NBA Playoffs Schedule 2016: TV, Livestream Guide for Monday's Round 2 Matchups
Monday's NBA playoffs schedule is light on action but will go a long way in establishing the tone of two second-round series.
In the Eastern Conference, the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers will look to continue their momentum against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1. The Cavs swept the Detroit Pistons in the opening round, while the Hawks took care of the Boston Celtics in six.
On the other side of the bracket is a Game 2 that has major implications for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 2 is never a must-win—especially for a road team—but the pressure is on after the Spurs routed OKC 124-92 in Game 1 on Saturday.
Monday's games won't have the drama of two Game 7s from Sunday, but both are important in shaping series for two serious NBA Finals candidates.
Here's a look at the TV schedule along with a preview and prediction for each game.
| 2 | Hawks at Cavs | 7 p.m. | TNT | TNT Overtime |
| 2 | Thunder at Spurs | 9:30 p.m. | TNT | TNT Overtime |
Cavs vs. Hawks
The Cavaliers have to be happy with their outlook rolling into Round 2. The series with Detroit featured a close game to close out the series, but it gave them some time off while the Hawks were duking it out with the Celtics.
Now, they'll take on a team they swept in the 2014-15 Eastern Conference Finals and in the regular season.
The Hawks shouldn't be underestimated, though. Veteran player Richard Jefferson commented on Atlanta's depth and its ability to force teams into difficult shots, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com:
"They're a well-coached team and they play a lot of guys so a lot of guys have opportunities to make impacts on the game. No one plays a ton of high crazy, crazy minutes so everyone is typically fresh and playing at a high speed. That's why they are so difficult. It's never about your opponent, it's always about how well you execute -- if you don't turn over the ball, if you're taking good shots and if you're knocking down shots.
"
Execution will be key for the Cavs to get off to a good start against an energetic Hawks team. The good news for them is that they've been getting a boost from key role players thus far in the playoffs.
Synergy Sports Tech noted the scoring efficiency of J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova from their series with the Pistons:
The Hawks defense is good. It's third in defensive efficiency in the playoffs thus far, according to NBA.com. However, the Cavaliers offense has been the most impressive in the postseason to this point, with an average of 115.8 points per 100 possessions.
Atlanta should be able to push Cleveland in ways the Pistons couldn't. However, how long this series lasts should be up to how well the Cavs are playing. If they look anything like they did against the Pistons, this series should take no more than five games.
Prediction: Cavs 110, Hawks 100
Thunder vs. Spurs (Spurs lead 1-0)
The San Antonio Spurs used their first game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to make a statement.
The statement was that they are serious contenders to win the title. San Antonio ran the Thunder out of the building at home at AT&T Center in a 32-point victory that should have the rest of the field sweating.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for the Spurs with a 38-point performance, but fans shouldn't read too much into the outcome yet. San Antonio won in part because it shot 60 percent from the three-point line, while OKC shot just 41.2 percent from the field as a team.
The Spurs are a great offensive team, but 60 percent isn't a sustainable number. What is sustainable, however, is the ball movement San Antonio utilized in Game 1. ESPN Stats & Info highlighted the difference between the two teams' ability to get everyone involved in the offense:
That's an aspect of the game the Thunder will need to improve as the series progresses. OKC is used to expecting Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to create instant offense, but it's going to be difficult for KD to be his usual high-scoring self.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard has done an exceptional job against Durant in the past. Matt Moore of CBS Sports noted Leonard's success against Durant in the regular season:
It would be shocking if the Spurs continued to win in the fashion they dominated Game 1. Expect the Thunder to figure out ways for their offense to be competitive while keeping the Spurs somewhat in check on the defensive side of the floor.
Still, the Spurs have been dominant at home all season, and that should continue.
Prediction: Spurs 105, Thunder 98
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
