NBA playoff bracket: Second-round scores, matchups, dates, times, TV info, predictions
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 Golden State.
Here are the schedules for the conference semifinals with times, TV info and predictions:
Eastern Conference
*-If necessary
No. 5 New York Knicks vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
Miami wins 4-2
Game 1: Heat 108, Knicks 101
Game 2: Knicks 111, Heat 105
Game 3: Heat 105, Knicks 86
Game 4: Heat 109, Knicks 101
Game 5: Knicks 112, Heat 103
Game 6: Heat 96, Knicks 92
Season series: Knicks won, 3-1
Prediction: Heat in six
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers
Boston wins 4-3
Game 1: 76ers 119, Celtics 115
Game 2: Celtics 121, 76ers 87
Game 3: Celtics 114, 76ers 102
Game 4: 76ers 116, Celtics 115 (OT)
Game 5: 76ers 115, Celtics 103
Game 6: Celtics 95, 76ers 86
Game 7: Celtics 112, 76ers 88
Season series: Celtics won 3-1
Prediction: Celtics in seven
Western Conference
*-If necessary
No. 1 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 4 Phoenix Suns
Denver wins 4-2
Game 1: Nuggets 125, Suns 107
Game 2: Nuggets 97, Suns 87
Game 3: Suns 121, Nuggets 114
Game 4: Suns 129, Nuggets 124
Game 5: Nuggets 118, Suns 102
Game 6: Nuggets 125, Suns 100
Season series: Tied, 2-2
Prediction: Nuggets in seven
No. 6 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles wins 4-2
Game 1: Lakers 117, Warriors 112
Game 2: Warriors 127, Lakers 100
Game 3: Lakers 127, Warriors 97
Game 4: Lakers 104, Warriors 101
Game 5: Warriors 121, Lakers 106
Game 6: Lakers 122, Warriors 101
Season series: Lakers won, 3-1
Prediction: Warriors in seven
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs 2023: Scores, schedule, TV, predictions for second round
