2026 NBA playoff picks: Experts predict the second round
The second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs is underway, with solely eight groups remaining in the postseason and set to go head-to-head for an opportunity to advance to the championship.
In the East, the No. 1 Detroit Pistons overcame a 3-1 collection deficit to the Orlando Magic and received three straight to advance. The Pistons’ Round 2 opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliersadditionally outlasted the Toronto Raptors in a Game 7 win. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers superior to face the New York Knicks.
In the West, the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thundermade it via their first matchup towards the Phoenix Suns unscathed, sweeping them in 4 video games. Oklahoma City will open its convention semifinal collection towards the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The San Antonio Spurs and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama grew to become the second crew to punch their ticket to the second round, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in 5 video games. They’ll face the Minnesota Timberwolveswho’ve been with out star Anthony Edwards since Game 4.
After an thrilling first round, our NBA specialists made their picks for every second-round collection — try which groups they picked to maneuver on to the convention finals.
Jump to:
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
Vincent Goodwill: Pistons in 7
Zach Kram: Pistons in 7
Bobby Marks: Pistons in 5
Anthony Slater: Pistons in 7
Andre Snellings: Cavaliers in 7
Marc J. Spears: Cavaliers in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk: Pistons in 7
Michael C. Wright: Pistons in 7
Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers in 7
Tim Bontemps: Pistons in 7
Final tally: Pistons 7, Cavaliers 3
New York Knicks (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Vincent Goodwill: Knicks in 6
Zach Kram: Knicks in 6
Bobby Marks: 76ers in 7
Anthony Slater: Knicks in 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 7
Marc J. Spears: Knicks in 7
Andre Snellings: 76ers in 7
Jamal Collier: Knicks in 7
Dave McMenamin: 76ers in 7
Tim Bontemps: 76ers in 6
Final tally: Knicks 7, 76ers 4
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (4)
Vincent Goodwill: Thunder in 5
Zach Kram: Thunder in 5
Bobby Marks: Thunder in 5
Anthony Slater: Thunder in 5
Marc J. Spears: Thunder in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Thunder in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Thunder in 5
Andre Snellings: Thunder in 6
Michael C. Wright: Thunder in 5
Jamal Collier: Thunder in 5
Dave McMenamin: Thunder in 7
Tim Bontemps: Thunder in 4
Final tally: Thunder 12, Lakers 0
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Vincent Goodwill: Spurs in 6
Zach Kram: Spurs in 5
Bobby Marks: Spurs in 5
Anthony Slater: Spurs in 6
Marc J. Spears: Spurs in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Spurs in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Spurs in 7
Andre Snellings: Spurs in 6
Michael C. Wright: Spurs in 6
Jamal Collier: Spurs in 6
Dave McMenamin: Spurs in 6
Tim Bontemps: Spurs in 5
Final tally: Spurs 12, Timberwolves 0