The second round of the 2026 NBA playoffsCompetition·2026 NBA Playoffs kicks off with high stakes across both conferences, as the Detroit PistonsTeam·Detroit Pistons welcome the Cleveland CavaliersTeam·Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1 on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET in Little Caesars Arena. The top-seeded Pistons (60-22) clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to dispatch the Orlando MagicTeam·Orlando Magic in their first-round series, setting up a clash with the fourth-seeded Cavaliers (52-30), who grinded out a Game 7 victory over the Toronto RaptorsTeam·Toronto Raptors.
Meanwhile, the New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks (53-29) host the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ersTeam·Philadelphia 76ers (45-37) after Game 1 on Monday night, where the Knicks cruised to a 137-98 blowout. Joel EmbiidPlayer·Joel Embiid powered Philadelphia through their first-round upset of the Boston CelticsTeam·Boston Celtics, averaging 28 points per game over the final four contests to fuel three straight wins and a Game 7 triumph. Experts lean toward the Knicks advancing 7-4 in picks, though Philadelphia's depth and healthy offense could extend the series deep.
In the Western Conference, the defending champion Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18) face the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) starting Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City. The Thunder swept the Phoenix SunsTeam·Phoenix Suns in the first round and dominated the Lakers in all four regular-season meetings by an average of 29.3 points, earning a unanimous 12-0 expert prediction to sweep. The Lakers advanced by topping the Houston RocketsTeam·Houston Rockets in six games, bringing their experience to a daunting challenge.
The second-seeded San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs (62-20) take on the sixth-seeded Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) after Game 1 on Monday. Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, who dispatched the Portland Trail BlazersTeam·Portland Trail Blazers in five games, draw universal support from experts (12-0 picks) thanks to Minnesota's injury issues—Anthony EdwardsPlayer·Anthony Edwards plays through a hyperextended knee after being questionable for Game 1, while Donte DiVincenzoPlayer·Donte DiVincenzo sits out with an Achilles tear. Analysts project the Spurs in five, citing their elite defense.
Full second-round schedule (all times ET):
Eastern Conference - Pistons vs. Cavaliers: Game 1 Tue 5/5 7pm (Peacock); Game 2 Thu 5/7 7pm (Prime); Game 3 Sat 5/9 3pm (NBC/Peacock); Game 4 Mon 5/11 8pm. - Knicks vs. 76ers: Game 1 Mon 5/4 8pm (NBC/Peacock); Game 2 Wed 5/6 7pm (ESPN); Game 3 Fri 5/8 7pm (Prime); Game 4 Sun 5/10 3:30pm (ABC).
Western Conference - Thunder vs. Lakers: Game 1 Tue 5/5 8:30pm (NBC/Peacock); Game 2 Thu 5/7 9:30pm (Prime); Game 3 Sat 5/9 8:30pm (ABC); Game 4 Mon 5/11 10:30pm (Prime). - Spurs vs. Timberwolves: Game 1 Mon 5/4 9:30pm (Peacock); Game 2 Wed 5/6 9:30pm (ESPN); Game 3 Fri 5/8 9:30pm (Prime); Game 4 Sun 5/10 7:30pm (NBC).
Pistons-Cavaliers draws a slight 7-3 expert edge to Detroit, testing the top seed's resilience against Cleveland's battle-tested grit. These series carry massive weight: Eastern winners meet in the conference finals around May 19, Western counterparts follow May 20, with the NBA Finals tipping off June 3 and a potential Game 7 on June 19. Underdog tales like the Spurs' rise and 76ers' grit face powerhouse pedigrees in Oklahoma City and Detroit, promising playoff drama through mid-May.
Scottie Barnes (Raptors) blocks Donovan Mitchell's (Cavaliers) shot. Cavaliers won 114-102. UPI Photo/IMAGO
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