2024 NBA playoffs: Second-round scores, schedule, times, TV, key stats, who to watch
Can the Minnesota Timberwolves reach their first conference finals appearance since 2004? Can the New York Knicks get back to the conference finals for the first time since 2000? Can anyone challenge the Boston Celtics in the East? Are the Denver Nuggets still motoring toward their second consecutive NBA Finals appearance with a chance to repeat as champions?
Can the Timberwolves, with a healthy roster (save for their head coach Chris Finch who ruptured a patellar tendon during a game) slow down Nikola Jokic and Denver’s offense? Can the Indiana Pacers find enough defense against the Knicks?
Are you ready for more breakout playoffs performances from Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
The NBA’s East and West conference semifinals are here, and answers will start to become more clear with each game. Check out the schedules, times, dates, TV info, key stats and who to watch:
Eastern Conference semifinals schedule
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Celtics win series 4-1
Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94
Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93
Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102
Game 5: Celtics 113, Cavaliers 98
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
Pacers win series 4-3
Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106
Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89
Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91
Game 6: Pacers 116, Knicks 103
Game 7: Pacers 130, Knicks 109
Season series: Indiana won 2-1
Key stats: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 points and 9.0 assists in the first round, and the Knicks' defense will be tested against Indiana's offense which scored 119.4 points per 100 possessions in the first round.
Who to watch: Brunson has been special, and he's getting scoring help from Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam make it work for the Pacers with a versatile roster.
Western Conference semifinals schedule
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks win series 4-2
Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95
Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110
Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101
Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96
Game 5: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92
Game 6: Mavericks 117, Thunder 116
Season series: Thunder won 3-1
Key stats: Can the Mavericks' offense (115.9 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs) score enough against Oklahoma City's defense (93.5 points allowed per 100 possessions)?
Who to watch: Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP finalist, and teammate Jalen Williams, a second-year guard-forward, is one of the league's rising stars. For Dallas, guard Luka Doncic, another MVP finalist, and guard Kyrie Irving provide offensive fireworks.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves win series 4-3
Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90
Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107
Game 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
Game 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
Game 7: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90
Season series: Tied 2-2
Key stats: Not known for its offense, Minnesota posted a league-best 123.2 points per 100 possessions in the first round, and Denver's versatile offense was held in check at times in the first round at 113.4 points per 100 possessions.
Who to watch: Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been sensational, and Denver's Nikola Jokic is one of the most gifted centers to ever play in the NBA and is likely to win his third MVP in the past four seasons.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoffs 2024: Second round scores, schedule, times, TV, key stats
