NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: Dates, TV Info for Remainder of Conference Semifinals
We're guaranteed at least a Game 6 in each of the four conference semifinals series in the 2015 NBA playoffs. Considering how the round has unfolded, a handful of Game 7 matchups should be on the horizon as well.
That much was decided on Tuesday night, when the Houston Rockets avoided elimination with a resounding win over the Los Angeles Clippers to push the series back to L.A. The Clips join LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the two teams that can wrap up their series in six.
Two more teams will join them by going up 3-2 on their opponents with a big Game 5 win on Wednesday. Take a look below for the latest schedule to make sure you don't miss out.
2015 NBA Playoffs Schedule
| Game 1 | Warriors win 101-86 | - |
| Game 2 | Grizzlies win 97-90 | - |
| Game 3 | Grizzlies win 99-89 | - |
| Game 4 | Warriors win 101-84 | - |
| Game 5 (at Golden State) | Wednesday, May 13 at 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6 (at Memphis) | Friday, May 15 at 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Golden State) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
| Game 1 | Bulls win 99-92 | - |
| Game 2 | Cavaliers win 106-91 | - |
| Game 3 | Bulls win 99-96 | - |
| Game 4 | Cavaliers win 86-84 | - |
| Game 5 | Cavaliers win 106-101 | - |
| Game 6 (at Chicago) | Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Cleveland) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TNT |
| Game 1 | Wizards win 104-98 | - |
| Game 2 | Hawks win 106-90 | - |
| Game 3 | Wizards win 103-101 | - |
| Game 4 | Hawks win 106-101 | - |
| Game 5 (at Atlanta) | Wednesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 6 (at Washington) | Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Atlanta) | Monday, May 18 at 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Game 1 | Clippers win 117-101 | - |
| Game 2 | Rockets win 115-109 | - |
| Game 3 | Clippers win 124-99 | - |
| Game 4 | Clippers win 128-95 | - |
| Game 5 | Rockets win 124-103 | - |
| Game 6 (at Los Angeles) | Thursday, May 14 at 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 7* (at Houston) | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
Game 5 to Watch: Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
Game in and game out, the feeling seems to change regarding whether the Washington Wizards truly need John Wall in order to get past the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
They had him in Game 1, and he dazzled with a spectacular all-around performance, contributing 18 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. But he fractured five bones in his left wrist and hand in the process, which has caused him to miss the last three games.
And to say those three games have been a mixed bag would be putting it lightly.
In Wall's first missed game, the Hawks evened the score with a resounding 16-point victory that made his absence all the more noticeable. But as the series shifted to Washington, the Wizards showed their moxie by taking Game 3. Game 4 could have been theirs as well if Paul Pierce replicated his buzzer-beating heroics from two days before.
Heading into a pivotal Game 5 on the road, however, Wall has taken steps in his recovery and is trying to make a comeback, per the Associated Press via NBA.com.
"He's moving in the right direction," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "The swelling is down again. Minimal swelling. He wanted to dribble the ball a little bit. Get the feel of it here."
Backup point guard Ramon Sessions and Bradley Beal have still been outplaying the Hawks guards without Wall, but that began to change in Game 4. Jeff Teague exploded for his biggest game of the series, dropping 26 points and eight assists. Just as well, Dennis Schroder has put up 32 in his last two games.
To be fair to Washington, Beal has taken it upon himself to alleviate the burden of Wall's absence, as NBA.com noted:
The Wizards have undoubtedly been able to hang with Atlanta with Beal taking on more of a facilitative role without Wall, but he's still coming off a playoff career-high 34 points in Game 4. Wall's return would be immense in taking pressure off of Beal, who is being double-teamed and turning toward a young Otto Porter Jr. as the team's second option.
But Wall or no Wall, the Hawks should inevitably be in the driver's seat with the chance to go up 3-2 at home and put some of these early playoff struggles in the rear-view mirror.
Atlanta finished 14 games up on Washington during the regular season for a reason. The public seems to be reminded of the Hawks' ability every time their excellent ball movement is on display, but that has been somewhat rare in this series.
If the Hawks' struggles have more to do with the Wizards than themselves, it will become apparent Wednesday—with or without Wall.
