After an exciting finish to the NBA Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs are finally here.
The Nets and Timberwolves earned the No. 7 seeds with victories in their Play-In Tournament openers, and the Hawks and Pelicans captured the No. 8 seeds on Friday night. The NBA Playoff bracket has been finalized, setting the stage for what should be a fantastic postseason run.
Which teams will advance beyond the first round? And which contenders could be on upset alert?
The Sporting News staff is here to break down each series and offer expert predictions.
MORE: Why Nikola Jokic is SN's NBA Player of the Year
NBA Playoff bracket 2022
Here are the first-round matchups in each conference:
Eastern Conference
(1) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Nets
(3) Bucks vs. (6) Bulls
(4) 76ers vs. (5) Raptors
Western Conference
(1) Suns vs. (8) Pelicans
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Timberwolves
(3) Warriors vs. (6) Nuggets
(4) Mavericks vs. (5) Jazz
NBA Playoff predictions: Eastern Conference
(1) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
One stat to know: The Heat are one of the best defensive teams in the entire league.
Miami has the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA at 108.4 and is also third in the NBA in points allowed. Led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Bam Adebayo, Miami's defense can be smothering at times, as the Heat switch on what seems like almost every action.
— Nick Metallinos
Odds (via DraftKings): Heat -370, Hawks +300
Metallinos' prediction: Heat win, 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 17 | Game 1 | 1 p.m. | TNT |
| April 19 | Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 22 | Game 3 | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 24 | Game 4 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| April 26 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 28 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Nets
The key storyline: After a slow start to the season, Boston morphed into a defensive powerhouse, smothering teams with its length, speed, versatility and toughness.
"It's [Celtics defense] suffocating [our opponents] at times, with our size and versatility," Celtics coach Ime Udoka said in February. "We've got big wings, our bigs, and obviously a pitbull [Marcus Smart] for a point guard. There's no real weakness out there, nobody to pick on, which is the case with other teams sometimes."
Defense is just not part of Brooklyn's DNA. The Nets' plan is to simply outscore their opponents.
And while that strategy can be successful at times, the Nets may not be able to score at will against the Celtics.
— Ananth Pandian
Odds (via DraftKings): Celtics -130, Nets +110
Pandian's prediction: Celtics win, 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 17 | Game 1 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| April 20 | Game 2 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| April 23 | Game 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 25 | Game 4 | TBD | TBD |
| April 27 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 29 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
(3) Bucks vs. (6) Bulls
The key storyline: It's been a struggle for the Bulls since the All-Star break. Not only did they finish the regular season with an 8-15 record, but the only teams that had a worse net rating during that stretch were the tanking Thunder and Trail Blazers.
Injuries played a role in that. Most notably, the Bulls have been without starting point guard Lonzo Ball since Jan. 15 after he tore his meniscus in his left knee. Following a setback, he's been ruled out for the season.
After stumbling their way into the playoffs, the Bulls will now face the defending champions in the first round.
— Scott Rafferty
Odds (via DraftKings): Bucks -1200, Bulls +700
Rafferty's prediction: Bucks win, 4-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 17 | Game 1 | 6:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 20 | Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 22 | Game 3 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| April 24 | Game 4 | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| April 27 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 29 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
(4) 76ers vs. (5) Raptors
The key player: No surprises here: Joel Embiid is the best player in the series.
Averaging 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, Embiid will likely be a finalist for MVP for the second straight season. He might even win the award. It's been a season full of uncertainty for the 76ers, but Embiid's play has powered them to a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.
With his bruising post game and improved jump shot, Embiid's graduated to the point where there isn't really an answer for him anymore, but the Raptors do have a history of defending him well.
— Scott Rafferty
Odds (via DraftKings): 76ers -180, Raptors +150
Rafferty's prediction: Raptors win, 4-3
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 16 | Game 1 | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 18 | Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 20 | Game 3 | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 23 | Game 4 | 2 p.m. | TNT |
| April 25 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 28 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
NBA Playoff predictions: Western Conference
(1) Suns vs. (8) Pelicans
One stat to know: The Suns were at their best when it mattered most this season.
According to NBA.com, 42 of Phoenix's games were decided in the clutch (last five minutes of a five-point game). Its record in those situations? 33-9. It's the best winning percentage a team has posted in those situations since the 2015-16 Warriors, who set a single-season NBA record with 73 wins.
The leaders of Phoenix's crunch-time heroics were — who else? — Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
— Scott Rafferty
Odds (via DraftKings): Suns -2500, Pelicans +1000
Rafferty's prediction: Suns win, 4-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 17 | Game 1 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| April 19 | Game 2 | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 22 | Game 3 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 24 | Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 26 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 28 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Timberwolves
The key storyline: Lightning quick and almost impossible to guard, Ja Morant is a defender's worst nightmare.
He can knife through an entire defense, breaking down perimeter defenders with an Allen Iverson-like crossover, and then zoom down the lane for a devastating attack on the rim. He is a true must-watch player, who at any given moment could legitimately make you jump out of your seat with OMG-eliciting plays.
Clearly, the Timberwolves will have their hands full trying to stop Morant from getting into the paint.
— Ananth Pandian
Odds (via DraftKings): Grizzlies -330, Timberwolves +260
Pandian's prediction: Grizzlies win, 4-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 16 | Game 1 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 19 | Game 2 | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 21 | Game 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 23 | Game 4 | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 26 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 29 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
(3) Warriors vs. (6) Nuggets
The key player: Nikola Jokic is on another level.
Jokic made quite the case to repeat as MVP this season with averages of 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game, including splits of 28.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists over four games against the Warriors.
With an undefeated first-round record (3-0), Jokic always elevates his game in the postseason. The same should hold true against the Warriors this year.
— Gilbert McGregor
Odds (via DraftKings): Warriors -250, Nuggets +210
McGregor's prediction: Warriors win, 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 16 | Game 1 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| April 18 | Game 2 | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 21 | Game 3 | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| April 24 | Game 4 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| April 27 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 29 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 1 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
(4) Mavericks vs. (5) Jazz
The key player: Luka Doncic. And the entire series hinges on his health.
Like his team, Doncic came on strong as the season progressed, averaging 29.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.9 assists since Dec. 31, but that momentum came to a screeching halt when he hobbled off the floor in Dallas' regular season finale.
Doncic's calf injury has caused Mavs fans to hold their breath.
— Gilbert McGregor
Odds (via DraftKings): Jazz -300, Mavericks +230
McGregor's prediction: Jazz win, 4-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | National TV (US) |
| April 16 | Game 1 | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 18 | Game 2 | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 21 | Game 3 | 9 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 23 | Game 4 | 4:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 25 | Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| April 28 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | TBD | TNT |
*if necessary
NBA championship odds 2022
| Team | Odds (via DraftKings) |
|---|---|
| Suns | +255 |
| Bucks | +475 |
| Nets | +600 |
| Celtics | +850 |
| Warriors | +850 |
| Heat | +1000 |
| Grizzlies | +1300 |
| 76ers | +1400 |
| Jazz | +2200 |
| Nuggets | +3500 |
| Mavericks | +4000 |
| Timberwolves | +7000 |
| Raptors | +8000 |
| Pelicans | +12000 |
| Hawks | +12000 |
| Bulls | +12000 |
NBA Finals picks 2022
Eastern Conference champion: Bucks
Western Conference champion: Suns
NBA Finals: Suns win, 4-2
NBA Finals MVP: Devin Booker
— Jordan Greer
