Finally.
It took until close to midnight on the East Coast on the final day of the season, but we finally have the NBA playoffs matchups set.
The best first round series is in the West, where the Los Angeles Clippers takes on the San Antonio Spurs in a series where both teams have dreams of the conference finals and beyond. That is going to be a war.
Also out West, the Warriors face the Pelicans (Anthony Davis vs. Stephen Curry, two of the game’s great young stars), the Rockets face the Mavericks in a rivalry series, and Portland and Memphis face off in a battle to see which team is less injured.
In the East, it’s Atlanta vs. Brooklyn, Cleveland vs. Boston, Chicago vs. Milwaukee in a defensive battle, and Toronto vs. Washington in a series of two teams in about the same place on their development curve.
Here is the full list of game times and broadcasts schedules, as we know them now.
The * means the game is if necessary.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Golden State vs. 8. New Orleans
Game 1 – Sat. at Golden State 3:30PM ABC
Game 2 – April 20 at Golden State 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 – April 23 at New Orleans 9:30PM TNT
Game 4 – April 25 at New Orleans 8:00PM ESPN
Game 5 * April 28 at Golden State TBD
Game 6 * May 1 at New Orleans TBD
Game 7 * May 3 at Golden State TBD
2. Houston vs. 7. Dallas
Game 1 – Sat at Houston 9:30PM ESPN
Game 2 – April 21 at Houston 9:30PM TNT
Game 3 – April 24 at Dallas 7:00PM ESPN
Game 4 – April 26 at Dallas 9:30PM TNT
Game 5 * April 28 at Houston TBD
Game 6 * April 30 at Dallas TBD
Game 7 * May 2 at Houston TBD
3. L.A. Clippers vs. 6. San Antonio
Game 1 – Sun at L.A. Clippers 10:30PM TNT
Game 2 – April 22 at L.A. Clippers 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 – April 24 at San Antonio 9:30PM ESPN
Game 4 – April 26 at San Antonio 3:30PM ABC
Game 5 * April 28 at L.A. Clippers TBD
Game 6 * April 30 at San Antonio TBD
Game 7 * May 2 at L.A. Clippers TBD
4. Portland vs. 5. Memphis
Game 1 – Sun. at Memphis 8:00PM TNT
Game 2 – April 22 at Memphis 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 – April 25 at Portland 10:30PM ESPN
Game 4 – April 27 at Portland 10:30PM TNT
Game 5 * April 29 at Memphis TBD
Game 6 * May 1 at Portland TBD
Game 7 * May 3 at Memphis TBD
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Atlanta vs. 8. Brooklyn
Game 1 – Sun at Atlanta 5:30PM TNT
Game 2 – April 22 at Atlanta 7:00PM NBA TV
Game 3 – April 25 at Brooklyn 3:00PM TNT
Game 4 – April 27 at Brooklyn TBD
Game 5 * April 29 at Atlanta TBD
Game 6 * May 1 at Brooklyn TBD
Game 7 * May 3 at Atlanta TBD
2. Cleveland vs. 7. Boston
Game 1 – Sun at Cleveland 3:00PM ABC
Game 2 – April 21 at Cleveland 7:00PM TNT
Game 3 – April 23 at Boston 7:00PM TNT
Game 4 – April 26 at Boston 1:00PM ABC
Game 5 * April 28 at Cleveland TBD
Game 6 * April 30 at Boston TBD
Game 7 * May 2 at Cleveland TBD
3. Chicago vs. 6. Milwaukee
Game 1 – Sat at Chicago 7:00PM ESPN
Game 2 - April 20 at Chicago 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 – April 23 at Milwaukee 8:00PM NBA TV
Game 4 – April 25 at Milwaukee 5:30PM TNT
Game 5 * April 27 at Chicago TBD
Game 6 * April 30 at Milwaukee TBD
Game 7 * May 2 at Chicago TBD
4. Toronto vs. 5. Washington
Game 1 – Sat. at Toronto 12:30PM ESPN
Game 2 – April 21 at Toronto 8:00PM NBA TV
Game 3 – April 24 at Washington 8:00PM ESPN2
Game 4 – April 26 at Washington 7:00PM TNT
Game 5 * April 29 at Toronto TBD
Game 6 * May 1 at Washington TBD
Game 7 * May 3 at Toronto TBD
