The NBA took a long and winding road to get here, butyes, the have finally arrived.While there were plenty of validconcerns about restarting play amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the league didmanageto create a safe environment for participating teams as they finished out an unusual regular season schedule. The "seeding games" provided some much-needed entertainment for desperate hoops fans, including an incredibly tight race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.For the teams still hanging around theWalt Disney World ResortinOrlando,Fla., the intensity will jump to another level as the postseason begins. Betting favorites like the Bucks, Clippers and Lakers are chasing down a championship, but the path to the NBA Finals is filled withchallenges.The overall weirdne s of the NBA's "bubble" makesthe first round of the playoffs (and beyond) difficult to predict. Still,we'reready to offer some picks for each series.NBA playoff bracket 2020 Here are the in each conference:Eastern Conference(1) Bucks vs. ( Magic(2) Raptors vs. (7) Nets(3) Celtics vs. (6) 76ers(4) Pacers vs. (5) HeatWestern Conference(1) Lakers vs. ( Trail Blazers(2) Clippers vs. (7) Mavericks(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Jazz(4) Rockets vs. (5) Thunder NBA playoff predictions: Eastern Conference(1) Bucks vs. ( MagicThe key player: Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpoaveraged 26.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 7.7 a sists in three games against the Magic Paul O'Neill Jersey this season. With Jonathan Isaac unavailable after suffering a torn ACL, expect Orlando coach Steve Clifford to throw Aaron Gordon at Antetokounmpo and expect "The Greek Freak" to post some ridiculous stat lines.The big number: When Brook Lopez sat during the Bucks' "seeding games," Milwaukee had a net rating of minus-11.2. When he played, that number jumped to plus-8.9. It's easy to place the spotlight on Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton they are really good! but don't forget about Lopez's impact, particularly on the defensive end.The prediction: Bucks win, 4-0DateGameTime (ET)National TVAug. 18Game 11:30 p.m.TNTAug. 20Game 26 p.m.ESPNAug. 22Game 31 p.m.TNTAug. 24Game 41:30 p.m.NBA TVAug. 26Game 5*TBDTBDAug. 28Game 6*TBDTBDAug. 30Game 7*TBDTBD*if nece sary(2) Raptors vs. (7) NetsThe key player: What will Pascal Siakam do in his first playoff series as the Raptors' top offensive threat? After bumping up his scoring average by six points from last season(16.9 to 22.9), the All-Star forward will be expected to carry the load with Kawhi Leonard gone. The Nets are an ideal matchup for him because they don't have a great wing-stopping option.The big number: Toronto has a defensive rating of inside the "bubble,"the best mark in the NBA by a significant margin. Brooklyn has been surprisingly feisty given its health i sues, but outside of Caris LeVert, the Nets don't po se s a ton of strong initiators on offense. That's a major i sue when facing a team with plus defenders at each position.The prediction: Raptors win, 4-0DateGameTime (ET)National TVAug. 17Game 14 p.m.ESPNAug. 19Game 21:30 p.m.NBA TVAug. 21Game 31:30 p.m.NBA TVAug. 23Game 46:30 p.m.TNTAug. 25Game 5*TBDTBDAug. 27Game 6*TBDESPNAug. 29Game 7*TBDTNT*if nece sary(3) Celtics vs. (6) 76ersThe key player: It has to be Joel Embiid. The 76ers know Ben Simmons is , so theyneed Embiid to be the best player on the floor and control the interior on both ends. If the 26-year-old vacillates between dominant and average, this series won't last long.The big number: Gordon Hayward has been terrific overall in Orlando, but his aggre sion stands out. In his last seven games, Hayward has averaged 4.9 free throw attempts, nearly doubling his output prior to the suspension of play (2.5). If he continues to attack with confidence, Boston becomes much more dangerous in the East.The prediction: Celtics win, 4-1DateGameTime (ET)National TVAug. 17Game 16:30 p.m.ESPNAug. 19Game 26:30 p.m.TNTAug. 21Game 36:30 p.m.TNTAug. 23Game 41 p.m.ABCAug. 25Game 5*TBDTBDAug. 27Game 6*TBDESPNAug. 29Game 7*TBDTNT*if nece sary(4) Pacers vs. (5) HeatThe key player: IsT.J. Warrenthe next Michael Jordan, or is the hot streak over? The Pacers forward averaged 31.0 points per game while shooting a scorching 57.8 percent from the field inside the "bubble." However, he has struggled in three games against the Heat, averaging just 10.3 points on 35.5 percent shooting, including a 5-for-14 outing on Aug. 10. Jimmy Butler is easily winning this new rivalry at the moment. The Pacers need Warren to flip the script.The big number: Miami is often viewed as a hard-nosed, grind-it-out team, but don't dismi s the firepower. The Heat shot37.9percentfrom 3-point range this season, second in the leaguebehind onlythe Jazz (38.0 percent). Indiana must find the shooters on the perimeter, especially Duncan Robinson, who is capable of going on his own personal 6-0 run at any moment.The prediction: Heat win, 4-2DateGameTime (ET) National TVAug. 18Game 14 p.m.TNTAug. 20Game 21 p.m.ESPNAug. 22Game 33:30 p.m.TNTAug. 24Game 46:30 p.m.TNTAug. 26Game 5*TBDTBDAug. 28Game 6*TBDTBDAug. 30Game 7*TBDTBD*if nece sary NBA playoff predictions: Western Conference(1)Lakersvs. ( Trail BlazersThe key player: Damian Lillard isn't just on a hot streak. The guy is basically the sun right now. His numbers acro s eight "seeding games": 37.6 points, 9.6 a sists, 4.3 rebounds, 49.7 percent shooting and43.6 percent 3-point shooting. His primary defenderwould have been Avery Bradley, but he opted out of the season restart. Los Angeles can't completely stop Lillard, but it must find a way to slow him down.The big number:The Trail Blazers aren'tan elite defensive squad, so the Lakers will have clean looksavailable. LeBron James plus shooting has consistently been a winning formula, but Los Angeles has struggled with the shootingpart lately. It holds the lowest 3-point percentage among"bubble" teams at 30. C.C. Sabathia Jersey 3 percent. That percentage will likely see an uptick as James and Anthony Davis attack the rim and find open teammates.The prediction: Lakers win, 4-1DateGameTime (ET)National TVAug. 18Game 19 p.m.TNTAug. 20Game 29 p.m.ESPNAug. 22Game 38:30 p.m.ABCA