THE Minnesota Timberwolves reach its first conference finals appearance since 2004? THE New York Knicks return to the conference finals for the first time since 2000? Can anyone dispute the Boston Celtics in the East? Are the Denver Nuggets still on their way to their second straight NBA Finals appearance with a chance to repeat as champion?
Can the Timberwolves, with a healthy roster (except for their head coach), Chris Finch who ruptured a patellar tendon during a game) slow down Nikola Jokic and Denver’s offense? THE Indiana Pacers find enough defense against the Knicks?
Are you ready for more outstanding playoff performances from Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
The NBA Eastern and Western Conference semifinals are here, and the answers will start to become clearer with each game. See schedules, times, dates, TV information, key stats and who to watch:
Eastern Conference Semifinals Schedule
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers or No. 5 Orlando Magic
Game 1, Tuesday: at Boston, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: at Boston, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3, May 11: at Cleveland or Orlando, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4, May 13: at Cleveland or Orlando, time to be determined, TNT
Game 5, May 15: at Boston, time to be determined, TNT
Game 6, May 17: at Cleveland or Orlando, time to be determined, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: at Boston, time and television to be determined
New York Knicks No. 2 vs. Indiana Pacers No. 6
Game 1, Monday: at New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2, Wednesday: at New York, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 10: at Indiana, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4: May 12: at Indiana, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5, May 14: at New York, time to be determined, TNT
Game 6, May 17: at Indiana, time to be determined, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: in New York, time and television to be determined
Season series: Indiana won 2-1
Key stats: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 points and 9.0 assists in the first round, and the Knicks defense will be tested against the Indiana offense that scored 119.4 points per 100 possessions in the first round.
Who to watch: Brunson has been special and he has help from Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam make it work for the Pacers with a versatile roster.
Western Conference Semifinals Schedule
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Game 1, Tuesday: at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: at Oklahoma City, time to be determined, ESPN
Game 3, May 11: at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4, May 13: at Dallas, time to be determined, TNT
Game 5, May 15: at Oklahoma City, time to be determined, TNT
Game 6, May 18: at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 20: at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Season series: The Thunder won 3-1
Key stats: THE The Nonconformists Is the offense (115.9 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs) scoring enough against Oklahoma City’s defense (93.5 points allowed per 100 possessions)?
Who to watch: Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP finalist, and teammate Jalen Williams, a second-year forward, is one of the league’s rising stars. For Dallas, guard Luka Doncic, another MVP finalist, and guard Kyrie Irving provide offensive fireworks.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
Game 1, Saturday: at Denver, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Monday: at Denver, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 10: at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4, May 12: at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5, May 14: at Denver, time to be determined, TNT
Game 6, May 16: at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: at Denver, time and television to be determined
Season series: Tied 2-2
Key stats: Not known for its offense, Minnesota posted a league-high 123.2 points per 100 possessions in the first round, and Denver’s versatile offense was held in check at times in the first round at 113.4 points per 100 possessions.
Who to watch: Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been sensational, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic is one of the most gifted centers to ever play in the NBA and is likely to win his third MVP in the last four seasons.
