NBA Playoffs 2017: 1st-Round Schedule, TV Info and Underrated Potential Series
Intrigue surrounds the NBA playoffs as the regular season comes to a close.
The outlook seems pretty cut and dry heading into the first round most years. But the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to give up on the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and the Golden State Warriors still have a returning-from-injury Kevin Durant shaking off some rust.
Add in dangerous teams like the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets, and nothing is as it seems heading into the playoff bracket.
Below, let's take a look at the first-round schedule and point out some potential encounters fans won't want to overlook.
2017 NBA Playoffs 1st Round
| Saturday, April 15 | 1 | 3 p.m. | ABC |
| Saturday, April 15 | 1 | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Saturday, April 15 | 1 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Saturday, April 15 | 1 | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 16 | 1 | 3 p.m. | ABC |
| Sunday, April 16 | 1 | 5:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Sunday, April 16 | 1 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Sunday, April 16 | 1 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Monday, April 17 | 2 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Monday, April 17 | 2 | 7/8 p.m. | TNT |
| Monday, April 17 | 2 | 9/10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Tuesday, April 18 | 2 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Tuesday, April 18 | 2 | 7/8 p.m. | TNT |
| Tuesday, April 18 | 2 | 9/10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Wednesday, April 19 | 2 | 7/8 p.m. | TNT |
| Wednesday, April 19 | 2 | 9/10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Thursday, April 20 | 3 | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Thursday, April 20 | 3 | 7/8 p.m. | TNT |
| Thursday, April 20 | 3 | 9/10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Friday, April 21 | 3 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Friday, April 21 | 3 | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Friday, April 21 | 3 | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, April 22 | 3 or 4 | 2 p.m. | TNT |
| Saturday, April 22 | 3 or 4 | 4:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Saturday, April 22 | 3 or 4 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Saturday, April 22 | 3 or 4 | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 23 | 4 | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| Sunday, April 23 | 4 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Friday, April 28 | 6 * | 7 p.m. | ESPNEWS |
| Friday, April 28 | 6 * | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Friday, April 28 | 6 * | 9:30 p.m. | ESPNEWS |
| Friday, April 28 | 6 * | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sunday, April 30 | 7 * | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| Sunday, April 30 | 7 * | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
Schedule courtesy of Sports Media Watch.
Underrated Potential Series
Boston vs. Chicago
The Boston Celtics perhaps avoiding the Cavaliers by grabbing the top seed might not be such a great development.
If things fall the right way, Boston will need to deal with eighth-seeded Chicago, a dangerous situation considering the teams split the season series this year.
Chicago hasn't been overly hot to close the season, but wins against Cleveland, Atlanta and New Orleans since the end of March speak to the team's ability to turn it on at times, led by a veteran core of Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler.
That said, Chicago probably should've been in a better position, as CBSSports.com's Matt Moore pointed out:
"The Bulls had literally the easiest schedule in the league with 10 days to go and are very much in danger of missing out. Incredible.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 9, 2017"
The fact the Bulls aren't is bad news for the Celtics. In a February loss to the Bulls, both Butler and Isaiah Thomas dropped 29 points and the Celtics shot better from the floor, yet the Celtics still lost the battle on the glass, 36-27.
That speaks to Chicago's ability to bully the Celtics underneath the basket and get a win no matter how many shots the Celtics hit from deep. With Wade's experience and a possible Rajon Rondo revenge narrative, the Bulls can make this series go to seven games.
Toronto vs. Milwaukee
At first pass, this doesn't look like much of a matchup considering the Toronto Raptors hold a 3-1 edge against the Milwaukee Bucks this year.
But two words change the complexion of this series. Two long words—Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Toronto has had to face the reality of no longer being a big dog in the Eastern Conference. Boston took a rise and Washington isn't far behind. A team like Milwaukee that causes matchup nightmares won't be the easiest out over a seven-game series.
Antetokounmpo dropped 19, 30, 29 and 21 points on the Raptors this year, as Toronto doesn't have anyone who can run with him. The key for the Bucks is getting complementary production from a Malcolm Brogdon or Khris Middleton, which they did in a March 101-94 win as they went for 17 and 24 points, respectively.
Toronto, helped along by the arrival of Serge Ibaka and the usual cast of stars like DeMar DeRozan, have one of the Association's better home-court advantages. But shutting down guys like Antetokounmpo and Paul George has been a problem all year, meaning this series could go the distance.
Los Angeles vs. Utah
Talk about a case of old against new.
Fans know all about the Los Angeles Clippers, a team still scratching and clawing away in the deep Western Conference. Chris Paul and Co. have landed in a trap of sorts, though, by having to deal with the up-and-coming Utah Jazz.
The Clippers won the season series 3-1, yet it's hard to ignore the budding trio of Gordon Hayward, George Hill and Rudy Gobert. The growth by the Jazz over the years is almost staggering and speaks to the wave of confidence the team rides into the playoffs.
Look at a note by Jazz radio host David Locke:
In this matchup, Gobert can bang down low with anyone the Clippers trot out, Hayward causes matchup problems and few can keep up with Hill away from the ball.
The Clippers aren't a bad team by any means; they are simply a known commodity—hence six wins in a row entering Wednesday. But the playoffs could be the time Utah enters known-commodity territory as well, once again entering the mindshare of fans—and deservingly so.
This has the feel of a passing-of-the-torch series. Whether the Clippers can prevent it or Jazz steal it is worth setting aside the time to watch each game.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
