NBA Playoffs 2015: TV Schedule, Online Coverage and Predictions
Sunday's NBA playoff action features four games. Three of them are elimination contests. The Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to finish up sweeps in their series. The San Antonio Spurs are after a commanding 3-1 advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here's a look at the viewing info and predictions for April 26:
| Cleveland at Boston | Noon | ABC | Watch ESPN | Cleveland |
| Toronto at Washington | 2:30 p.m. | ABC | Watch ESPN | Washington |
| Houston at Dallas | 5:30 p.m. | TNT | TNT Drama | Houston |
| L.A. Clippers at San Antonio | 8 p.m. | TNT | TNT Drama | San Antonio |
Cavs Will Close Out Celtics
The Cavs' starting five has dominated the Boston Celtics' starters all series. Cleveland's first five has outscored Boston's 250-143.
The Celtics are built to get a ton of production from their bench, but when the first unit is getting dominated in this way, it is too much for any reserve unit to handle.
Boston's only chance is to run out to a huge early lead.
If the game is close down the stretch—as I expect it will be—LeBron James won't allow his team to come up short in an elimination game. Look for James to take over with his scoring and create three-point opportunities for forward Kevin Love and streaky shooter J.R. Smith en route to a series-clincher.
Harden and Howard Will Push H-Town Past Dallas
Star shooting guard James Harden and center Dwight Howard have been dominant for the Rockets in their series against the Dallas Mavericks. Real GM shows where both stars rank in player efficiency through the start of the postseason:
Because Howard has accepted his role as a glass-cleaner and rim protector with the occasional offensive touch, it has freed Harden to fire at will.
On the strength of this dynamic, Houston's offense is flourishing against the defenseless Mavs.
The Rockets are averaging 119.6 points per game in the series and looked to effectively break the backs of the Mavs with their 130-128 win in Dallas in Game 3. The Mavs will not recover as the Rockets complete the sweep.
Washington's Backcourt and Pierce Will Finish Sweep of Raptors
John Wall and Bradley Beal have outplayed the Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Washington's starting backcourt has outscored Toronto's 38.3 to 31.6 points per game.
Lowry is the one who isn't carrying his weight for the Raptors. In the series, he's averaging just 9.3 points per game.
Point guard Wall has looked like an MVP candidate, scoring 18 points per game and dishing an insane 13 assists per contest. To augment the Wizards' backcourt, the playoff-toughened Paul Pierce has given Washington the clutch third scorer it needs.
He's averaging 16 points per game in the series, and that's the type of production the team has needed. Playing on the road, Toronto doesn't have the type of player who can lead his team to victory in such a hopeless situation. The Wizards will also win via sweep.
San Antonio's Defense Will Push Champs to 3-1 Edge
Forward Kawhi Leonard has been amazing in the Spurs' first-round series against the Clippers, but it's been the defending champions' defense that has turned the tables in this series.
The Clippers won Game 1 by 15 points and looked confident in doing so. They lost Game 2 at home and were blown out by 27 points in Game 3.
Being held to just 73 points in the most recent loss seemed demoralizing, as floor general Chris Paul was held to just seven points and four assists with six turnovers. Paul probably won't play that poorly again, but the Spurs are incredibly tough to beat at home in the playoffs.
San Antonio has won 11 of its last 13 tilts at home. The Spurs will run that record to 12 of 14 with a win in Game 4.
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