The NBA playoffs are here! The stage is set for juggernauts in each conference to compete for a championship. New stars have an opportunity to shine under the league's brightest lights, while several under-the-radar players could make a difference in any given series. Meanwhile, the NBA's player participation policy is being tested with the playoffs upon us.
Throughout the playoffs, we'll keep you covered with each matchup, including schedules, previews and predictions for every series.
WEST PLAYOFFS
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sun., April 21 @ Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Wed., April 24 @ Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Sat. April 27 @ New Orleans (3:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4: Mon. April 29 @ New Orleans (TBD)
Game 5: Wed., May 1 @ Oklahoma City (TBD)*
Game 6: Fri. May 3 @ New Orleans (TBD)*
Game 7: Sun., May 5 @ Oklahoma City (TBD)*
*if necessary
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(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers
DENVER LEADS 1-0
Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
Game 2: Mon. April 22 @ Denver (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Thu., April 25 @ L.A. Lakers (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4: Sat. April 27 @ L.A. Lakers (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5: Mon. April 29 @ Denver (TBD)*
Game 6: Thu. May 2 @ L.A. Lakers (TBD)*
Game 7: Sat. May 4@ Denver (TBD)*
*if necessary
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(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
MINNESOTA LEADS 1-0
Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
Game 2: Tue., April 23 @ Minnesota (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Fri., April 26 @ Phoenix (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sun., April 28 @ Phoenix (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Tue., April 30 @ Minnesota (TBD)*
Game 6: Thu., May 2 @ Phoenix (TBD)*
Game 7: Sat., May 4 @ Minnesota (TBD)*
*if necessary
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(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sun., April 21 @ L.A. Clippers (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 2: Tue., April 23 @ L.A. Clippers (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Fri., April 26 @ Dallas (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sun., April 28 @ Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5: Wed., May 1 @ L.A. Clippers (TBD)*
Game 6: Fri., May 3 @ Dallas (TBD)*
Game 7: Sun., May 5 @ L.A. Clippers (TBD)*
* if necessary
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EAST PLAYOFFS
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sun., April 21 @ Boston (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 2: Wed., April 24 @ Boston (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Sat., April 27 @ Miami (6 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4: Mon., April 29@ Miami (6 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Wed., May 1 @ Boston (TBD)*
Game 6: Fri., May 3 @ Miami (TBD)*
Game 7: Sun., May 5 @ Boston (TBD)*
*if necessary
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(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
NEW YORK LEADS 1-0
Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
Game 2: Mon., April 22 @ New York (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Thu., April 25 @ Philadelphia (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4: Sun., April 28 @ Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5: Tue., April 30 @ New York (TBD)*
Game 6: Thu., May 2 @ Philadelphia (TBD)*
Game 7: Sat., May 4 @ New York (TBD)*
*if necessary
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(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Sun., April 21 @ Milwaukee (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Tue., April 23 @ Milwaukee (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Fri., April 26 @ Indiana (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sun., April 28 @ Indiana (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Tue., April 30 @ Milwaukee (TBD)*
Game 6: Thu., May 2 @ Indiana (TBD)*
Game 7: Sat., May 4 @ Milwaukee (TBD)*
*if necessary
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Bucks vs. Pacers: Series preview and prediction
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(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Orlando Magic
CLEVELAND LEADS 1-0
Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
Game 2: Mon., April 22 @ Cleveland (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Thu., April 25 @ Orlando (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 4: Sat., April 27 @ Orlando (1 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Tue., April 30 @ Cleveland (TBD)*
Game 6: Fri., May 3 @ Orlando (TBD)*
Game 7: Sun., May 5 @ Cleveland (TBD)*
*if necessary
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KEY DATES
Conference semifinals begin: May 6-7 (possible move up to May 4-5)
Conference finals begin: May 21-22 (possible move up to May 19-20
NBA Finals begin: June 6
PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT
(7) 76ers vs. (8) Heat
(9) Bulls vs. (10) Hawks
April 17: 76ers 105, Heat 104
April 17: Bulls 131, Hawks 116
April 19: Heat 112, Bulls 91
(7) Pelicans vs. (8) Lakers
(9) Kings vs. (10) Warriors
April 16: Lakers 110, Pelicans 106
April 16: Kings 118, Warriors 94
April 19: Pelicans 105, Kings 98
