NBA Playoffs 2026: May 01 Schedule, Lineups & Predictions
Now that the NBA playoffs have progressed, every game has become immensely important. Now, as the games move forward, the teams aim to reach the next round or avoid elimination.
With that in mind, May 01 will feature some important games. The Atlanta Hawks vs the New York Knicks matchup is one to watch closely. So is the clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, which could be equally important. Other games include the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets matchup in the West.
Here’s the complete breakdown of the NBA 2025–26 postseason race, including schedule, match previews, standings, and predictions.
Recap of Series & Observations:
The early rounds of the NBA playoffs have been very exciting, with shifts in momentum. Teams like the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves are up 3-2 in their respective series.
Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are just one win away from sweeping their opponents. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Spurs have shown impressive dominance, sweeping their respective series.
Time: 07:00 PM ET | 04:00 PM PT | 04:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando
5. Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Date: 01 May 2026 (Friday)
Time: 09:30 PM ET | 06:30 PM PT | 07:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston
6. Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Date: 30 April 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 07:30 PM ET | 04:30 PM PT | 05:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
NBA Playoff Lineup Picks
Atlanta Hawks VS New York Knicks
Date: 01 May 2026 (Friday)
Time: TBD
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
CJ McCollum
Shooting Guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Small Forward
Dyson Daniels
Power Forward
Jalen Johnson
Center
Onyeka Okongwu
New York Knicks Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Jalen Brunson
Shooting Guard
Josh Hart
Small Forward
Mikal Bridges
Power Forward
OG Anunoby
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns
Prediction:
In this game against the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks are coming off an impressive 126-97 victory in Game 5. The Knicks have been dominating in the previous encounters, especially their last two games.
One of the players who will give the Knicks an advantage in this game is Jalen Brunson. Brunson sets the pace of the game and is also consistent in his scoring, making the Knicks’ offense superior.
The Hawks have been struggling to find their rhythm in the past two games. So, in this matchup, the victory falls to the Knicks, given their momentum.
The pick: New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
Date: 01 May 2026 (Friday)
Time: TBD
Venue: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Philadelphia 76ers Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Tyrese Maxey
Shooting Guard
VJ Edgecombe
Small Forward
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Power Forward
Paul George
Center
Joel Embiid
Boston Celtics Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Derrick White
Shooting Guard
Jaylen Brown
Small Forward
Sam Hauser
Power Forward
Jayson Tatum
Center
Neemias Queta
Prediction:
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs. The series is currently at 3–2 in favor of the Celtics, showing how competitive each game has been.
In the overall NBA standings, the Celtics have a slight lead. Nevertheless, when looking at their latest games, one will notice that the two teams are evenly matched. For instance, Philadelphia won Game 5 with 113-97, while Boston won Games 3 and 4.
Both teams have been more dominant in these NBA playoff games. Overall, one can expect this game to be a real nail-biter. The game might showcase a good defense and strong execution from the Boston Celtics
The pick: Boston Celtics
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets
Date: 01 May 2026 (Friday)
Time: TBD
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis
Minnesota Timberwolves Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Mike Conley
Shooting Guard
Ayo Dosunmu
Small Forward
Jaden McDaniels
Power Forward
Julius Randle
Center
Rudy Gobert
Denver Nuggets Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Jamal Murray
Shooting Guard
Christian Braun
Small Forward
Cameron Johnson
Power Forward
Spencer Jones
Center
Nikola Jokic
Prediction:
The Timberwolves play against the Nuggets. Even though the Nuggets are ahead of the Timberwolves in the NBA standings, they have lost 3 games in a row. This indicates that the Timberwolves are in good form to snatch their place in the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets are very tough players, but recently they have failed to maintain that momentum. In contrast, the Timberwolves are not an easy team to beat either. They have won almost 24 matches against the Nuggets out of 47. This indicates how superior they are in statistical comparison.
If the Denver Nuggets can return to form and perform well in this matchup, they’ll have a strong chance to win and potentially level the series at 3–3.
The pick: Denver Nuggets
Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons
Date: 01 May 2026 (Friday)
Time: 07:00 PM ET | 04:00 PM PT | 04:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando
Orlando Magic Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Jalen Suggs
Shooting Guard
Desmond Bane
Small Forward
Jamal Cain
Power Forward
Paolo Banchero
Center
Wendell Carter Jr.
Detroit Pistons Expected Lineup:
Category
Players
Point Guard
Cade Cunningham
Shooting Guard
Duncan Robinson
Small Forward
Ausar Thompson
Power Forward
Tobias Harris
Center
Jalen Duren
Prediction:
The Orlando Magic is playing the Detroit Pistons, with the Magic leading 3-2 in the series. The Magic has won the past two games and has performed impressively.
As for the Detroit Pistons, despite their impressive NBA standings record, they have recently been experiencing a drop in performance. Piston gave a strong comeback in game 5 after two losses. This shows their potential to gain reassurance during a critical point in the NBA series and proves itself to be tough. Nevertheless, they cannot be considered an easy opponent in an important match. They have everything it takes to turn the tide and deliver their best performance.
In short, the Orlando Magic have impressive momentum. However, the Detroit Pistons remain poised to win this matchup due to their potential.
The pick: Detroit Pistons
Conclusion:
With several series nearing their turning point, May 01 could decide who moves forward and who gets pushed to the edge.
Some teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and Magic carry strong momentum into the playoffs, building confidence from their recent performances.
Meanwhile, teams like the 76ers, Hawks, and Pistons face pressure, but in the NBA playoffs, nothing is certain.