Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (4) - Suns in 7
I think this will be an all-offense series, it is unclear how either team will be able to effectively stop the other. Ultimately, I am picking the Suns since their pick-and-roll and mid-range based offense poses an especially strong challenge for the Nuggets. This is compounded by how Devin Booker has been playing these playoffs.
Golden State Warriors (6) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7) - Warriors in 7
LeBron James vs. the Warriors. One final duel for the rivalry that has defined the last decade or so of NBA basketball. Neither side will go quietly into the night, both will fight and claw for every advantage. I will pick the Warriors for one main reason. I believe Stephen Curry has finally surpassed LeBron in terms of talent and will be the best player in the series.
New York Knicks (5) vs. Miami Heat (8) - Knicks in 6
I picked against both of these teams the previous round so I am not sure I have a good read on either teams' talent level. That being said, I will pick the Knicks. I just think they have a stronger and more trusted rotation than the Heat. However, I would not count out another Jimmy Butler supernova performance putting the Heat over the top.
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (3) - Celtics in 6
For as occasionally shaky as the Celtics looked in round one, in contrast to the Sixers dominate performance, I can't bring myself to pick Philly. The Joel Embiid led Sixers have never been to the conference finals and I have trouble believing it will be this team that breaks the streak. Especially since both Embiid and James Harden are nursing injuries.
Disclosure: I am publishing this article after both the Nuggets/Suns and the Knicks/Heat had played game one. I was forced to do this since the Warriors did play game seven until after both of those game ones. However, I did write both of those preview pieces before either of those games.