NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: Remaining Dates and Breakdown for Conference Finals
A lesson we continually learn in sports is never to count out a team until it is officially eliminated. For the NBA playoffs, this is something that must be remembered.
Both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals began with one team taking a 3-0 lead. While this usually means an easy sweep, no one is planning on quitting until there is literally zero chance to stay alive.
The Houston Rockets proved as much with a Game 4 win to stay alive against the Golden State Warriors. Now it will be up to the Atlanta Hawks to fight for their survival against the Cleveland Cavaliers. No matter what happens, each game will remain a battle you won't want to miss.
Eastern Conference Finals
| 4 | Tuesday, May 26 | Cavaliers | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5* | Thursday, May 28 | Hawks | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Saturday, May 30 | Cavaliers | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 7* | Monday, June 1 | Hawks | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
Unfortunately for NBA fans, much of this series has been focused on those not on the court.
The Cavaliers have played the past few weeks without Kevin Love and are now dealing with an injury to Kyrie Irving, who is a game-time decision for Game 4 with a knee injury.
On the other side, DeMarre Carroll seemed likely to miss time for the Hawks, but instead, it is Kyle Korver currently dealing with ankle issues. Add this to Al Horford being ejected in Game 3, and there were a lot of reserves on the floor at the end of the game.
Despite these issues, Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders explained why all that mattered was one man:
LeBron James didn't have his most efficient game, shooting just 14-of-37 from the floor. However, he legitimately put everything he had into winning and came out successful. If he can keep it up while continually hitting the big shots late, the Cavaliers will be in great shape throughout the playoffs.
Just as important, Cleveland has gotten a lot of production from its role players like J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson. These guys weren't expected to be big performers during the regular season but have stepped up in the playoffs to give their team an advantage.
The Hawks still have plenty of talent with Carroll, Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague. Game 4 was especially impressive for Teague, as the point guard finished with 30 points while taking over for the team late. The problem is the team isn't built for any one person taking over.
Atlanta hasn't had the balance it showed during the regular season and will need to get it back if it wants any chance of victory in this series.
Western Conference Finals
| 5 | Wednesday, May 27 | Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 6* | Friday, May 29 | Rockets | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7* | Sunday, May 31 | Warriors | 9 p.m. | ESPN |
The Rockets deserve a lot of credit for their ability to fight with their backs against the wall. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale broke down the squad's turnaround in elimination games:
Interestingly, Houston won all four of its elimination games by double digits, showing the success hasn't been luck.
The best player during this stretch is undoubtedly James Harden, who went for 45 points on 13-of-22 from the field in the Game 4 win. As head coach Kevin McHale explained, via ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins, he took out his anger on his opponent:
"He was extremely unhappy [Sunday at practice], and he took it out, but that's what you've got to do. You've got to take it out on them. It doesn't do any good to take it out on the trainer and your teammates and your coach. You take it out on the other team, and he did it. He went out, and he played a hell of a game.
"
Harden has truly been a superstar this entire series with averages of 32 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and a 48 percent shooting mark from three-point range. The problem is he is usually forced to do way too much for himself on this Rockets team.
While six Houston players finished in double figures Monday, it's hard to expect this type of performance each time out. Golden State simply has more depth beyond its best player in Stephen Curry.
With Klay Thompson coming alive and a defense that is certain to play better in Game 5, the Warriors should have a good chance of closing out the series at home.
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