The NBA Playoffs bracket is all set, and the games will kick off this weekend. Below, you will find the TV listings, dates and times of every first-round game, as well as a prediction for each series. The preview will begin in the East.
(1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 5:30 PM, TNT
Game 2 - Wed . April 22, Brooklyn at Atlanta, 7:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat. April 25, Atlanta at Brooklyn, 3:00 PM, TNT
Game 4 - Mon. April 27, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 5 * - Wed. April 29, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 *- Fri. May 1, Atlanta at Brooklyn, TBD
Game 7 *- Sun. May 3, Brooklyn at Atlanta, TBD
Prediction: The Atlanta Hawks are dealing with off-court distractions, as well as a nagging injury to star forward Paul Millsap. The end of the regular season wasn't nearly as dominant as the beginning and middle, but they are still one of the sweetest-shooting teams in the NBA. The Nets, on the other hand, snuck in as a below-.500 club, and were recently blasted by former forward Paul Pierce for not having leadership or desire. Ouch. Hawks in 4.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Boston Celtics
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Boston at Cleveland, 3:00 PM, ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Boston at Cleveland, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, Cleveland at Boston, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Cleveland at Boston, 1:00 PM, ABC
Game 5 * - Tue. April 28, Boston at Cleveland, TBD
Game 6 * - Thu. April 30, Cleveland at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * - Sat. May 2, Boston at Cleveland , TNT
Prediction: The Boston Celtics surprised almost everyone paying attention to the NBA by not only making the playoffs, but by getting a No. 7 seed. They lack interior defense and rim protection, but create problems with their up-temp attack and willingness to bomb 3-pointers. It won't help them vs. Cleveland though. LeBron James is the best player in the world, and is a player for whom the Celtics have no answer. They will give up loads of points to the Cavs, who have improved significantly on defense. Cavaliers in 5.
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Milwaukee at Chicago, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 20, Milwaukee at Chicago, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat . April 25, Chicago at Milwaukee, 5:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Mon. April 27, Milwaukee at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * - Thu. April 30, Chicago at Milwaukee, TBD
Game 7 * - Sat. May 2, Milwaukee at Chicago, TNT
Prediction: Milwaukee can provide a lot of problems for any team, especially the offensively challenged Bulls. Their length will help keep Derrick Rose out of the paint at times, and the Bulls' overall lack of shooting could sink them. The Bucks are very inexperienced though, and will struggle on their own against the Bulls' defense. Expect a low-scoring, long series. Bulls in 7.
(4) Toronto Raptors vs. (5) Washington Wizards
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Washington at Toronto, 12:30 PM, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Washington at Toronto, 8:00 PM, NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, Toronto at Washington, 8:00 PM, ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Toronto at Washington, 7:00 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Wed. April 29, Washington at Toronto, TBD
Game 6 * - Fri. May 1 ,Toronto at Washington, TBD
Game 7 * - Sun. May 3, Washington at Toronto, TBD
Prediction: These two teams began the season with great promise, but ultimately struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness as the days wore on. Neither enters the postseason on a high note, but the Wizards' superior talent should carry them as long as they can steal home court in the first two games. Wizards in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, New Orleans at Golden State, 3:30 PM, ABC/R
Game 2 - Mon. April 20, New Orleans at Golden State, 10:30 PM , TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, Golden State at New Orleans, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 4 - Sat. April 25, Golden State at New Orleans, 8:00 PM ,ESPN
Game 5 * - Tue. April 28, New Orleans at Golden State, TBD
Game 6 * - Fri. May 1, Golden State at New Orleans, TBD
Game 7 * - Sun. May 3, New Orleans at Golden State, TBD
Prediction: Anthony Davis is basically a video game cheat code, and no matter how good the Warriors are he is a serious problem. Unfortunately for Davis, one man, no matter how good, doesn't win a playoff series, let alone against a historically good regular season No. 1 seed. Warriors in 5.
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Dallas at Houston, 9:30 PM, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Dallas at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, Houston at Dallas, 7:00 PM, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Houston at Dallas, 9:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 * - Tue. April 28, Dallas at Houston, TBD
Game 6 * - Thu. April 30, Houston at Dallas, TBD
Game 7 * - Sat. May 2, Dallas at Houston, TNT
Prediction: The Mavericks have a big coaching advantage with Rick Carlisle on the sideline, and he should be able to frustrate the Rockets' one-dimensional offensive approach. It boils down to giving the rock to James Harden and having him do things. Harden may win the MVP award though, and it's still difficult to stop even when everyone knows what is coming. Dallas' offense comes and goes, and in the end they won't have enough to advance. Rockets in 6.
(3) L.A. Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 2 - Wed. April 22, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 9:30 PM, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 3:30 PM, ABC
Game 5 - * Tue. April 28, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers,TBD
Game 6 - * Thu. April 30, L.A. Clippers at San Antonio,TBD
Game 7 - * Sat. May 2, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, TNT
Prediction: The Clippers drew a short straw here after a fine season and an MVP-caliber campaign from Chris Paul. As a No. 3 seed, they have the advantage of not going to San Antonio if the series reaches Game 7, but the Staples Center is one of the weaker home courts in the Association. The Clippers don't have the perimeter talent that is required to overwhelm the Spurs, and betting against Popovich in Round 1 is usually folly. Spurs in 6.
(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Portland at Memphis, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 2 - Wed. April 22, Portland at Memphis, 8:00 PM, TNT
Game 3 - Sat. April 25, Memphis at Portland, 10:30 PM, ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. April 27, Memphis at Portland, 10:30 PM, TNT
Game 5 *- Wed. April 29, Portland at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * - Fri. May 1, Memphis at Portland, TBD
Game 7 *- Sun. May 3, Portland at Memphis, TBD
Prediction: The Blazers were basically written off when Wesley Matthews, their top perimeter defender and a 3-point marksman, was lost for the season. Memphis has their own offensive struggles though, and center Marc Gasol may not be fully healthy for this postseason run. That said, Portland won't have enough defense to stop Memphis' big men, and Gasol just needs to be healthy enough to get in LaMarcus Aldridge's way. Grizzlies in 7.
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