NBA Playoffs 2015: Known Schedule, Bracket Picture Before Final Games of Season
There's only one game left in the NBA regular season. A few seedings will be determined on the final day, but there are already a few playoff spots and a matchup etched in stone. The Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors have locked up the top seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively.
Neither team knows what opponent it will face in the first round of the playoffs.
The Indiana Pacers are tied with the Brooklyn Nets heading into the final day of the season. The same can be said for the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans in the West.
The Hawks will face either the Pacers or Nets, and the Warriors will draw the Thunder or Pelicans.
Here's a look at the current playoff matchups. The series that are highlighted are the ones that are confirmed.
| No. 1 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 8 Indiana Pacers | |
| No. 4 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards | |
| N. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 7 Boston Celtics | |
| No. 3 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks | |
| No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans | |
| No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets | |
| No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks | |
| No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies |
The following are the known dates for the postseason schedule, per Sports Media Watch. The specific matchups aren't yet known.
| Time (ET) | Game | TV |
| 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 |
*denotes "if necessary"
Biggest Games to Watch Wednesday
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans
It's simple for the Pels. If they can defend their home court against the red-hot Spurs, they will make the playoffs. If they lose, they will need help. Anthony Davis has had great success against San Antonio this season, averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three steals in three games.
New Orleans won two of those games, the only loss coming in a 95-93 overtime affair on New Year's Eve. That could be a bit deceiving. The Spurs struggled with injuries much of the season and have just hit their stride in the last month. San Antonio now has a good shot to lock up the No. 2 spot in the West, so it has something to play for in the finale. That will make the Pels' task that much tougher.
If New Orleans wins its way in, it will have earned it.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
Applying the pressure to the Pels will be the Thunder. On paper, it seems OKC has an easy game. The Wolves have lost 11 in a row. With Russell Westbrook playing out of his mind, this seems like a game the Thunder will win. However, this game will be Minnesota's NBA Finals.
Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins have both been scoring well lately. If Minny can find the heart to defend, it could make things difficult for OKC.
Indiana Pacers at Memphis Grizzlies
The Pacers control their own destiny. If they win at Memphis on Wednesday, they are a dangerous No. 8 seed. However, beating Memphis on the road is easier said than done.
However, Indy is playing well. It would be unwise to doubt the team, even in a tough road game. Ultimately, the Pacers may not even have to win Wednesday to make the postseason.
Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets
If the Nets win, they're in because they own the tiebreaker over the Pacers. The Hawks have to be hoping and praying the Nets are the team they face. Brooklyn didn't look like a team desperate or eager to make the postseason in its embarrassing 113-86 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
In an interview with ESPNBoston.com's Jackie MacMullan, former Net Paul Pierce had nothing but bad things to say about his former teammates in Brooklyn. Pierce said:
"It was just the guys' attitudes there. It wasn't like we were surrounded by a bunch of young guys. They were vets who didn't want to play and didn't want to practice. I was looking around saying, 'What's this?' Kevin (Garnett) and I had to pick them up every day in practice.
If me and Kevin weren't there, that team would have folded up. That team would have packed it in. We kept them going each and every day.
"
KG and Pierce are gone, and it looks like the Nets are folding up. They have one game to prove that's not the case.
Brooklyn should be able to beat the Magic, but the latter will take their roles as spoilers serious as well. If Brooklyn doesn't bring a better effort than it did Monday, it won't do its part to reach the postseason.
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