The NBA playoffs are underway, with eight first-round series across the Western and Eastern Conferences in the midst of battle. While there’s still plenty to unfold around the league, some tantalizing second round series could be looming just around the corner.

Before the first round develops too much further, let’s take a look at the playoff picture with NBA playoff second round predictions.

NBA Playoffs – Second Round Predictions

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers were untroubled by the Miami Heat as they opened the series at home and took a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Even as the series heads down to South Beach, and the Miami Heat get their pair of home games, it’s difficult to see this series going long — never mind the Heat actually challenging the Cavs. Cleveland should handle its business relatively quickly and move on to the second round.

Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers

Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic

Like the top seeded Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics went 2-0 on their home floor and will now head to Florida with the edge as the Orlando Magic take to their home court.

Even with Jayson Tatum injured and several other key pieces banged up, Boston has been untroubled by the Magic. With few ways to produce offense at an even passable level, the Magic simply don’t have the necessary threats to push such a great team. Like the Cavs, expect the C’s to move on to the second round quickly.

Winner: Boston Celtics

New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons

The three vs. six in the Eastern Conference has been a fight, with the Detroit Pistons stealing home-court advantage in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, only for the New York Knicks to take it back in a Game 3 win in Michigan.

Up 2-1, the Knicks will no doubt face further challenges from a feisty Pistons team. Talent wins out, however, and the Knicks have a considerable edge in talent over Detroit. Six or seven games may loom, but expect New York to move on.

Winner: New York Knicks

Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

A contentious series between two teams with no love lost, the Indiana Pacers won both their home games to open the series and take a 2-0 series lead to Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks’ backs are up against the wall, and they’re yet to get meaningful contributions beyond Giannis.

While the Bucks will likely win at least one game, whether it’s from good shooting or a hot match from someone beyond Giannis, there is little competitiveness to expect beyond that. Indiana has been the better team all year, and it will move on.

Winner: Indiana Pacers

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

For a brief moment — or a full half — in the Memphis Grizzlies’ return home in game three, it looked like they would make a decent series out of it. A hideous crumble followed, and now down 3-0 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s just a question of whether the Grizz can salvage a game.

There is no mystery here: the Thunder will eliminate Memphis and move on to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors were victorious as they opened their series against the Houston Rockets in Texas, with a Game 1 win enough for the Dubs to take home-court advantage back to the Bay Area.

While the Rockets will no doubt respond and could easily take a game in San Francisco, it’s still an advantage for Golden State. Houston just doesn’t have the necessary firepower, offensively, to compete with the Warriors in a seven-game series. A 37-point outburst from Jalen Green helped power them to a win in game two, but that is the exception, not the norm.

Winner: Golden State Warriors

(3) L.A. Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Like the Golden State Warriors, the lower seeded Minnesota Timberwolves succeeded in taking home court advantage over their first two games. Now, the L.A. Lakers have to head to the Midwest and try to swing it back in their direction — a tough test after middling performances in games one and two.

Even in the Lakers’ win, in game two, they didn’t play particularly well — the Wolves just played poorly. Barring a heroic string of performances from Luka Doncic or Lebron James, it’s hard to see how L.A. can outdo a team with a superior defense and a more complete, deep offensive rotation.

As scary as it is to discount Doncic and Lebron, especially in the playoffs, the Timberwolves should move on to the second round after a six or seven game fight with the Lakers.

Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) L.A. Clippers

In what has been an excellent series so far, the L.A. Clippers have to be feeling good. To start the series, the Clips went in to the tough environment of altitude in Colorado and took home court advantage away from the Denver Nuggets.

Then, as the series swung back to the West Coast, the Clips retained that edge in game three as they dominated the Nuggets in a 34-point win, winning 117-83. With newfound home court advantage, a healthy Kawhi Leonard, and both James Harden and Norm Powell finding their form, the Clips look as dangerous as any team in the league.

You can never fully count out Nikola Jokic, especially if Jamal Murray can find his footing, but as long as Leonard and the Clips remain healthy, expect them to surge into the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Winner: L.A. Clippers