NBA Playoffs 2016: Schedule, Predictions, X-Factors for Monday's Round 2 Games
One team down, three to go in the conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs.
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers capped off a thrilling weekend of action with the dismissal of the Atlanta Hawks, which on its own has huge implications for how this summer's free-agency action could unfold.
Three series must still crown a winner, though, with injuries playing a major role in each of Monday's contests. The exception seems like San Antonio-Oklahoma City, which going in seemed like the most competitive series, anyway.
Below, let's take an updated look at the current round of the postseason before breaking down Monday's must-see matchups.
2016 NBA Conference Semifinals Schedule and Results
| Game | Date | ||
| 1. Atlanta vs. Cleveland | CLE 104-93 | ||
| 2. Atlanta vs. Cleveland | CLE 123-98 | ||
| 3. Cleveland vs. Atlanta | CLE 121-108 | ||
| 4. Cleveland vs. Atlanta | CLE 100-99 | ||
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1. Toronto vs. Miami | MIA 102-96 | ||
| 2. Toronto vs. Miami | TOR 96-92 | ||
| 3. Miami vs. Toronto | TOR 95-91 | ||
| 4. Miami vs. Toronto | Monday, May 9 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 5. Toronto vs. Miami | Wednesday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 6. Miami vs. Toronto | Friday, May 13 | TBA | ESPN |
| 7. Toronto vs. Miami | Sunday, May 15 | TBA | TBA |
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1. Golden State vs. Portland | GS 118-106 | ||
| 2. Golden State vs. Portland | GS 110-99 | ||
| 3. Portland vs. Golden State | POR 120-108 | ||
| 4. Portland vs. Golden State | Monday, May 9 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5. Golden State vs. Portland | Wednesday, May 11 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6. Portland vs. Golden State | Friday, May 13 | TBA | ESPN |
| 7. Golden State vs. Portland | Monday, May 16 | 9 p.m. | TNT |
| Western Conference: (2) San Antonino Spurs vs. (3) Oklahoma City Thunder | |||
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1. San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City | SA 124-92 | ||
| 2. San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City | OKC 98-97 | ||
| 3. Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio | SA 100-96 | ||
| 4. Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio | OKC 111-97 | ||
| 5. San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City | Tuesday, May 10 | TBA | TNT |
| 6. Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio | Thursday, May 12 | TBA | ESPN |
| 7. San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City | Sunday, May 15 | TBA | TNT |
Miami vs. Toronto X-Factor: The Replacements
Injuries always play a role in a team's championship push, but the close series between the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors amplifies this line of thinking.
For the Raptors, taking a 2-1 lead by winning two in a row after a loss in the first game of the series turned more than a few heads. It appeared one of the most notorious teams for playoff choke jobs had turned a corner.
Then Jonas Valanciunas went down with an injury.
Valanciunas, the guy who averaged 12.8 points, 9.1 boards and 1.3 blocks per game. The guy who, even as Kyle Lowry struggled to find his shot, kept the Raptors afloat with efficient play, as ESPN Stats & Info revealed while SportsCenter gave a timetable for his return:
It's a good thing the Raptors at least took a series lead because now the staff has to turn to 23-year-old Bismack Biyombo full time underneath the basket—a guy who only averaged 22 minutes per game during the regular season, though he did average eight boards.
If it's any consolation, the Heat might have to go without center Hassan Whiteside for at least one game after he tweaked his knee. Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post provided an update from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra:
Missing the league's most dominant rim protector isn't good news for the Heat—nor is turning to Amar'e Stoudemire underneath the basket. A gigantic liability on defense, the 33-year-old might see his potential minutes go to a small-ball lineup featuring Josh McRoberts and Udonis Haslem.
Monday's game has other major factors, of course. If Lowry has an off shooting night again, forget it. If Goran Dragic isn't running the Heat offense well, it's a bad sign.
But keep in mind the team that has won the battle on the glass in each game has gone on to win. With the Raptors missing such a gigantic part of what makes them click, look for the Heat to capitalize and even this series up by refusing to lose two home games in a row. The small-ball lineup will neutralize Biyombo and push the pace.
Prediction: Heat 99, Raptors 94
Portland vs. Golden State: Damian Lillard
It sounds so simple, right?
Damian Lillard is the key to it all Monday. The Portland Trail Blazers are the first team to beat the Golden State Warriors twice this season. But while impressive, there's a catch—the Warriors haven't lost back-to-back games since last year's trip to the Finals.
In other words, Lillard now has to put history to the test after leading Portland to a Game 3 triumph in 120-108 fashion by way of his 40 points, 10 assists and five boards.
Such a task should come easier than usual with Stephen Curry unlikely to suit up due to a doubtful tag, according to John Dickinson of 95.7 The GAME.
Then again, Curry's absence didn't mean much in Game 1—a Golden State victory by way of a 37-point outburst from Klay Thompson, who helped the Warriors make it two in a row after a 27-point outing in Game 2.
It all falls on Lillard, though perhaps nobody should have found it too surprising he exploded in Game 3, as his home record against the Warriors shows:
Lillard's at home again Monday, doesn't have to worry about Curry and can tie this series up.
Is it that easy? Perhaps. The 40-point outburst was enough to shoo aside 35 points by Thompson and 37 from Draymond Green.
Until Curry can return, it's clear the Warriors aren't getting their best output from players not named Green or Thompson. And against the red-hot Lillard, it's not enough to win on the road.
Look for Lillard to take advantage Monday as he always seems to do against the Warriors and tie this series up, though Curry's return is right around the corner.
Prediction: Trail Blazers 105, Warriors 100
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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