Tim MacMahon: Kings
Bobby Marks: Kings
Dave McMenamin: Kings
Jorge Sedano: Pelicans
Ramona Shelburne: Kings
André Snellings: Kings
Marc J. Spears: Kings
Ohm Youngmisuk: Kings
Final tally: Kings 10, Pelicans 2
Kendra Andrews: Bulls
Jerry Bembry: Bulls
Chris Herring: Bulls
Tim Legler: Bulls
Tim MacMahon: Heat
Bobby Marks: Bulls
Dave McMenamin: Bulls
Ramona Shelburne: Heat
André Snellings: Bulls
Marc J. Spears: Bulls
Ohm Youngmisuk: Heat
Final tally: Bulls 8, Heat 3
Western Conference first round
Kendra Andrews: Nuggets in 5
Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 6
Chris Herring: Nuggets in 5
Tim Legler: Nuggets in 6
Tim MacMahon: Nuggets in 4
Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 6
Dave McMenamin: Nuggets in 6
Jorge Sedano: Nuggets in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 6
André Snellings: Nuggets in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 6
Final tally: Nuggets 11, Lakers 0
Kendra Andrews: Timberwolves in 6
Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves in 5
Chris Herring: Timberwolves in 7
Tim Legler: Timberwolves in 7
Tim MacMahon: Suns in 6
Bobby Marks: Suns in 6
Dave McMenamin: Suns in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Timberwolves in 7
André Snellings: Timberwolves in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Suns in 7
Final tally: Timberwolves 6, Suns 4
Kendra Andrews: Clippers in 6
Jerry Bembry: Mavericks in 6
Chris Herring: Mavericks in 6
Tim Legler: Mavericks in 6
Tim MacMahon: Mavericks in 6
Bobby Marks: Mavericks in 6
Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 7
Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Clippers in 7
André Snellings: Mavericks in 6
Final tally: Mavericks 6, Clippers 4
Eastern Conference first round
Kendra Andrews: Knicks in 7
Jerry Bembry: Knicks in 6
Chris Herring: Knicks in 6
Tim Legler: Knicks in 7
Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 7
Bobby Marks: Knicks in 5
Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 7
Jorge Sedano: Knicks in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 6
André Snellings: 76ers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7
Final tally: Knicks 10, 76ers 1
Kendra Andrews: Bucks in 7
Jerry Bembry: Pacers in 7
Chris Herring: Pacers in 5
Tim Legler: Pacers in 6
Tim MacMahon: Pacers in 6
Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Bucks in 7
Jorge Sedano: Bucks in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Bucks in 7
André Snellings: Bucks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Pacers in 7
Final tally: Pacers 6, Bucks 5
Kendra Andrews: Magic in 6
Jerry Bembry: Cavaliers in 6
Chris Herring: Magic in 6
Tim Legler: Cavaliers in 7
Tim MacMahon: Magic in 6
Bobby Marks: Cavaliers in 7
Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers in 6
Jorge Sedano: Cavaliers in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers in 7
André Snellings: Cavaliers in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Magic in 6
Final tally: Cavaliers 7, Magic 4
