lakers-lillard-lebron.jpg

After nearly a five-month hiatus and eight seeding games inside an unprecedented Disney World bubble, the most unique NBA playoff season in history is set to commence. No fans. No home-court advantage. Nothing but basketball in its purest form, and this year's title race feel wide open in history. 

After the way Damian Lillard and the Blazers rolled through the eight seeding games and a play-in game vs. Memphis, they have been a hot upset pick against the top-seeded Lakers. But our expert unanimously disagree. Nobody picked the Blazers to get past LeBron James and Co., though they might just make things difficult. 

But we do have some disagreement in other series. Below is how the bracket lays out, followed by our first-round expert picks for every series. To see their predictions for the entire postseason, click here.

nba-playoffs-bracket.png

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 4

In 4

In 4

In 4

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 4

In 4

In 4

In 4

No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 4

In 5

In 5

In 4

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 4

In 4

In 5

In 4

No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 5

In 7

In 7

In 5

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 5

In 6

In 6

In 6

No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Miami Heat


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 6

In 6

In 6

In 6

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 6

In 7

In 7

In 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 6

In 5

In 6

In 5

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 6

In 5

In 6

In 4

No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 6

In 5

In 6

In 5

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 6

In 6

In 6

In 6

No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 5

In 5

In 6

In 7

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 5

In 6

In 6

In 6

No. 4 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Oklahoma City Thunder


player headshot
Bill Reiter
player headshot
Sam Quinn
player headshot
Brad Botkin
player headshot
James Herbert
Picks
In 6

In 6

In 7

In 6

player headshot
Colin Ward-Henninger
player headshot
Jack Maloney
player headshot
Michael Kaskey-Blomain
player headshot
Jasmyn Wimbish
Picks
In 7

In 6

In 6

In 6