NBA Playoffs 2024: Experts predict conference finals

Here are the NBA Conference Finals. Which of the league's bottom four teams will play for the Larry O'Brien Trophy next month?

The No. 1-ranked Boston Celtics haven't played since April 29 with a calf strain, despite the uncertainty of standout Kristaps Porzingis. 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.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks enter their series after eliminating 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 Deportes), our NBA experts predict each conference finals matchup.

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Eastern Finals

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

Jerry Bembry: Pacers at 7 | Series MVP: Tyrese Halliburton

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

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

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

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

Tim McMahon: Celtics at 6 | Series MVP: Jrue Holiday

Bobby Marks: Pacers 6 | Series MVP: Pascal Siagam

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

Kevin Belton: Celtics at 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown

Umar Raja: Celtics at 5 | Series MVP: Jaylen Brown

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

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

Andre Snellings: Celtics at 7 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Mark J. Spears: Celtics at 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

Om Youngmisuk: Celtics at 6 | Series MVP: Jayson Tatum

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

Western Finals

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

Jerry Bembry: Timberwolves at 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 at 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

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

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

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

Kevin Belton: Timberwolves at 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Umar Raja: Timberwolves at 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

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

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

Andre Snellings: Timberwolves at 6 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Mark J. Spears: Timberwolves at 7 | Series MVP: Anthony Edwards

Om Youngmisuk: Mavericks at 7 | Series MVP: Luka Doncic

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