Can the Minnesota Timberwolves reach their first conference finals appearance since 2004? Can the New York Knicks get back to the conference finals for the first time since 2000? Can anyone challenge the Boston Celtics in the East? Are the Denver Nuggets still motoring toward their second consecutive NBA Finals appearance with a chance to repeat as champions?
Can the Timberwolves, with a healthy roster (save for their head coach Chris Finch who ruptured a patellar tendon during a game) slow down Nikola Jokic and Denver’s offense? Can the Indiana Pacers find enough defense against the Knicks?
Are you ready for more breakout playoffs performances from Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
The NBA’s East and West conference semifinals are here, and answers will start to become more clear with each game. Check out the schedules, times, dates, TV info, key stats and who to watch:
Eastern Conference semifinals schedule
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers or No. 5 Orlando Magic
Game 1, Tuesday: at Boston, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: at Boston, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3, May 11: at Cleveland or Orlando, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4, May 13: at Cleveland or Orlando, time TBD, TNT
Game 5, May 15: at Boston, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 17: at Cleveland or Orlando, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: at Boston, time and TV TBD
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
Game 1, Monday: at New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2, Wednesday: at New York, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 10: at Indiana, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4: May 12: at Indiana, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 5, May 14: at New York, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 17: at Indiana, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: at New York, time and TV TBD
Season series: Indiana won 2-1
Key stats: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 points and 9.0 assists in the first round, and the Knicks’ defense will be tested against Indiana’s offense which scored 119.4 points per 100 possessions in the first round.
Who to watch: Brunson has been special, and he’s getting scoring help from Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam make it work for the Pacers with a versatile roster.
Western Conference semifinals schedule
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Game 1, Tuesday: at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: at Oklahoma City, time TBD, ESPN
Game 3, May 11: at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4, May 13: at Dallas, time TBD, TNT
Game 5, May 15: at Oklahoma City, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 18: at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 20: at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Season series: Thunder won 3-1
Key stats: Can the Mavericks’ offense (115.9 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs) score enough against Oklahoma City’s defense (93.5 points allowed per 100 possessions)?
Who to watch: Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP finalist, and teammate Jalen Williams, a second-year guard-forward, is one of the league’s rising stars. For Dallas, guard Luka Doncic, another MVP finalist, and guard Kyrie Irving provide offensive fireworks.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
Game 1, Saturday: at Denver, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Monday: at Denver, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 10: at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4, May 12: at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5, May 14: at Denver, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 16: at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: at Denver, time and TV TBD
Season series: Tied 2-2
Key stats: Not known for its offense, Minnesota posted a league-best 123.2 points per 100 possessions in the first round, and Denver’s versatile offense was held in check at times in the first round at 113.4 points per 100 possessions.
Who to watch: Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been sensational, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic is one of the most gifted centers to ever play in the NBA and is likely to win his third MVP in the past four seasons.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs 2024: Second round scores, schedule, times, TV, key stats
