NBA Playoffs 2015: Known Schedule, Bracket Format and Dangerous Teams
After a long and grinding regular season, the NBA playoffs are almost upon us with 16 teams looking to make a run to a championship.
There are usually fewer upsets at this level compared to most sports due to the extended series and the nature of the sport, but there are still teams capable of surprises this season. Squads that are on the bottom half of postseason standings will have a chance to beat some higher-seeded opponents and stay alive into the later rounds.
While there is plenty of uncertainty heading into the 2015 playoffs, here is a look at what we know as well as some dangerous teams capable of surprises.
| Saturday, April 18 | ||
| 3 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | ABC |
| 5:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | ESPN |
| 8 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | ESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 19 | ||
| 3 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | ABC |
| 5:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | TNT |
| 8 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | TNT |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 1 | TNT |
| Monday, April 20 | ||
| 8 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| 8 p.m. | First Round | NBA TV |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| Tuesday, April 21 | ||
| 8 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| 8 p.m. | First Round | NBA TV |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| Wednesday, April 22 | ||
| 7 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| 8 p.m. | First Round | NBA TV |
| 9:30 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| Thursday, April 23 | ||
| 7 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| 9:30 p.m. | First Round | TNT |
| Friday, April 24 | ||
| 8 p.m. | First Round, Game 3 | ESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 3 | ESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 3 | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, April 25 | ||
| 2 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | TNT |
| 4:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | TNT |
| 8 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | ESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 26 | ||
| 1 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | ABC |
| 3:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 4 | ABC |
| Friday, May 1 | ||
| 7 p.m. | First Round, Game 6* | ESPNEWS |
| 8 p.m. | First Round, Game 6* | ESPN |
| 9:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 6* | ESPNEWS |
| 10:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 6* | ESPN |
| Sunday, May 3 | ||
| 1 p.m. | First Round, Game 7* | ABC |
| 3:30 p.m. | First Round, Game 7 | ABC |
Bracket Format
The NBA playoffs follow a standard format with each series being the best of seven games. The No. 1 seed in each conference will take on the No. 8 team, the No. 2 will be paired with the No. 7, No. 3 with No. 6 and the No. 4 will face the No. 5.
Each round will be played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the higher seed being home for Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. When one team wins four games, the series ends and the winner moves on.
After each team advances, there will be no reseeding and the winner of the No. 1-No. 8 matchup will face the winner of No. 4 versus No. 5. The teams continue to advance until the Eastern Conference representative faces the Western Conference representative in the NBA Finals.
Dangerous Teams to Watch
Washington Wizards
Although the Washington Wizards struggled to keep up with the other top teams in the Eastern Conference, it's clear any of the top five squads have a chance to do damage this postseason.
The Wizards certainly have the ability to win a few series thanks to their star power and a strong defensive presence.
According to ESPN, Washington has had one of the most efficient defenses in the NBA this season thanks to their ability to force turnovers and make shots tough for opponents. While there have been some bad games down the stretch, the group can come together in the playoffs and really buckle down with strong defensive play.
On the other end of the court, the Wizards have a pair of backcourt players who are capable of creating shots whenever they want. John Wall and Bradley Beal can get hot and score at will, which will really help late in games.
Michael Lee of The Washington Post recently noted that Beal especially needs to take on more of a selfish mentality:
This sounds like a bad thing initially, but he and Wall can be a scary duo in the playoffs for opposing teams as the squad looks to make a run toward a title.
Houston Rockets
No one is really sleeping on the Houston Rockets, but a loaded Western Conference could see them drop in the standings and make any type of run more difficult. The franchise also has just one series win since 1997, so it's understandable why some may be skeptical.
However, this is a group that should be able to buck the trend. Most notably, James Harden has the ability to carry his squad to great heights this postseason.
While there is plenty of debate whether he or Stephen Curry will take home the league's MVP award, his fellow players certainly believe in him, according to HoopsHype:
The bearded guard has been the most consistent scorer in the league this season, and he has a chance to go into superstar mode in big moments. Jimmy Spencer of Fox Sports believes Harden will turn even more heads in the playoffs:
With Dwight Howard relatively healthy and getting back into shape, this will be a team no one will want to face over the next few weeks.
Dallas Mavericks
Unlike many of the other playoff-bound teams, the Dallas Mavericks know they will end up as a No. 7 seed. This gives the squad a chance relax a bit in the final week and better prepare for the postseason.
Head coach Rick Carlisle discussed his goals heading into the final week, via Schuyler Dixon of The Associated Press (h/t NBA.com):
"We've got to make the best of whatever the situation is. We want to win games. We've got to follow the process to put ourselves in a position to do that. Part of the process is the healing of guys that are injured, and part of it is to continue to work to get better as a team with the guys that are available.
"
Most importantly, this is a veteran team that knows how to handle the playoffs. While the squad hasn't had a successful postseason run since winning the title in 2011, the coaching staff and the players will be prepared for any upcoming challenge.
Even the players who haven't put up star numbers, like Rajon Rondo and Amar'e Stoudemire, should be able to make a big impact.
The pieces are there to pull off an upset, but the pressure will be on the opponents. This provides a good chance to surprise people going forward.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
