The NBA playoffs is a battlefield where the top teams compete for one thing and one thing only: the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. While the Warriors are expected to three-peat this year, many NBA teams has elevated this season to clinch playoffs spots and make history, making this NBA post-season the most intriguing post- season yet. Let's take a look at the eight first-round match-ups in each conference and their series outlooks, as the NBA post-season begins Saturday afternoon. Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs Detroit Pistons (8)
Game 1 (at MIL): Sunday, April 14, 7 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 2 (at MIL): Wednesday, April 17, 8 p.m. -- TV: NBA TV Game 3 (at DET): Saturday, April 20, 8 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 4 (at DET): Monday, April 22, 8 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 5* (at MIL): Wednesday, April 24, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at DET): Friday, April 26, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at MIL): Sunday, April 28, TBD -- TV: TBD
*if necessary
Season series: Milwaukee won 4-0
Series outlook:
For the first time since 1970, the Milwaukee Bucks won 60 games in the regular season an earned the best record in the NBA. Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while playing elite defense during this historic run.
The Detroit Pistons stumbled into the playoffs finishing with a .500 record, the front man Blake Griffin putting up career numbers this season. Griffin is currently dealing with a flared knee, but if he can remain in decent health, the Pistons could have a decent chance to stop the Buck’s chance from potentially reaching to the Finals.
Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Orlando Magic (7)
Game 1 (at TOR): Saturday, April 13, 5 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 2 (at TOR): Tuesday, April 16, 8 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 3 (at ORL): Friday, April 19, 7 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 4 (at ORL): Sunday, April 21, 7 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 5* (at TOR): Tuesday, April 23, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at ORL): Thursday, April 25, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at TOR): Saturday, April 27, TBD -- TV: TBD
*if necessary
Season series: Tied 2-2
Series outlook:
The Raptors have proved this season that they’re still a strong force in the Eastern Conference with All-Stars Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard along with solid veterans like Marc Gasol and Danny Green. The Orlando Magic led by Nikola Vucevic returns to the playoffs since 2011, however with a little edge to knock out the Raptors, so expect this series to be fairly short.
Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)
Game 1 (at PHI): Saturday, April 13, 2:30 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 2 (at PHI): Monday, April 15, 8 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 3 (at BKN): Thursday, April 18, 8 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 4 (at BKN): Saturday, April 20, 3 p.m. ET -- TV: TNT Game 5* (at PHI): Tuesday, April 23, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at BKN): Thursday, April 25, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at PHI): Saturday, April 27, TBD -- TV: TNT
*If necessary Season series: Tied 2-2 Series outlook:
76ers is perhaps one of the only teams that took adavantage of free agency season by picking up Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris to pair with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and J.J Redrick, resulting in creating a powerhouse team of defenders and shooters. However, the bench has not been productive as of late and Jimmy Butler can’t seem to get to adapt to the 76ers rhythm of play.
The Nets will certainly give the 76ers a run for their money. They make a glorious return to the playoffs since 2015 with the help of guard D’Angelo Russell who has developed a leadership role that’s pushed other players like Caris Levert and Spencer Dinwiddie to make improvements in their game.
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Indiana Pacers (5)
Game 1 (at BOS): Sunday, April 14, 1 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 2 (at BOS): Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 3 (at IND): Friday, April 19, 8:30 p.m. -- TV: ABC Game 4 (at IND): Sunday, April 21, 1 p.m. -- TV: ABC Game 5* (at BOS): Wednesday, April 24, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at IND): Friday, April 26, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at BOS): Sunday, April 28, TBD -- TV: TBD
*If necessary
Season series: Celtics won 3-1 Series outlook:
After their impressive playoff last season to the Eastern Conference Finals led by young talent Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, a young Celtics squad with a fully healthy Kyrie Irving have high hopes of making it to the Finals. Yet, this season has been a letdown for the Celtics as injuries are still spreading throughout the team.
