NBA Playoff Schedule 2014: Updated Bracket, TV Info for Final 1st-Round Contests
The first round of the 2014 NBA playoffs has collectively been one of the most exciting opening rounds in the history of the league.
There has been no shortage of action, intrigue, overtimes and unlikely heroes emerging during the past week, and it should only get better as these series wind to a close.
You aren’t going to want to miss a single minute from here on out, so keep reading for the television info for the remainder of the contests, an updated bracket and more.
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Updated NBA Playoff Bracket
For a printable 2014 NBA playoffs bracket, check out NBAPlayoffsBracket.com.
First-Round TV Schedule
| 5 | Mon., April 28 | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 6 | Thurs., May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat., May 3 | TBD | TNT |
| 4 | Mon., April 28 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed., April 30 | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri., May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun., May 4 | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Wed., April 30 | TBD | NBA TV |
| 6 | Fri., May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun., May 4 | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Tues., April 29 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 6 | Thurs., May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat., May 3 | TBD | TNT |
| 4 | Mon., April 28 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wed., April 30 | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Fri., May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun., May 4 | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Tues., April 29 | 9 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 6 | Thurs., May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat., May 3 | TBD | TNT |
| 5 | Tues., April 29 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6 | Thurs., May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat., May 3 | TBD | TNT |
| 5 | Wed., April 30 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6 | Fri., May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sun., May 4 | TBD | TBD |
First-Round Matchup to Watch: Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Raptors and Nets may play in the same division, but these two Atlantic foes haven’t fostered much of a rivalry throughout their history until this season. However, there is now no shortage of bad blood, and this has quickly blossomed into one of the most heated, bitter battles in the league.
With the series now tied and shifting back to Canada for a pivotal Game 5, you can expect this rivalry to escalate to a new level. Toronto took care of business on the road in Game 4, as the players didn’t have too much crowd noise to deal with despite general manager Masai Ujiri’s comments at the start of the series.
The Raptors GM infamously shouted "F--- Brooklyn!" to rally up fans at the Air Canada Centre, but fans in the Big Apple have not responded as expected.
ESPN Stats & Info noted that Toronto was able to snap a 13-game losing streak on the road during the playoffs on Sunday, a string of failure that extended back to 2001:
Nets star Kevin Garnett was disappointed about the lack of support he received at the Barclays Center, telling Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York after Game 3:
"They could do better," Garnett said Saturday. "I was expecting Brooklyn to be real hostile, New York-style. I know what it's like to come here as the opposition, so our crowd could do better…”
Teammate Paul Pierce added: "Well, we know gradually they got into it. Hopefully the next game, it will get a lot better from the start.
That didn’t happen, as the Nets came out flat, and the crowd was never a factor. Now, Brooklyn must prepare for a tough game north of the border where the fans will definitely make an impact.
The Nets were able to steal Game 1 on the road in this environment, riding big games from Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, plus a clutch Pierce performance, to victory. Look for them to try to repeat that formula on Wednesday, but it won’t be easy.
DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and the rest of the Raptors stars are brimming with confidence from their road excursion and are certainly anxious to put the Nets on the ropes with a home win.
Expect a blood bath in Game 5, setting up a thrilling finish to the series.
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