NBA playoff experts’ picks: Predicting the No. 8 seeds and first-round matchups

The NBA play-in tournament concludes Friday as two teams from each conference battle for the No. 8 seeds and final spots in the playoffs.

In the West, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took care of business Tuesday night, knocking down Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans to take the No. 7 seed and a chance to avenge last year’s playoff sweep against the Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans will now have to take on the Sacramento Kings without Williamson, who is out because of an injured left hamstring.

In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Miami Heat to clinch the No. 7 seed and will take on the New York Knicks in the first round. The Heat host the Chicago Bulls in Friday’s clash but will be without Jimmy Butler after he suffered an MCL sprain in the loss in Philadelphia.

Before any of these scenarios unravel, our NBA experts are making their picks for the last set of play-in games and first-round matchups.

Note: Picks for each conference’s 1-8 matchup will be added after the play-in.

MORE: 20-team preview | Playoff news, schedules and results

Play-in tournament

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Sacramento Kings (9) at New Orleans Pelicans (8)

Kendra Andrews: Pelicans

Jerry Bembry: Kings

Chris Herring: Kings

Tim Legler: Kings

Tim MacMahon: Kings

Bobby Marks: Kings

Dave McMenamin: Kings

Jorge Sedano: Pelicans

Ramona Shelburne: Kings

André Snellings: Kings

Marc J. Spears: Kings

Ohm Youngmisuk: Kings

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Final tally: Kings 10, Pelicans 2

Chicago Bulls (9) at Miami Heat (8)

Kendra Andrews: Bulls

Jerry Bembry: Bulls

Chris Herring: Bulls

Tim Legler: Bulls

Tim MacMahon: Heat

Bobby Marks: Bulls

Dave McMenamin: Bulls

Ramona Shelburne: Heat

André Snellings: Bulls

Marc J. Spears: Bulls

Ohm Youngmisuk: Heat

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Final tally: Bulls 8, Heat 3

Western Conference first round

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Los Angeles Lakers (7) at Denver Nuggets (2)

Kendra Andrews: Nuggets in 5

Jerry Bembry: Nuggets in 6

Chris Herring: Nuggets in 5

Tim Legler: Nuggets in 6

Tim MacMahon: Nuggets in 4

Bobby Marks: Nuggets in 6

Dave McMenamin: Nuggets in 6

Jorge Sedano: Nuggets in 6

Ramona Shelburne: Nuggets in 6

André Snellings: Nuggets in 7

Ohm Youngmisuk: Nuggets in 6

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Final tally: Nuggets 11, Lakers 0

Phoenix Suns (6) at Minnesota Timberwolves (3)

Kendra Andrews: Timberwolves in 6

Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves in 5

Chris Herring: Timberwolves in 7

Tim Legler: Timberwolves in 7

Tim MacMahon: Suns in 6

Bobby Marks: Suns in 6

Dave McMenamin: Suns in 6

Ramona Shelburne: Timberwolves in 7

André Snellings: Timberwolves in 7

Ohm Youngmisuk: Suns in 7

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Final tally: Timberwolves 6, Suns 4

Dallas Mavericks (5) at LA Clippers (4)

Kendra Andrews: Clippers in 6

Jerry Bembry: Mavericks in 6

Chris Herring: Mavericks in 6

Tim Legler: Mavericks in 6

Tim MacMahon: Mavericks in 6

Bobby Marks: Mavericks in 6

Dave McMenamin: Clippers in 7

Jorge Sedano: Clippers in 7

Ramona Shelburne: Clippers in 7

André Snellings: Mavericks in 6

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Final tally: Mavericks 6, Clippers 4

Eastern Conference first round

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Philadelphia 76ers (7) at New York Knicks (2)

Kendra Andrews: Knicks in 7

Jerry Bembry: Knicks in 6

Chris Herring: Knicks in 6

Tim Legler: Knicks in 7

Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 7

Bobby Marks: Knicks in 5

Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 7

Jorge Sedano: Knicks in 7

Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 6

André Snellings: 76ers in 6

Ohm Youngmisuk: Knicks in 7

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Final tally: Knicks 10, 76ers 1

Indiana Pacers (6) at Milwaukee Bucks (3)

Kendra Andrews: Bucks in 7

Jerry Bembry: Pacers in 7

Chris Herring: Pacers in 5

Tim Legler: Pacers in 6

Tim MacMahon: Pacers in 6

Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6

Dave McMenamin: Bucks in 7