After the devastating blow if losing Victor Oladipo in March, the Indiana Pacers remained solid in the regular season with the help of center Myles Turner and sixth man Domantas Sabonis. This matchup is up for grabs for both teams.
Western Conference
Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8)
Game 1 (at GS): Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m. -- TV: ABC Game 2 (at GS): Monday, April 15, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 3 (at LAC): Thursday, April 18, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 4 (at LAC): Sunday, April 21, 3:30 p.m. -- TV: ABC Game 5* (at GS): Wednesday, April 24, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at LAC): Friday, April 26, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at GS): Sunday, April 28, TBD -- TV: TBD
*if necessary
Season series: Warriors won 3-1
Series outlook:
The Golden State Warriors is expected to make their fifth straight Finals appearance and win their third straight title. With the speculation of Kevin Durant leaving and the Stephen Curry dealing with an ankle injury, this may be the Warriors last chance to maintain their dynasty.
The Clippers has became a pleasant surprise this season, as the fun group led by Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley came out on top against great teams to earn them enough wins for the 8th playoffs. This series is expected to be interesting and intense.
Denver Nuggets (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)
Game 1 (at DEN): Saturday, April 13, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 2 (at DEN): Tuesday, April 16, 9 p.m. -- TV: NBA TV Game 3 (at SA): Thursday, April 18, 9 p.m. -- TV: NBA TV Game 4 (at SA): Saturday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 5* (at DEN): Tuesday, April 23, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at SA): Thursday, April 25, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at DEN): Saturday, April 27, TBD -- TV: TBD
*if necessary
Season series: Ties 2-2
Series outlook: Led by Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets had one of the best seasons best in franchise history. Jokic has revolutionized the center position by averaging nearly 20 points a game and 11 rebounds, surrounding himself with a squad averaging double-figures in point every night.
The Spurs remain a solid team in the league with veterans Rudy Gay and Demar DeRozan along with complimentary young talent. While the Nuggets with highly expected to win this series, Greg Popovich always has a trick under his sleeve when it comes to upsets.
Portland Trail Blazers (3) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6)
Game 1 (at POR): Sunday, April 14, 3:30 p.m. -- TV: ABC
Game 2 (at POR): Tuesday, April 16, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT
Game 3 (at OKC): Friday, April 19, 9:30 p.m. -- TV: ESPN
Game 4 (at OKC): Sunday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT
Game 5* (at POR): Tuesday, April 23, TBD -- TV: TBD
Game 6* (at OKC): Thursday, April 25, TBD -- TV: TBD
Game 7* (at POR): Saturday, April 27, TBD -- TV: TBD Season series: Thunder won 4-0
Series outlook:
Get your popcorn ready for this series to see elite point guards Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard go head-to-head. Damian Lillard kept his team in high spirits after losing center Jusuf Nurkic and nearly losing C.J McCollum, while Russell Westbrook and Paul George became a dynamic duo throughout this season. Expect this series to be fast-paced and full of offense.
*if necessary
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)
Game 1 (at HOU): Sunday, April 14, 9:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 2 (at HOU): Wednesday, April 17, 9:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 3 (at UTA): Saturday, April 20, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: ESPN Game 4 (at UTA): Monday, April 22, 10:30 p.m. -- TV: TNT Game 5* (at HOU): Wednesday, April 24, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 6* (at UTA): Friday, April 26, TBD -- TV: TBD Game 7* (at HOU): Sunday, April 28, TBD -- TV: TBD
*If necessary
Season series: Tied 2-2
Series outlook: The “Spida” Donovan Mitchell continues to improve his game while center Rudy Gobert continues to make defense strides in Utah’s old-fashion style style of play mixed with tough defense and classic offensive. James Harden has had one of the greatest offensive seasons ever in the regular season caveraging 36 points while sinking a league-record 378 three-pointers on 1,028 three-point-attempts. Still, Houston will have to limit their desire for the three to matchup with Utah’s defense if they want to successfully finish the series strong.