The NBA playoffs’ two remaining conference semifinals will begin Tuesday, with both top seeds in action. Should either the Boston Celtics or Oklahoma City Thunder be on upset alert?
The Cleveland Cavaliers come to Boston on the heels of a physical first-round series against the Orlando Magic. Boston, meanwhile, hasn’t played in a week. And the Dallas Mavericks, whose revamped roster ousted the LA Clippers, have another upset in mind against the untested Thunder.
How will each series play out? Our panel of NBA experts is predicting each matchup.
MORE: Experts’ picks for Knicks-Pacers, Wolves-Nuggets
East semifinals
Kendra Andrews: Celtics in 5
Jerry Bembry: Celtics in 5
Tim Bontemps: Celtics in 5
Israel Gutierrez: Celtics in 5
Chris Herring: Celtics in 5
Tim Legler: Celtics in 6
Zach Lowe: Celtics in 5
Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 5
Bobby Marks: Celtics in 5
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 6
Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 5
Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 5
Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6
André Snellings: Celtics in 6
Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 6
Final tally: Celtics 16, Cavaliers 0.
West semifinals
Kendra Andrews: Mavericks in 6
Jerry Bembry: Thunder in 6
Tim Bontemps: Thunder in 7
Israel Gutierrez: Mavericks in 6
Chris Herring: Mavericks in 7
Tim Legler: Mavericks in 6
Zach Lowe: Thunder in 7
Bobby Marks: Thunder in 7
Dave McMenamin: Mavericks in 6
Kevin Pelton: Thunder in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Thunder in 7
André Snellings: Mavericks in 7
Marc J. Spears: Thunder in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Mavericks in 7
Final tally: Mavericks 7, Thunder 7.
