NBA playoff predictions: Who wins Sixers-Knicks, Lakers-Thunder and every second-round series?

Key Points:

• The Eastern Conference semifinal matchups feature the Cavaliers vs. Pistons and Sixers vs. Knicks, with most analysts predicting the Knicks to advance due to their depth and versatility, especially if Joel Embiid's health remains uncertain.
• In the Western Conference, the Spurs are favored over the Timberwolves, largely due to Minnesota's injury issues and San Antonio's balanced attack, while the Thunder are expected to defeat the Lakers, capitalizing on Oklahoma City's strong defense and the Lakers' potential lack of key players like Luka Dončić.
• Analysts highlight the critical role of defense in the playoffs so far, noting teams like the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons, and Knicks have thrived with strong defensive performances, while high-powered offenses like the Nuggets and Celtics have struggled.
• The Eastern Conference is viewed as highly competitive with no clear dominant team, suggesting the eventual finalist will need resilience and adaptability to succeed in tightly contested series.
• A major playoff insight is that reliance on offensive rebounding and secondary shot creation has been a double-edged sword, as teams emphasizing these areas without balanced offense have often been eliminated.