NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: Game Times, TV Coverage for Thursday Game 6 Action
NBA first-round action is wrapping up, and Thursday's slate features a pair of elimination games in two of the more intriguing series this postseason.
At 7 p.m. ET, play tips off with the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Chicago Bulls in a Game 6 that didn't seem likely to be necessary when the Bulls were leading the series 3-0.
At 9:30 p.m. ET, this year's best first-round series—it's a shame that one of these two will be gone after just a round—faces its potential conclusion when the Los Angeles Clippers hit the road to keep their playoff hopes alive against the San Antonio Spurs.
| 7 p.m. ET | Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks | CHI leads 3-2 | TNT |
| 9:30 p.m. ET | Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs | SAS leads 3-2 | TNT |
Bulls vs. Bucks
The Bulls probably didn't expect this series to head to Milwaukee for a second time when they pulled out a 92-90 victory on the Bradley Center floor in Game 3, taking a 3-0 lead—a deficit no team has ever crawled back from.
But after a thrilling finish to Game 4 in Milwaukee, featuring a last-second shot by Jerryd Bayless to win it for the Bucks, Jason Kidd's crew extended the series back to Chicago. And with the Bulls falling flat on their home floor Monday in Game 5, momentum has suddenly shifted Milwaukee's way.
The young Bucks are now riding high, returning back to their home arena, where they went 23-18 over the regular season. Game 5 featured solid performances from two Bucks who had been struggling in the postseason: Khris Middleton and Michael Carter-Williams, who combined for 43 points on 18-of-31 shooting. Carter-Williams dished out nine assists and Middleton came away with four steals.
Milwaukee, which finished the regular season fourth in defense, stymied the Bulls backcourt, forcing Derrick Rose to shoot 5-of-20 and Jimmy Butler to shoot 5-of-21. Pau Gasol was the lone source of offense, shooting 9-of-15 for 25 points, but the team shot just 34 percent from the field.
Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick sat down with Stephen Nelson to discuss what exactly the Bulls are facing:
It's a nearly impossible hole to dig out of, but these surging Bucks finally seem acclimated to postseason play, and match up well with Chicago thanks to their own athleticism. Energized by their crowd in what could be the final home game of the season, it's certainly possible that Milwaukee forces the series back to the United Center for an unexpected Game 7.
Clippers vs. Spurs
After five games, the Clippers-Spurs series has already proved to be the best set of the first round, and maybe the best series we'll see until the conference finals stage.
Three of the five games have been decided by single digits, most recently in Los Angeles with the Spurs coming away with a tough Game 5 victory on the road. The 111-107 win put the Clips in a 3-2 series hole, now facing elimination on Thursday.
Blake Griffin, having the series of his life, is averaging 23.8 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists—all leading the Clippers through five playoff games. He racked up 21 first-half points on Tuesday, but slowed down in the second half and missed a last-second shot with L.A. down by one that could've given his team a series lead entering Game 6.
After the miss, DeAndre Jordan illegally tipped the ball back in while it was still above the cylinder, blowing a chance at a possession and a potential win.
B/R's Ethan Skolnick discussed whether it could've meant the series for L.A.:
The Spurs have succeeded in these playoffs just as they usually do—well-balanced and formulaically. Four Spurs are averaging double digits, led by Kawhi Leonard's 23.4 points. Tim Duncan, averaging more than 17, led the way for San Antonio in Game 5, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 boards in 39 minutes. The 39-year-old has done a little bit of everything offensively, and even came up with a crucial block on Griffin in the closing minutes on Tuesday.
Tony Parker, battling various injuries, hasn't been able to help San Antonio as he typically does. He's averaged just 9.6 points and 2.6 assists this postseason over 29 minutes—he's a career 18.7 point-per-game scorer in the playoffs. Griffin has been managing most of the scoring, but with Parker so ineffective, it puts even more of a spotlight on Chris Paul to dominate from the point guard spot.
San Antonio is never an easy place to play, but this series has seven games written all over it. The Spurs are arguably the toughest opponent to face on the road in an elimination game, but Los Angeles took a game there earlier in the series and certainly has the talent to extend this series back to their home floor in a Game 7.
