NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Postseason Schedule, Dates and Predictions
The first-round matchups in this year's NBA playoffs have mostly been duds so far. There have been several blowouts, both between opponents with comparable credentials and those with far different resumes.
However, a few series feature teams that are somewhat evenly matched and could end up going the distance.
Let's look at the remaining schedules for all eight series, predict the final outcome of each matchup and highlight what should happen in some of the more entertaining series.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Detroit at Cleveland | Sunday, April 17 | CLE 106-101 | |
| 2: Detroit at Cleveland | Wednesday, April 20 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 3: Cleveland at Detroit | Friday, April 22 | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4: Cleveland at Detroit | Sunday, April 24 | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| *5: Detroit at Cleveland | Tuesday, April 26 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Cleveland at Detroit | Thursday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Detroit at Cleveland | Saturday, April 30 | TBD | TNT |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Indiana at Toronto | Saturday, April 16 | IND 100-90 | |
| 2: Indiana at Toronto | Monday, April 18 | TOR 98-87 | |
| 3: Toronto at Indiana | Thursday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 4: Toronto at Indiana | Saturday, April 23 | 3 p.m. | TNT |
| *5: Indiana at Toronto | Tuesday, April 26 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Toronto at Indiana | Friday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Indiana at Toronto | Sunday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Charlotte at Miami | Sunday, April 17 | MIA 123-91 | |
| 2: Charlotte at Miami | Wednesday, April 20 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 3: Miami at Charlotte | Saturday, April 23 | 5:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 4: Miami at Charlotte | Monday, April 25 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| *5: Charlotte at Miami | Wednesday, April 27 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Miami at Charlotte | Friday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Charlotte at Miami | Sunday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Boston at Atlanta | Saturday, April 16 | ATL 102-101 | |
| 2: Boston at Atlanta | Tuesday, April 19 | ATL 89-72 | |
| 3: Atlanta at Boston | Friday, April 22 | 8 p.m. | ESPN 2 |
| 4: Atlanta at Boston | Sunday, April 24 | 6 p.m. | TNT |
| *5: Boston at Atlanta | Tuesday, April 26 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Atlanta at Boston | Thursday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Boston at Atlanta | Saturday, April 30 | TBD | TNT |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Houston at Golden State | Saturday, April 16 | GS 104-78 | |
| 2: Houston at Golden State | Monday, April 18 | GS 115-106 | |
| 3: Golden State at Houston | Thursday, April 21 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 4: Golden State at Houston | Sunday, April 24 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| *5: Houston at Golden State | Wednesday, April 27 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Golden State at Houston | Friday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Houston at Golden State | Sunday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Memphis at San Antonio | Sunday, April 17 | SA 106-74 | |
| 2: Memphis at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 19 | SA 94-68 | |
| 3: San Antonio at Memphis | Friday, April 22 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4: San Antonio at Memphis | Sunday, April 24 | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| *5: Memphis at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 26 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: San Antonio at Memphis | Thursday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Memphis at San Antonio | Saturday, April 30 | TBD | TNT |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Dallas at Oklahoma City | Saturday, April 16 | OKC 108-70 | |
| 2: Dallas at Oklahoma City | Monday, April 18 | DAL 85-84 | |
| 3: Oklahoma City at Dallas | Thursday, April 21 | 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 4: Oklahoma City at Dallas | Saturday, April 23 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| *5: Dallas at Oklahoma City | Monday, April 25 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| *6: Oklahoma City at Dallas | Thursday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Dallas at Oklahoma City | Saturday, April 30 | TBD | TNT |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1: Portland at Los Angeles | Sunday, April 17 | LAC 115-95 | |
| 2: Portland at Los Angeles | Wednesday, April 20 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 3: Los Angeles at Portland | Saturday, April 23 | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4: Los Angeles at Portland | Monday, April 25 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| *5: Portland at Los Angeles | Wednesday, April 27 | TBD | TBD |
| *6: Los Angeles at Portland | Friday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| *7: Portland at Los Angeles | Sunday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Eastern Conference | ||
| No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons | Cavaliers lead 1-0 | Cavaliers in 5 |
| No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Indiana Pacers | Series tied 1-1 | Raptors in 7 |
| No. 3 Miami Heat vs. No. 6 Charlotte Hornets | Heat lead 1-0 | Heat in 5 |
| No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Boston Celtics | Hawks lead 2-0 | Hawks in 5 |
| Western Conference | ||
| No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Houston Rockets | Warriors lead 2-0 | Warriors in 5 |
| No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies | Spurs lead 2-0 | Spurs in 4 |
| No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks | Series tied 1-1 | Thunder in 5 |
| No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers | Clippers lead 1-0 | Clippers in 5 |
Predictions for Tightly Contested Series
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers (Series tied 1-1)
Who are the Toronto Raptors? It's a question fans are still trying to answer, even after Toronto won an impressive 56 games during the regular season. The Raptors have lost in the first round in the last two years despite being the higher seed, and look in danger of being upset again this season.
The difference in Toronto's performances between Games 1 and 2 against Indiana was stark. The Raptors' energy level on defense clearly improved, inspired by their home crowd at the Air Canada Centre. They conceded an efficient 28 points to Paul George, but focused on shutting down his supporting cast—and it worked.
Moving forward in the series, the Raptors' No. 1 priority has to be getting DeMar DeRozan going. The All-Star shooting guard has shot just 10 of 37 from the field (27 percent) and was playing poorly enough to warrant zero minutes in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
Indiana, meanwhile, has nothing to lose heading back home for Game 3. The team has to get more consistency from its role players, but that's usually something that comes with the territory of being at home.
Overall, though, Toronto's superior depth and home-court advantage will help pull out the series in seven games.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks (Series tied 1-1)
The most shocking single-game result of the playoffs so far has to be the Thunder's Game 2 choke job against the Mavericks. Oklahoma City has consistently had trouble in crunch time this season, but the team shouldn't have needed that game to go down to the wire on its home floor.
Kevin Durant shot 7 of 33 from the field and committed seven turnovers in the contest, which is certainly the worst playoff game of his career. Even so, the Mavericks won by just a single point.
Give credit to Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle for coaching his significantly less talented team to a win, but KD isn't going to play so poorly again. Remember, Game 1 was a 38-point triumph for the Thunder.
It's reasonable to expect the veteran Mavericks to be competitive in their building for Games 3 and 4, but this is Oklahoma City with Durant and Russell Westbrook we're talking about. Motivated by the egg they laid Monday night, Oklahoma City should wear down an old Mavericks team in five games.
Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets (Heat lead 1-0)
Game 1 between the Heat and Hornets was anything but competitive, as Miami won 123-91 and looked invincible offensively. But things should get a bit more competitive the rest of the way.
First off, Charlotte's defense has been one of the better units in the league all season, ranking ninth in defensive efficiency, per ESPN.com. The Hornets were also abnormally unlucky Sunday night, with the Heat making 33 of 55 contested shots (60 percent), according to the SportVU tracking data on NBA.com.
That said, Miami's Hassan Whiteside will continue to be a problem inside. The 7'0" center is too long and athletic for any of Charlotte's big men, and the Heat's fantastic depth and athleticism at most positions is a huge plus.
The collective playoff experience on the Heat roster also makes them a safe bet to win close games, which is why they will take the series in five games. Miami won't get its other three wins as easily as Game 1, though.
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