The first round of the NBA Playoffs is in the books and there were some surprises with the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets being eliminated. This creates even more intrigue in our latest set of second round and NBA playoff predictions.
Let's take a look at our NBA Conference Semifinals predictions.
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (1) Oklahoma City Thunder
There's still no timeline for Luka Doncic's return, so we're assuming he won't play in the Western Conference Semifinals. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that means relying on 41-year-old LeBron James, as he averaged nearly 40 minutes per game alongside Austin Reaves against Houston. Not only do the Oklahoma City Thunder have NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the best player in basketball at the moment, but they rarely turn it over as a team (12.0, second lowest in the NBA) and they are excellent defensively. The Lakers' lack of shooting and bucket-getters will be immediately exposed in this series, and it will be over quickly.
- Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder beat Los Angeles Lakers
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Edwards' injury certainly makes this series more interesting. It now appears the Minnesota Timberwolves star will return for the Western Conference Semifinals; The only question is how effectively he will play despite the bone injury. Minnesota went 2–1 during the regular season series, but the final two matchups in January were decided by a total of 4 points. However, the Timberwolves will be without Donte DiVincenzo. All eyes will naturally be on the head-to-head battle between Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. Given the ridiculous level at which Wembanyama is playing on both ends of the court, we're rooting for San Antonio to win with his star power and depth.
- Prediction San Antonio Spurs won six games
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (1) Detroit Pistons
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons both barely survived the first round, so there should be no rest vs. rust debate for the Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. What Cleveland brings to the table is the All-Star guard tandem of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, each of whom is capable of taking over a game. However, there are two issues for the Cavaliers. First, Detroit can bring defensive intensity and offensive scheme to both Mitchell and Harden. More importantly, while Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are very good veterans, Pistons centers Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart bring far more physicality. We don't think Cleveland has the toughness or consistency to win this series.
- Prediction: Detroit Pistons advance in six games
(7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (3) New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are probably the best team left in the Eastern Conference. That said, the Philadelphia 76ers are playing underdogs and there's nothing Joel Embiid would love more than to eliminate the Knicks to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. Where New York may run into a little trouble is the fact that Embiid may be a stopper against Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges isn't bringing anything offensively. Philadelphia could pull off another upset if everyone stays healthy, but it's far from certain and New York has better answers for Embiid than Boston. Ultimately, the deeper and more defensive-minded team advances.
- Prediction: New York won seven matches
