Exploring the NBA Playoffs 2024:Schedule, Format, and Streaming Details

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The NBA Playoffs 2024, a heart-pounding battle for the Larry O’Brien trophy, is just around the corner. Filled with anticipation, the teams have gone the extra mile to prove their worth for the NBA 2024 title. On Friday night, the play-in tournament, a pivotal part of the NBA playoffs, concluded with the New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat securing their division’s eighth and final playoff spot. The NBA playoffs 2024 are set to kick off on April 20, 2024, and will reach its crescendo in June 2024. With a rich history of NBA playoffs, the 1949 edition is the most memorable. Once the season starts, 30 teams will battle it out within the conference and the other conference team to secure their seat in the playoffs. The most successful teams are the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and other successful teams such as the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors have clinched the most NBA Championships. As expected, the Boston Celtics also dominated the Eastern Conference this season with their formidable home-court advantage.

The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, a stage set for a nail-biting competition, unfolded from April 16-19, 2024. This tournament, introduced in 2021 by the NBA Board of Governors, is a crucial part of the NBA playoffs as it determines the 7th and 8th places in each conference. In a heart-stopping match, the New Orleans Pelicans clashed with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Lakers emerging triumphant with a score of 110-106. The Kings outshone the Warriors in the second game, scoring 118-94. The 76ers narrowly overcame the Miami Heat by a single point, securing their seventh place. With a stellar performance, the Bulls outplayed the Hawks with a score of 131. The final two games of the Play-In Tournament were a battle of nerves between the Heat and Bulls for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat emerged as the victors with 112 points, securing their place in the playoffs. In the Western Conference, the Pelicans overcame the Kings with a score of 105-98, adding to the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament.

In the NBA playoffs 2024 format, eight teams were meticulously selected from the Eastern and Western Conferences and seated in the proper seeding order. The top spot was taken by the team with the highest regular season record, followed by the second-highest, and so on. The first six teams were chosen based on their winning percentage in the NBA regular season. As mentioned earlier, the 7th and 8th places were determined by the play-in tournament. Once both the Eastern and Western conferences had their eight teams, the NBA playoffs commenced. It involves elimination games between the top teams in the Eastern and Western conferences. The playoff format has evolved over the years, with changes in the number of teams, the inclusion of the play-in tournament, and the seeding process. Still, it typically features a best-of-seven series in each round, with the winner leveling up to the further round until the NBA championship is ultimately claimed.

How many games are there in the first round of the NBA playoffs?

All playoff series are best of seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The higher seed hosts Games 1, 2,

5 and 7. The lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6. The team with the most wins at the end of the series advances to the next round.

The first-round NBA playoff schedule is as follows:

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Celtics vs. No. 8 Heat

April 21, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 a.m PT, 10:30 p.m IST
April 24, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m PT, 4:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 27, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m PT, 3:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 29, 2024 – TBD
May 1, 2024 – TBD
May 3, 2024 – TBD
May 5, 2024 – TBD

No. 2 Knicks vs. No. 7 76ers

April 20, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 p.m PT, 3:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 22, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m PT, 5:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 25, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m PT, 5:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 28, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 a.m PT, 10:30 p.m IST
April 30, 2024 – TBD
May 2, 2024 – TBD
May 4, 2024 – TBD

No. 3 Bucks vs. No. 6 Pacers

April 21, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m PT, 4:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 23, 2024 – 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m PT, 6:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 26, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m PT, 3:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 28, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m PT, 4:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 30, 2024 – TBD
May 2, 2024 – TBD
May 4, 2024 – TBD

No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Magic

April 20, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 a.m PT, 10:30 p.m IST
April 22, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m PT, 4:30 a.m IST (Next Day),
April 25, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET, 4:00 p.m PT, 4:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 27, 2024 – 1:00 p.m. ET, 10:00 a.m PT, 10:30 p.m IST
April 30, 2024 – TBD
May 3, 2024 – TBD
May 5, 2024 – TBD

Western Conference

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Pelicans

April 21, 2024 – 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m PT, 7:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 24, 2024 – 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m PT, 7:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 27, 2024 – 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m PT, 1:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 29, 2024 – TBD
May 1, 2024 – TBD
May 3, 2024 – TBD
May 5, 2024 – TBD

No. 2 Nuggets vs. No. 7 Lakers

April 20, 2024 – 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m PT, 6:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 22, 2024 – 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m PT, 7:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 25, 2024 – 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m PT, 7:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 27, 2024 – 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m PT, 6:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 29, 2024 – TBD
May 2, 2024 – TBD
May 4, 2024 – TBD

No. 3 Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Suns

April 20, 2024 – 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m PT, 1:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 23, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m PT, 5:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 26, 2024 – 10:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m PT, 8:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 28, 2024 – 9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m PT, 7:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 30, 2024 – TBD
May 2, 2024 – TBD
May 4, 2024 – TBD

No. 4 Clippers vs. No. 5 Mavericks

April 21, 2024 – 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m PT, 1:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 23, 2024 – 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m PT, 7:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 26, 2024 – 8:00 p.m. ET, 5:00 p.m PT, 5:30 a.m IST (Next Day)
April 28, 2024 – 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m PT, 1:00 a.m IST (Next Day)
May 1, 2024 – TBD
May 3, 2024 – TBD,
May 5, 2024 – TBD

Where to watch the 2024 NBA playoffs

NBA playoff games will be broadcast nationally across ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and ABC. This comprehensive coverage ensures that fans can catch all the thrilling moments of the playoffs, no matter where they are.

