KEYPOINTS SUMMARY – NBA Playoff Guide
- The Eastern Conference semifinals are locked in: Knicks vs Celtics, Cavs vs Pacers
- The Western Conference is chaos: Clippers-Nuggets Game 7, Warriors-Rockets still alive
- Jalen Brunson dropped 40 to lead New York past Detroit
- Kawhi Leonard and James Harden force Game 7 for Clippers
- Warriors can eliminate Houston Friday night
- Thunder and Timberwolves await in the West semis
- OKC and Boston are the title favorites according to the latest betting odds
- Round 2 starts Sunday — buckle up for more drama
NBA Playoff Guide: East Is Set, West Is Mayhem — Who Survives?
Welcome to the most thrilling time of the NBA season — and this year’s NBA Playoff Guide is already on fire.
The Eastern Conference is locked and loaded with two dream matchups, while the Western Conference is still throwing punches, with Game 7s, win-or-go-home showdowns, and potential upsets brewing.
So grab your bracket, load your snacks, and cancel your weekend plans. It’s about to get crazy.
Knicks vs Celtics: A Rivalry Reborn
It’s finally happening. The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will face off in the Eastern Conference semifinals — and it’s shaping up to be a battle for the ages.
The Knicks punched their ticket on Thursday night thanks to Jalen Brunson, who exploded for 40 points and sank the game-winning three with 4.3 seconds left against the Detroit Pistons.
Brunson, already crowned the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, was ice-cold in the final moments — and now he’s about to take his firepower straight into TD Garden.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Celtics are rested, dangerous, and out to prove they’re still kings of the East.
Game 1 is Monday night in Boston. You won’t want to miss it.
Cavs vs Pacers: Young Guns, Big Stakes
The other half of the East features a gritty clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers.
Cleveland locked in their spot early and will host Game 1 on Sunday. The Cavs are physical, defensive-minded, and anchored by Donovan Mitchell’s playoff pedigree.
But don’t sleep on Indiana. The Pacers are fast, fearless, and love to run, making this one of the more unpredictable series in the playoffs.
Expect chaos, buzzer-beaters, and a lot of fireworks.
Out West: Clippers Force Game 7, Warriors and Rockets Not Done Yet
While the East is neat and tidy, the Western Conference is a battlefield.
The Los Angeles Clippers refused to die on Thursday night, with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden teaming up to beat the Nuggets in Game 6 and send the series back to Denver for a brutal Game 7 on Saturday night.
This series has been a rollercoaster — and the Clippers’ Game 6 win has sparked real doubt about whether Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets can finish the job at home.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have a chance to eliminate the Houston Rockets Friday night in Game 6. The Rockets, led by rising star Jalen Green, aren’t backing down — but the Warriors smell blood.
If Houston wins, Game 7 is Sunday. If not, Steph and the Warriors move on.
The Next Step: Thunder and Wolves Await
In the West semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting pretty. They’ve already advanced and await the winner of Clippers vs Nuggets.
OKC, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is young, explosive, and dangerous. Vegas even has them as the favorite to win the NBA title (+150) according to BetMGM.
On the other side, the Minnesota Timberwolves are quietly building momentum and will face the winner of Warriors vs Rockets.
With Anthony Edwards playing out of his mind and the Wolves getting contributions up and down the lineup, Minnesota is legit.
The West might be chaotic — but it’s absolutely loaded.
Betting Breakdown: Who’s the Favorite Now?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, here’s where the smart money is heading:
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +150
- Boston Celtics: +200
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +500
- Golden State Warriors: +1800
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +1800
- Los Angeles Clippers: +3000
- New York Knicks: +4000
- Denver Nuggets: +4000
- Indiana Pacers: +6600
- Houston Rockets: +12500
New York and Denver as +4000 underdogs? That’s wild — especially considering the Clippers just took the defending champs to Game 7.
Top Scorers So Far — Who’s Heating Up?
Want offensive firepower? The playoffs haven’t disappointed.
- Jamal Murray: 43 points (April 29)
- Anthony Edwards: 43 points (April 27)
- Jalen Brunson: 40 points (May 1)
- Kawhi Leonard: 39 points (April 21)
- Luka Doncic: 38 points (April 27)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 38 points (April 26)
- LeBron James: 38 points (April 25)
- Jalen Green: 38 points (April 23)
These names could swing entire series — and there’s plenty more scoring to come.
Upcoming Playoff Schedule — What’s Next?
Friday – May 3:
- 9 p.m. ET: Houston at Golden State (Game 6, ESPN)
Saturday – May 4:
- 7:30 p.m. ET: Clippers at Nuggets (Game 7, TNT)
Sunday – May 5:
- 6 or 8 p.m. ET: Indiana at Cleveland (Game 1, TNT)
- 8:30 p.m. ET: Warriors at Rockets (Game 7 if necessary)
Monday – May 6:
- 8 p.m. ET: Knicks at Celtics (Game 1, ESPN)
Mark Your Calendars: Key NBA Dates Coming Up
- May 12 – NBA Draft Lottery (Chicago)
- May 18/20 – Game 1, Western Conference Finals
- May 19/21 – Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals
- June 5 – Game 1, NBA Finals
- June 25–26 – NBA Draft (Rounds 1 and 2)
It’s not just the playoffs heating up — the entire NBA calendar is going full throttle.
Buckle Up — This Is Just Getting Started
The NBA Playoff Guide has one job — to prepare you for mayhem. And right now, this postseason is delivering everything fans could hope for.
The East has its two marquee matchups ready. The West? Still a warzone.
- Will the Knicks shock the Celtics?
- Can the Pacers outrun the Cavs?
- Will the Clippers finally knock out Jokic?
- Can the Warriors finish off the Rockets?
- And is Oklahoma City really ready to win it all?
This is where legends are made.
This is where dreams get crushed.
And this is where we all lose sleep over buzzer-beaters.
NBA Playoff Guide 2024 is live — and it’s an absolute madhouse.
