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Expert predictions for Western Conference, Eastern Conference and NBA champs

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Windhorst: Good luck beating the Clippers in a 7 game series (1:49)

Brian Windhorst declares the Clippers as the favorite in the Western Conference and believes if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy, no one will beat them in a playoff series. (1:49)

When the dust settled on a summer of free agency and trade mayhem, the league was left with a host of teams capable of winning the title in June. The breakup of the Golden State Warriors dynasty has opened the path to the Finals for revamped franchises such as the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.

In the East, Kawhi Leonard's West Coast move has teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets charting out a Finals course.

Which teams will take advantage?

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, our ESPN NBA experts are making their picks for Eastern Conference, Western Conference and Finals champions.

More: MVP, top rookie and more picks | Lowe's wild predictions | Preview '19

Western Conference finals

Malika Andrews: Clippers over Lakers

Jerry Bembry: Clippers over Lakers

Nick Friedell: Clippers over Jazz

Kirk Goldsberry: Warriors over Clippers

Israel Gutierrez: Clippers over Rockets

Andrew Han: Clippers over Jazz

Chris Herring: Clippers over Jazz

Andrew Lopez: Clippers over Rockets

Tim MacMahon: Clippers over Rockets

Jackie MacMullan: Clippers over Nuggets

Bobby Marks: Nuggets over Clippers

Dave McMenamin: Clippers over Lakers

Kevin Pelton: Clippers over Lakers

Jorge Sedano: Lakers over Clippers

Ramona Shelburne: Lakers over Clippers

André Snellings: Rockets over Lakers

Marc Spears: Clippers over Lakers

Eric Woodyard: Clippers over Jazz

Royce Young: Clippers over Jazz

Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers over Clippers


Final tally (West champs): LA Clippers (14 votes), Los Angeles Lakers (3), Denver Nuggets (1), Golden State Warriors (1), Houston Rockets (1)

Eastern Conference finals

Malika Andrews: Bucks over 76ers

Jerry Bembry: 76ers over Bucks

Nick Friedell: 76ers over Bucks

Kirk Goldsberry: Bucks over 76ers

Israel Gutierrez: Bucks over 76ers

Andrew Han: 76ers over Bucks

Chris Herring: Bucks over 76ers

Andrew Lopez: Bucks over 76ers

Tim MacMahon: Bucks over 76ers

Jackie MacMullan: 76ers over Bucks

Bobby Marks: Bucks over 76ers

Dave McMenamin: 76ers over Bucks

Kevin Pelton: Bucks over 76ers

Jorge Sedano: 76ers over Bucks

Ramona Shelburne: 76ers over Bucks

André Snellings: Bucks over 76ers

Marc Spears: 76ers over Raptors

Eric Woodyard: Bucks over 76ers

Royce Young: 76ers over Bucks

Ohm Youngmisuk: Bucks over 76ers


Final tally (East champs): Milwaukee Bucks (11 votes), Philadelphia 76ers (9)

NBA Finals

Malika Andrews: Clippers over Bucks

Jerry Bembry: Clippers over 76ers

Nick Friedell: Clippers over 76ers

Kirk Goldsberry: Bucks over Warriors

Israel Gutierrez: Clippers over Bucks

Andrew Han: Clippers over 76ers

Chris Herring: Clippers over Bucks

Andrew Lopez: Clippers over Bucks

Tim MacMahon: Clippers over Bucks

Jackie MacMullan: Clippers over 76ers

Bobby Marks: Nuggets over Bucks

Dave McMenamin: 76ers over Clippers

Kevin Pelton: Clippers over Bucks

Jorge Sedano: Lakers over 76ers

Ramona Shelburne: Lakers over 76ers

André Snellings: Bucks over Rockets

Marc Spears: Clippers over 76ers

Eric Woodyard: Clippers over Bucks

Royce Young: Clippers over 76ers

Ohm Youngmisuk: Lakers over Bucks


Final tally (NBA champs): LA Clippers (13 votes), Los Angeles Lakers (3), Milwaukee Bucks (2), Denver Nuggets (1), Philadelphia 76ers (1)