ABC and ESPN games will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app. TNT games can be streamed on TNTdrama.com and the TNT app. Games on NBA TV can be streamed on NBA.com and the NBA app.

NBA Outright Odds

NBA Weekly Odds

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

After two consecutive road losses, the Orlando Magic return home to continue Game 3 of the playoffs, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 26, 2024, at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Once again, Cleveland proved its defensive strength, holding the Orlando Magic to less than 90 points in both home games. The Cleveland Cavaliers once again controlled the game from the opening tip, shooting 41.5% from the floor and 31% from deep. They are averaging 112.3 points per game offensively and allowing 109.6 points per game defensively, which ranks them 7th in the league. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic are struggling offensively in the game. After a slow first quarter, the Orlando Magic couldn’t overcome their 12-point deficit. Notably, Paolo Banchero led the team with [21 points], and Cary Harris added [four 3-pointers], showcasing their individual contributions to the team’s performance.

On game day, Paolo Banchero led the team with 21 points, and Cary Harris added four 3-pointers to help the Orlando Magic push the game. The Orlando Magic are coming off an average of 109.8 points per game, which is 27th in the league, and are allowing an average of 108.2 points per game defensively, which has been the most highlighted for improvement in their play. It ranks fourth in the league. Orlando Magic is at home this time, which could be a crucial advantage for them to win this upcoming game. We can expect Paolo Banchero and Cary Harris to play their best, and the home court full of fans will give them the momentum to win in the third game.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks

With a 2-0 lead, the New York Knicks are set for their Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 26, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA) in an NBA game. In the first two games, the New York Knicks came out on top, knew what they were doing, and used every opportunity and home advantage to win two close games. In the first game, the New York Knicks defeated the game with bench players Deuce McBride, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Mitchell Robinson. In the second game, with less than nine seconds left, Jalen Brunson hit a three-pointer, and the Knicks stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey—a foul the NBA has since admitted included multiple fouls—setting up Donte DiVincenzo’s game-winning three-point field. The Knicks took a 2-0 series lead after Isaiah Hartenstein blocked Maxey’s drive, and OG Anunoby made two free throws for a surprising 104-101 victory. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers were well on their way to a much-needed split with a five-point lead in the game with less than 30 seconds left. These game-changing moments kept the audience on the edge of their seats, adding to the excitement of the game.

Undoubtedly, the Philadelphia 76ers have had ample opportunities to secure victory in each of their two games in the series. The standout performances of Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in the first two games are a testament to their potential. Maxey’s 35 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in Game 2, along with Embiid’s 34 points and 10 rebounds, are clear indicators of their prowess. The scenarios for the two teams were starkly different in the NBA regular season. Philadelphia started with a bang, but injuries to key players took a toll on their performance, pushing them down the table. In contrast, the New York Knicks climbed up the ranks with their stellar performance, now finding themselves in the second round of the Eastern Conference. After two consecutive losses, the stage is set for a thrilling comeback in the upcoming match, and with the home advantage, Philadelphia is poised to clinch this match.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets

The Western Conference’s two-seed Denver Nuggets will face off against the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers on April 26, 2024, at the Arena in Los Angeles, California. Although the Los Angeles Lakers took the lead as much as they could in the first half, they collapsed again in the second half and lost Game 2 to the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets outscored the Lakers 57-40 in the second half. Later, LeBron James missed a three-pointer to tie the game at 99, and Jamal Murray made a putback jumper as time expired to give the Nuggets the win. Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers with 32 points and 11 rebounds on 14-of-19 shooting; LeBron James added 26 points with eight rebounds and 12 assists; and D’Angelo Russell had 23 points and six assists. For the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic led the team with a triple-double of 27 points with 20 rebounds and ten assists; Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points; and Jamal Murray added 20 points and five assists.

This season, the Denver Nuggets haven’t been as dangerous on the road; they are 24-17, averaging 114.9 points per game and holding opponents to 109.6 points. On the other hand, the Lakers were excellent at home, going 28-14 on the year. They averaged 118 points per game, ranking them 6th in the league, and their defense could be more robust than their offense; they scored an average of 117.4 points, ranking them 23rd. Even considering their comfort zone, the Denver Nuggets were not that good in their game against the Toads, and the Lakers were good in their home with a solid offensive end concerning the Los Angeles Lakers winning this game.