Predicting the conference finals: Celtics-Pacers, Wolves-Mavs and series MVPs

NBA

The NBA’s conference finals are here. Which of the league’s final four teams will be playing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy next month?

The top-seeded Boston Celtics remain the title favorites despite the uncertain status of big man Kristaps Porzingis, who hasn’t played since April 29 because of a calf strain. Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday that Porzingis is expected to miss at least the first two games of the series against the Indiana Pacers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, enter their series on the heels of knocking off the top two seeds in the Western Conference.

Who will advance to the Finals? Ahead of Game 1 between the Celtics and Pacers (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), our NBA experts are predicting each conference finals showdown, including which superstars could take home each series’ MVP honors.

MORE: Playoff schedules and news | Top 12 players through two rounds

East finals


Kendra Andrews: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Jerry Bembry: Pacers in 7 | Series MVP: Tyrese Haliburton

Tim Bontemps: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Israel Gutierrez: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Derrick White

Chris Herring: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Derrick White

Tim Legler: Celtics in 7 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jrue Holiday

Bobby Marks: Pacers in 6 | Series MVP: Pascal Siakam

Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Kevin Pelton: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown

Omar Raja: Celtics in 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown

Jorge Sedano: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Ramona Shelburne: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

André Snellings: Celtics in 7 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum


Final tally
Winner: Celtics 14, Pacers 2.
Series MVP: Jayson Tatum 9, Jaylen Brown 2, Derrick White 2, Tyrese Haliburton 1, Jrue Holiday 1, Pascal Siakam 1.

West finals


Kendra Andrews: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Tim Bontemps: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

Israel Gutierrez: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

Chris Herring: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

Tim Legler: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

Bobby Marks: Mavericks in 6 | Series MVP: Kyrie Irving

Dave McMenamin: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Jaden McDaniels

Kevin Pelton: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Omar Raja: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Jorge Sedano: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Ramona Shelburne: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

André Snellings: Timberwolves in 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Marc J. Spears: Timberwolves in 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Ohm Youngmisuk: Mavericks in 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic


Final tally
Winner: Timberwolves 9, Mavericks 6.
Series MVP: Anthony Edwards 8, Luka Doncic 5, Kyrie Irving 1, Jaden McDaniels 1.

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