As the most surprising post season in recent NBA history continues, can two play-in tournament teams shock the basketball world again in the Conference Finals?
Los Angeles Lakers And Miami HeatThe No. 7 and No. 8 seeds, respectively, came into the second round with impressive six-game series wins. The Lakers swept the defending champion Golden State Warriors behind the elite sport Lebron James And Anthony Daviswhile the heat rode on the playoff heroes Jimmy Butler against new York Knicks,
But things are about to get tough.
L.A. faces two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and top rated denver nuggets – Game 1 is Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) – as second-seeded Miami meets a familiar foe Boston Celtics In a rematch of last season’s thrilling seven-game Eastern Conference Finals.
Who will reach the finals? Our NBA experts make their predictions.
Note: The experts’ picks for the Celtics-Heat series will be unveiled Tuesday.
More: Conf. Finals Schedule and News , offseason guide
Western Conference Finals
Kendra Andrews: Nuggets in 6
Jerry Bembrey: Nuggets in 7
Omar King: Nuggets in 7
Nick DePaula: Nuggets in 6
Nick Friedel: Nuggets in 7
Israel Gutierrez: Lakers in 7
Tim Legler: Nuggets in 7
Andrew Lopez: Nuggets in 6
Tim McMahon: Nuggets in 7
Bobby Marx: Nuggets in 7
Dave McMenamin: Lakers in 6
Kevin Pelton: Nuggets in 7
Omar King: Lakers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Lakers in 6
andre snellingsLakers in :7
Mark Spears: Lakers in 7
Om Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 7
Final tally: Nuggets 11, Lakers 6.
