Editor’s Note: See the NBA playoff schedule on Saturday, May 2
For the second straight night, a trio of NBA playoff Game 6s are on the schedule.
On Thursday, April 30, two teams wrapped up their series – the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference after their record-setting rout of the Atlanta Hawks, and the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference after their inspiring performance sent the Denver Nuggets packing. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers won for a second straight time to force a Game 7 with the Boston Celtics this weekend.
Who will clinch on Friday, May 1? Or who might force a Game 7?
Two series in the Eastern Conference open the night, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons against the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, and the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers against the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors. Then it’s the 4-5 matchup in the West when the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets square off.
The Magic, up 3-2, have a clinching opportunity for a second consecutive game, and this time it’s on their home court, where they’ve beaten the Pistons twice in this series. If former No. 1 overall picks Paolo Banchero (2022) for the Magic and Cade Cunningham (2021) for the Pistons put on a show like they did in Game 5 when both scored 45 points, NBA fans are in for a treat.
Orlando is eyeing its first playoff series win since 2010, while the Pistons will try to avoid being the rare No. 1 to fall to a No. 8.
Stream NBA playoffs tonight on Prime Video
The Cavaliers-Raptors series is the only one in which the home team has won every game. The Raptors hope that trend continues in Game 6, while the Cavs, who rallied for the Game 5 win, are one victory from advancing to the second round for a third straight season.
After the Lakers went up, 3-0, JJ Redick’s team had a chance to be the first in the Western Conference to advance to the second round earlier this week. But after two losses, their first-round series against the Rockets is the last one going in the West. And the Lakers, who have been held under 100 points in the losses, are in a real battle as the Rockets attempt to do something no other team has done in playoff history in coming back from a 3-0 deficit.
For Game 6, though, the Rockets will continue to be without Kevin Durant, who will miss his fifth game in the series and fourth consecutive with an injury.
Here’s more on the NBA playoffs on May 1, including start times, where to watch, an updated bracket, scores and more:
What are the NBA games tonight? NBA playoff schedule, start times
Here are the three NBA playoff games on May 1:
Times are Central
NBA playoff odds tonight
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
What channel are the NBA games on tonight? Where to watch on TV, live stream
All three NBA playoff games will stream exclusively on Prime Video.
A subscription is required for the streaming service.
Who has advanced in the NBA playoffs?
Ahead of the three Game 6s on May 1, the New York Knicks are the only team in the Eastern Conference to advance to the second round, while one spot remains open in the Western Conference.
Here are the teams in the second round:
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
NBA playoff bracket
All NBA playoff series are best-of-seven:
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference first round
Eastern Conference semifinals
Western Conference
Western Conference first round
Western Conference semifinals
NBA playoff series, schedule, results
Here are the results for every NBA playoff series:
Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6)
New York Knicks win series, 4-2
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5)
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (8)
Oklahoma City Thunder win series, 4-0
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7)
San Antonio Spurs win series, 4-1
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Minnesota Timberwolves win series, 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NBA playoffs tonight, TV schedule, where to watch, teams to advance
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
