The NBA playoff picture is set and the schedule for the first round match-ups has been released as fans can finally look forward to post-season basketball.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers arguably remain the favourites to advance from the Eastern Conference as they begin with a first round clash with the Boston Celtics.
Provided teams stay true to expectations, that could result in a semi-final clash with the Chicago Bulls, although they will have to come through against the Milwaukee Bucks first who have proven this season that they shouldn’t be dismissed.
Elsewhere in the East, the No.1 seed Atlanta Hawks will need to navigate their way past the Brooklyn Nets while the Toronto Raptors will take on the Washington Wizards in perhaps the most evenly matched of the four series.
Over in the West, the Golden State Warriors will take on Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans after they dramatically beat the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night to hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers will face the Memphis Grizzlies while the Houston Rockets take on the Dallas Mavericks in two exciting clashes.
However, the best match-up is that of the Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers, and it remains to be seen who will prevail in a highly competitive Western Conference.
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
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