ESPN's 'Inside The NBA' Crew Reveals Surprising 2026 NBA Finals Predictions
Who did they pick to make the Finals?
ESPN's 'Inside The NBA' Crew Reveals Surprising 2026 NBA Finals Predictions originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . With the 2026 NBA Playoffs kicking off on Saturday, ESPN's "Inside the NBA" crew unveiled their NBA Finals predictions .
Charles Barkley picked the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, he picked the Cavaliers to beat the Celtics and advance to the Finals for the first time since LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers eight years ago. Kenny Anderson picked the Detroit Pistons to face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Pistons coming out on top and advancing to their first Finals since 2005.
Shaquille O'Neal had the same matchup as Anderson, but with the Knicks going to the Finals for the first time since 1999. The Inside the NBA crew shares their picks for the Finals š pic. twitter.
com/PJeWwFxQzD ā NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 19, 2026 Ernie Johnson agreed with Barkley, picking Boston and Cleveland to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. However, he picked the Celtics to win the series and return to the Finals for the third time in five years. Johnson thinks Boston will face the Denver Nuggets once they get there.