NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: Tip Times, TV Network Coverage and More for Saturday
It's do-or-die time for several NBA playoff teams, as seven still have yet to produce a victory during Round 1 action. Four of those squads are set to take the hardwood Saturday, and two risk very early exits from the postseason, as they come into the day already down three games to zero.
Both the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks are on the brink of elimination and will go home early with losses Saturday. The Brooklyn Nets are down 2-0 against the Atlanta Hawks and will get a chance to climb back into the series with a home game. The Portland Trail Blazers happen to be in the exact same situation against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Will the struggling teams find a way to right the ship and extend their hopes of continuing on a path toward the NBA finals, or will their efforts pale in comparison to the much stronger play of their respective opponents? Before the answer to that question comes to fruition, let's take a look at Saturday's full schedule and predict a winner for each contest.
Saturday TV Schedule
| Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets | 3 p.m. | TNT | ATL 2-0 |
| Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks | 5:30 p.m. | TNT | CHI 3-0 |
| Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans | 8 p.m. | ESPN | GSW 3-0 |
| Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN | MEM 2-0 |
Saturday Predictions
Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets
If the Nets are going to remain in contention, a win Saturday is necessary. After all, the Hawks weren't able to get their offense going at home, and that may be even more difficult for the East's top seed on the road.
Atlanta is coming off a Game 2 in which it shot a measly 38.9 percent from the floor despite a brilliant 19-point showing from Paul Millsap. The Hawks have also been mediocre in the boards all season, and that continues to be the case, as they lost the rebound battle 49-41 in Game 2.
The Nets must remain strong in the boards to keep their chances of climbing back into this series alive. However, this team's biggest hurdle to overcome is its high amount of turnovers—it accumulated 16 in Game 2. Cutting down on those errors while putting up points in the paint and playing strong perimeter defense will allow Brooklyn to notch a win.
Prediction: Nets win
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks gave it their all in Game 3 of this series, taking the Bulls into double overtime only to fall once again and face the possibility of being eliminated after a sweep. Although, another game in Milwaukee will continue to make this series interesting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams produced the bulk of the Bucks' points in Game 3, and the team shot 42.2 percent from the floor. That's not a bad number against a strong defensive team; however, if Milwaukee can't find a way to contain Chicago's backcourt, it will need to do far better to notch its first postseason victory this year.
Derrick Rose was absolutely on fire for the Bulls in Game 3, dropping 34 points while hitting 5-of-9 from downtown along the way. He was complemented nicely by a 24-point showing from Jimmy Butler, and when factoring in Pau Gasol's ability to take over on the inside, it's easy to speculate Chicago will have too much firepower for the Bucks to handle once again.
Prediction: Bulls win
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
Following two tough losses, the Pelicans finally put together a well-rounded showing at home in Game 3, taking the Warriors into overtime. Unfortunately for New Orleans, a late-game surge from Golden State gave the Warriors all the momentum, and the end result was a Pelicans loss once again.
Anthony Davis continues to be a force on the inside for the Pelicans. He hit 11 of his 22 attempts from the floor for 29 points and added 15 rebounds in Game 3. He was complemented nicely by the surprisingly on-fire Ryan Anderson but received very little support from the remainder of the starters.
On the flip side, Golden State's Stephen Curry continues to light it up. He dropped 40 points while adding nine assists in Game 3 and received plenty of support from Klay Thompson on the perimeter and Draymond Green inside. The Warriors' ability to collect boards and generate second-chance opportunities for their guards will be the difference-maker in this one.
Prediction: Warriors win
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
Portland wasn't able to remotely keep up with the Grizzlies during the series' first two games in Memphis. Rest assured, the Trail Blazers will be hoping things will get turned around quickly at home.
Shooting woes plagued Portland in Game 2, as the team shot just 39.0 percent from the floor. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard combined for 42 points; however, they also combined to shoot just 12-of-36 from the floor. Portland has the size to win the rebound battle, and if those two can get into a groove, the team will have a strong chance to get back into this series.
Memphis continues to play some very well-rounded basketball. The team has been facilitating nicely, accumulating 40 assists in two games. Along with its very strong defense, that's a difficult formula to overcome. Although, the expected return of Arron Afflalo Saturday, according to The Associated Press (via ESPN.com), could be just what Portland needs to get that done.
Prediction: Trail Blazers win
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