2020 NBA playoff predictions: First round, Finals picks and Finals MVP

LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) protects the ball from Toronto Raptors centre Marc Gasol (33) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. (Nathan Denette/CP)

The 2020 NBA playoffs are – at long last – about to tipoff.

Starting with a full slate of four games Monday, including the defending champion Toronto Raptors getting things going against the Brooklyn Nets at 4:00 p.m. ET on Sportsnet, we’re about to enter a near-two month period of non-stop post-season NBA action.

To help kick things off Sportsnet polled some of its NBA experts to give their predictions on the opening round’s matchups as well as early picks for the league’s finalists, it’s eventual champion and who will win Finals MVP.

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First Round Predictions

Eastern Conference

vs.
Donnovan Bennett, Staff writer and digital host: Bucks in four.
JD Bunkis, Good Show and Free Association host: Bucks in four.
Brad Fay, Host of Sportsnet’s Raptors television broadcasts: Bucks in four.
Michael Grange, Senior basketball insider: Bucks in four.
Steven Loung, NBA editor: Bucks in four.

vs.
Bennett: Raptors in four.
Bunkis: Raptors in four.
Fay: Raptors in four.
Grange: Raptors in five.
Loung: Raptors in four.

vs.
Bennett: Celtics in five.
Bunkis: Celtics in five.
Fay: Celtics in six.
Grange: Celtics in six.
Loung: Celtics in six.

vs.
Bennett: Heat in seven.
Bunkis: Heat in six.
Fay: Heat in seven.
Grange: Heat in six.
Loung: Heat in six.

Western Conference

vs.
Bennett: Lakers in five.
Bunkis: Lakers in six.
Fay: Lakers in six.
Grange: Trail Blazers in six.
Loung: Trail Blazers in seven.

vs.
Bennett: Clippers in four.
Bunkis: Clippers in five.
Fay: Clippers in six.
Grange: Clippers in six.
Loung: Clippers in six.

vs.
Bennett: Nuggets in six.
Bunkis: Nuggets in five.
Fay: Jazz in six.
Grange: Nuggets in five.
Loung: Nuggets in five.

vs.
Bennett: Rockets in seven.
Bunkis: Rockets in seven.
Fay: Rockets in six.
Grange: Thunder in six.
Loung: Thunder in seven.

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What teams will make the NBA Finals?

Bennett: Raptors and Clippers.
Bunkis: Raptors and Clippers.
Fay: Raptors and Clippers.
Grange: Raptors and Clippers.
Loung: Raptors and Clippers.

What team will win it all this year? Who will win Finals MVP?

Bennett: Raptors in seven. Kyle Lowry.
Bunkis: Clippers in six. Kawhi Leonard.
Fay: Flip a coin who wins (yes, I’m copping out).
Grange: Clippers in six. Kawhi Leonard.
Loung: Raptors in seven. Kyle Lowry.

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