Every Single NBA Expert Just Picked the Thunder to Sweep the Lakers in Round 2
The 2026 NBA second round is here, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are getting zero respect from the analysts. Well, actually, they're getting all of it. All 10 ESPN experts picked the defending champs to advance past the Los Angeles Lakers, with most of them calling for a Thunder victory in five games. Nobody, and we mean nobody, thinks the Lakers can steal even one.
The Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in four games to punch their ticket here, and they're opening their conference semifinals series against the Lakers on Tuesday. That dominance in Round 1 clearly has everyone convinced OKC is the team to beat in the West right now.
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The East tells a totally different story. The No. 1 Detroit Pistons came back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Orlando Magic and won three straight games to advance, which is absolutely wild. Now they're facing the Cleveland Cavaliers, who also had to go the distance, taking down the Toronto Raptors in a Game 7 thriller.
The experts are split here, but they're leaning Pistons. Six of the nine picks have Detroit moving on in seven games, while three see Cleveland pulling off the upset. It's way closer than the Western Conference situation.
The New York Knicks are the favorite in their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Seven of nine experts have New York advancing, with most of them calling a seven-game series. Only two analysts think the 76ers can pull it off in seven.
San Antonio Is a Wagon
Out West, the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, the Defensive Player of the Year, beat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games and now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Round 2. Here's the thing: the Timberwolves have been without star Anthony Edwards since Game 4 of their first-round series, and it shows. All 10 experts picked the Spurs to advance, with no votes for Minnesota.
The Thunder open Tuesday against the Lakers. Get ready for what might be the most lopsided series of the second round.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.