The NBA playoffs move into the second round, with teams now just one step away from the Conference Finals.
In the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers after both sides battled through a tough seven-game series to get here.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder welcome the Los Angeles Lakers, with both teams dealing with key absences heading into Game One.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons match preview
Detroit come into this one with a slight concern, as Kevin Huerter is listed as questionable after missing the final few games of the previous series with an adductor strain.
Aside from that, they’re in good shape — and more importantly, they’ve got momentum.
Cade Cunningham has been the headline act throughout, but it was Tobias Harris who stepped up hugely in Game Seven, putting up an efficient 30 points to help drag his side over the line.
JB Bickerstaff will be looking for more of the same here. If Harris can provide that secondary scoring alongside Cunningham, it gives Detroit a completely different look offensively.
Cleveland, meanwhile, comes in fully healthy but far from convincing.
They edged past a depleted Toronto side in seven games, and while the job got done, the performances left a bit to be desired.
Donovan Mitchell, in particular, had a quiet series by his standards. He’ll need to be far more involved here, especially against a Detroit defence that doesn’t give much away.
Coming off respective games less than 48 hours ago, legs won’t be fresh, and that usually shows on the offensive end. Expect a low-scoring contest here.
With home advantage and momentum on their side, Detroit look well placed.
It might not be pretty, but they should have enough to grind this one out and take an early lead in the series.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder match preview
Oklahoma City come into this one without Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
That’s a big loss, but they’ve had the luxury of rest after sweeping the Phoenix Suns, and that could prove just as important.
With Williams out, even more responsibility falls on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
He’s averaging 34 points across his last three games and looks in complete control offensively.
Against a Lakers backcourt that lacks strong perimeter defence, expect him to be aggressive from the start and look to set the tone early.
For the Lakers, the big news is that Luka Doncic remains out. There had been some hope he’d return for the start of this series, but that’s not the case, with a comeback expected later on.
Even without him, though, they’ve shown they can compete. A 4-2 series win over the vibrant Houston proved that, with LeBron James once again leading from the front despite his age.
Oklahoma have dominated this matchup recently, with four blowout wins in their last five meetings.
Without Doncic, it’s hard to see that trend changing.
With fresher legs, home advantage, and the best player on the floor, the Thunder look to be massive favourites.
Expect a convincing win, with Gilgeous-Alexander once again leading the way.
What are the best picks for round two of the NBA Playoffs?
Cavaliers @ Pistons
Pistons -3.5
Under 214.5 total points
Combined same game odds on FanDuel: +278
Lakers @ Thunder
Thunder -15.5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ points
Combined same game odds on FanDuel: +191
Combined parlay odds: +999
Where can I watch the NBA live on TV?
Both games are available to watch live on ESPN and NBA League Pass.
