Unexpected and intriguing matchups highlight the NBA’s Eastern and Western conference semifinals.
The fifth-seeded Knicks advancing to the second round isn’t surprising, but their opponent, the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, pulled off a huge upset over top-seeded Milwaukee. Great coaching and overachievers highlight this series.
Philadelphia-Boston should be a heavyweight fight with the winner most likely the favorite to win the East. The Celtics and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been knocking at the door, and the 76ers are desperate to get out of the second round with Joel Embiid.
Phoenix-Denver will be a treat for anyone who likes offense with the Suns’ Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton and the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., on the court.
The seventh-seeded Lakers bring momentum and a season-high confidence into another California-based series against either Golden State or Sacramento.
Here are the schedules for the conference semifinals with times, TV info and predictions:
Eastern Conference
No. 8 Miami Heat vs. No. 5 New York Knicks
Game 1: Sunday, Miami at New York, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2: Tuesday: Miami at New York, time TBD, TNT
Game 3, May 6: New York at Miami, time TBD, ABC
Game 4, May 8: New York at Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5, May 10: Miami at New York, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 12: New York at Miami, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 15: Miami at New York, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Season series: Knicks won, 3-1
Prediction: Heat in six
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 2 Boston Celtics
Game 1: Monday: Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2: Wednesday: Philadelphia at Boston, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 5: Boston at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4, May 7: Boston at Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 5, May 9: Philadelphia at Boston, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 11: Boston at Philadelphia, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 14: Philadelphia at Boston, time and TV TBD
Season series: Celtics won 3-1
Prediction: Celtics in seven
Western Conference
No. 4 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 1 Denver Nuggets
Nuggets lead 1-0
Game 1: Nuggets 125, Suns 107
Game 2, Monday: Phoenix at Denver, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3, May 5: Denver at Phoenix, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4, May 7: Denver at Phoenix, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5, May 9: Phoenix at Denver, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 11: Denver at Phoenix, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 14: Phoenix at Denver, time and TV TBD
Season series: Tied, 2-2
Prediction: Nuggets in seven
No. 7 Los Angeles vs. No. 3. Sacramento or No. 6 Golden State
Game 1, Tuesday: Los Angeles at Sacramento or Golden State, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: Los Angeles at Sacramento or Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3, May 6: Sacramento or Golden State at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 4, May 8: Sacramento or Golden State at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 5, May 10: Los Angeles at Sacramento or Golden State, time TBD, TNT
Game 6, May 12: Sacramento or Golden State at Los Angeles, time TBD, ESPN
Game 7, May 14: Los Angeles at Sacramento or Golden State, time and TV TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs bracket 2023: Second round schedule, predictions
