The Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder protected home court.
Now, the top-seeded teams in the Eastern and Western conferences head out on the road in each of their second-round matchups, starting on Saturday, May 9, seeking 3-0 series leads.
The No. 1 Pistons continue their series with the No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers followed by the No. 1 Thunder taking their show to Los Angeles for Game 3 vs. the Lakers to conclude the day’s action.
The Pistons, winners of five straight playoff games dating back to their first-round series with the Orlando Magic, have built a 2-0 lead against the experienced Cavaliers behind fast starts, the ability to finish and the playoff’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense. They’re also now getting significant contributions beyond just Cade Cunningham as Tobias Harris is averaging over 20 points per game in the series. The Cavs, however, hope returning home turns the tide in this series. After the Minnesota Timberwolves lost on May 8 to the San Antonio Spurs in a Game 3, the Cavs are just one of only two teams yet to lose a home playoff game this postseason.
The other is the Thunder, who have won every game in the playoffs – home or away. OKC actually trailed at halftime for the first time in the playoffs in Game 2 against the Lakers, but like the Thunder typically do in the second half, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Co. won going away. The 125-107 victory was the second consecutive 18-point win for the Thunder.
As this series shifts to LA, the Thunder appear to be in cruise control as they continue their title defense.
Here’s what to know about the NBA playoffs on May 9, including the start times, where to watch, and updated bracket, schedule and scores:
NBA games today: NBA playoff schedule, start times
Two Game 3s are on the playoff schedule on Saturday, May 9:
Times are Central
What channel are the NBA games on tonight? Where to watch NBA playoffs on TV, stream
The Detroit Pistons-Cleveland Cavaliers game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock. The Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers game will air on ABC and stream on Fubo, with a free trial.
Where to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers: TV, live stream
Game 3 of the Detroit Pistons-Cleveland Cavaliers series will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
Stream Pistons vs Cavs on Peacock
Where to watch Thunder vs Lakers: TV, live stream
Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers series will air on ABC and stream on Fubo.
Stream Thunder vs Lakers on Fubo
Pistons vs Cavaliers odds: Who’s favored in Pistons vs Cavs game?
The Cavs are home favorites over the Pistons in Game 3:
Odds courtesty of BetMGM
Thunder vs Lakers odds: Who’s favored in Thunder vs Lakers game?
The Thunder, who have been heavily favored in every game so far this postseason, are road favorites over the Lakers in Game 3:
Odds courtesty of BetMGM
Who’s still in the NBA playoffs?
Four teams in each conference remain in the 2026 NBA playoffs:
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
NBA playoffs bracket 2026
Here’s a look at the 2026 NBA playoff bracket as the second round continues with a pair of Game 3s on May 9:
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference first round
Eastern Conference semifinals
Western Conference
Western Conference first round
Western Conference semifinals
NBA playoffs schedule, series, results
Here’s the full schedule for the two Eastern Conference semifinals and two Western Conference semifinals series. Every series is best-of-seven and in a 2-2-1-1-1 format:
Eastern Conference semifinals
Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
New York Knicks (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Western Conference semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (4)
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Eastern Conference first round
Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Pistons win series 4-3
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
76ers win series 4-3
New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6)
Knicks win series 4-2
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5)
Cavaliers win series 4-3
Western Conference first round
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (8)
Thunder win series 4-0
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7)
Spurs win series 4-1
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Timberwolves win series 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5)
Lakers win series 4-2
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NBA playoffs TV schedule today, where to watch games, start times
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
