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NBA playoff preview: Who can beat Boston or Cleveland?

Analyzing if the Bucks, Knicks, or Pacers have what it takes to beat Boston or Cleveland in the playoffs

The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is winding down with only one spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals remaining to be filled. Out West, however, things are decidedly up in the air.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder take a much-deserved break after winning their first-round playoff matchups, there are four more series yet to be decided.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors could close things out Wednesday night, while the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets can clinch with a win Thursday.

Here’s the complete NBA playoffs schedule, including results in the first round and broadcast information:

NBA playoff bracket: Schedule, results

All times Eastern. *-if necessary

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

Cavaliers win series 4-0

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic

Celtics win series 4-1

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons

Knicks lead the series 3-2

(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

Pacers win series 4-1

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

Thunder win the series 4-0

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

Warriors lead series 3-1

Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106Game 5: Warriors at Rockets | Wednesday, April 30, 7:30 p.m. | TNTGame 6: Rockets at Warriors | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD*Game 7: Warriors at Rockets | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD*

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves lead the series 3-1

Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113Game 5: Timberwolves at Lakers | Wednesday, April 30, 10 p.m. | TNTGame 6: Lakers at Timberwolves | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD*Game 7: Timberwolves at Lakers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD*

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers

Nuggets lead series 3-2

Conference semifinals

The conference semifinals are scheduled to begin on May 5-6, but could possibly move up to May 3-4 depending on outcomes of the first round.

Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

Game 1: Pacers at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD*

(2) Boston Celtics vs. winner of (3) New York Knicks-(6) Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. winner of (4) Los Angeles Clippers-(5) Denver Nuggets

Winner of (2) Houston Rockets-(7) Golden State Warriors vs. winner of (3) Los Angeles Lakers-(6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Conference finals

All times Eastern. *-if necessary

Eastern Conference finals

(Series start could move up to May 19)

Game 1, May 21: TNT, 8 p.m.Game 2, May 23: TNT, 8 p.m.Game 3, May 25: TNT, 8 p.m.Game 4, May 27: TNT, 8 p.m.Game 5, May 29: TNT, 8 p.m.*Game 6, May 31: TNT, 8 p.m.*Game 7, June 2: TNT, 8 p.m.*Western Conference finals

(Series start could move up to May 18)

Game 1, May 20: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.Game 2, May 22: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.Game 3, May 24: ABC, 8:30 p.m.Game 4, May 26: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.Game 5, May 28: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*Game 6, May 30: ESPN, 8:30 p.m.*Game 7, June 1: ESPN, 8 p.m.*2025 NBA Finals schedule

*-if necessary

Game 1, June 5: ABCGame 2, June 8: ABCGame 3, June 11: ABCGame 4, June 13: ABCGame 5, June 16: ABC*Game 6, June 19: ABC*Game 7, June 22: ABC*