NBA playoff picks – Experts on Wolves-Nuggets, Pacers-Knicks conference semifinal matchups

The NBA playoffs have reached the conference semifinals. Mostly.

As the top-seeded Boston Celtics await the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers (1 p.m. ET on ABC), three second-round series are set.

In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets will continue their title defense against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Game 1 Saturday night in Denver (7 p.m. ET on TNT). And the Dallas Mavericks, who ousted the LA Clippers on Friday, will face the host Oklahoma City Thunder beginning Tuesday.

Who will advance? Our NBA experts are making their picks for the conference semifinals.

Note: Picks for the remaining conference semifinal series will be revealed next week.

Lowe’s Wolves-Nuggets preview

East semifinals

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Kendra Andrews: Knicks in 6

Jerry Bembry: Knicks in 6

Tim Bontemps: Knicks in 5

Israel Gutierrez: Knicks in 7

Chris Herring: Knicks in 6

Tim Legler: Knicks in 7

Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 5

Bobby Marks: Knicks in 5

Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 6

Kevin Pelton: Knicks in 6

Jorge Sedano: Knicks in 6

Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 5

André Snellings: Knicks in 5

Marc J. Spears: Knicks in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7

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Final tally: Knicks 15, Pacers 0.

West semifinals

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Kendra Andrews: Nuggets in 7

Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 6

Tim Bontemps: Nuggets in 7

Israel Gutierrez: Nuggets in 7

Chris Herring: Nuggets in 7

Tim Legler: Nuggets in 7

Tim MacMahon: Nuggets in 7

Bobby Marks: Timberwolves in 6

Dave McMenamin: Nuggets in 7

Kevin Pelton: Nuggets in 7

Jorge Sedano: Nuggets in 6

Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 7

André Snellings: Timberwolves in 7

Marc J. Spears: Nuggets in 7

Ohm Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 7

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Final tally: Nuggets 13, Timberwolves 2