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So far, NBA Eastern Conference first round series are happening the way most handicappers expected. Milwaukee, like they did during the regular season, is dominating the Chicago Bulls. The Heat are taking it to the 8-seed Hawks and Philadelphia is blasting Toronto. But in the Western Conference, things are far from certain. Check out previews and predictions for the NBA Playoffs second round so you can start planning your bets against the NBA Playoffs Odds.

NBA Playoffs Second Round Preview & Predictions After Weekend Games

2022 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals

Start Date: Monday, May 2

Eastern Conference Preview & Predictions

1-Miami Heat vs 4-Philadelphia 76ers

Jimmy Butler is on a mission. He scored 36 points in the Heat’s 110-86 Game 4 victory against the Hawks.

If not for Trae Young’s Game 3 heroics, Miami and Atlanta wouldn’t be playing in a Game 5. Same goes for the Sixers, who failed to sweep the Raptors in their Game 4 loss.

No worries. Heat versus 76ers is a sure thing. In a series between Philly and South Beach, Miami wins.

Embiid is great, but Big Joel and Jimmy Butler play different positions. Embiid will have his hands full versus Bam Adebayo. Like in most games, Philadelphia doesn’t have a defensive stopper to contain Butler. JB and the Heat win this in 6.

Heat vs 76ers Prediction: Miami wins 4-2

3-Milwaukee Bucks vs 2-Boston Celtics

Although Khris Middleton is injured, the Bucks have dominated the Bulls. The reason? Chicago is a bad matchup.

Boston won’t be. The Celtics have shown they play defense as well as Miami. The Cs have shut down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. So there’s no reason to believe Boston won’t at least contain Giannis.

Still, Milwaukee is the defending champs. So expect the Bucks to push Boston to seven games. At the end, the Celtics knock out Antetokounmpo and his mates.

Bucks vs. Celtics Prediction: Boston wins 4-3

Western Conference Preview & Predictions

1-Phoenix Suns vs 4-Dallas Mavericks

New Orleans tied Phoenix with a scintillating Game 4 victory, which should throw up red flags for Phoenix and their fans. There is one thing about the Pelicans versus Suns first round series, though, that we should mention.

Suns’ coach Monty Williams pointed out that in Phoenix’s Game 4 loss, New Orleans shot 42 free throws to the Suns’ 15. The disparity is something the NBA should most definitely take a look. There’s no way one team should shoot close to 30 more free throws in a game.

In any case, Phoenix will rally and overtake the Pels. The Mavericks should be up 3-1 over Utah heading into their Game 5. Dallas isn’t because Dwight Powell missed two free throws late in the game.

The Mavs are better than Utah. They aren’t better than Phoenix. Also, the Suns should get Devin Booker back for this series. Suns win in 6.

Suns vs Mavericks Prediction: Phoenix wins 4-2

3-Golden State Warriors vs 2-Memphis Grizzlies

Warriors versus Grizzlies should be tough. It may not happen because although Golden State is a lock to close the door on Denver, Memphis is tied 2-2 with Minnesota.

Still, we must believe Ja Morant and his mates get it done versus Karl-Anthony Towns and his buddies. The good news if you’re a Grizzlies fan is that if Morant leads Memphis to the conference semifinals versus Golden State, we should expect a seriously competitive series.

A lot of the trouble Memphis is having with Minnesota is due to their inexperience. If they win the series versus Minnesota, Memphis should have some momentum and a belief they can beat Steph and the Warriors.

The Grizzlies will have home court in this series. No offense to Curry, but Morant will be the best player on the court. Memphis ekes out a 7-game series victory.

Warriors vs Grizzlies Prediction: Memphis wins 4-3