Can the Minnesota Timberwolves reach the conference finals for the first time since 2004? Can the New York Knicks return to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2000? Is there anyone who can challenge the Boston Celtics in the East? Are the Denver Nuggets still moving toward a second straight NBA Finals appearance with a chance to repeat as champions?
Will the Timberwolves, with a healthy roster (save for head coach Chris Finch, who tore his patella tendon during the game), be able to slow Nikola Jokic and Denver's offense? Can the Indiana Pacers find enough defense against the Knicks?
Are you ready for more playoff action from Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and more?
The NBA's East-West Conference semifinals are fast approaching, and the answers will begin to become clearer with each game. See schedule, times, dates, TV info, key stats and who's watching.
Eastern Conference Semifinal Schedule
1st place Boston Celtics vs. 4th place Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 1, Tuesday: Boston, 7 p.m. ET, TNT.
Game 2, Thursday: Boston, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Game 3, May 11: Cleveland, 8:30pm ET, ABC.
Game 4, May 13: Cleveland, time TBA, TNT
Game 5, May 15: Boston, time TBA, TNT
Game 6, May 17: Cleveland, time TBA, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: Boston, time and TV TBA.
2nd place New York Knicks vs. 6th place Indiana Pacers
Game 1, Monday: New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT.
Game 2, Wednesday: New York, 8 p.m. ET, TNT.
Game 3, May 10: Indiana State, 7pm ET, ESPN.
Game 4: May 12: Indiana, 3:30pm ET, ABC.
Game 5, May 14: New York, time TBA, TNT
Game 6, May 17: Indiana, time TBA, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: New York, time and TV TBA.
Season series: Indiana won 2-1.
Key statistics: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 points and 9.0 assists in the first round, and the Knicks' defense will be tested against an Indiana offense that averaged 119.4 points per 100 possessions in the first round.
Who to look out for: Brunson is special, getting scoring help from Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam make the Pacers work well with a diverse roster.
Western Conference Semifinal Schedule
1st Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5th Dallas Mavericks
Game 1, Tuesday: Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2, Thursday: Oklahoma City, time TBA, ESPN
Game 3, May 11: Dallas, 3:30pm ET, ABC.
Game 4, May 13: Dallas, time TBA, TNT
Game 5, May 15: Oklahoma City, time TBA, TNT
Game 6, May 18: Dallas, 8:30pm ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 20: Oklahoma City, 8:30pm ET, TNT
Season series: Thunder won 3-1
Key statistics: Will the Mavericks offense (115.9 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs) be able to put up enough points against Oklahoma City's defense (93.5 points per 100 possessions)?
Who to look out for: Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP finalist, and his teammate, second-year guard-forward Jaylen Williams, is one of the league's rising stars. In Dallas, guard Luka Doncic, another MVP finalist, and guard Kyrie Irving will provide offensive fireworks.
2nd place Denver Nuggets vs. 3rd place Minnesota Timberwolves
Game 1, Saturday: Denver, 7pm ET, TNT
Game 2, Monday: Denver, 10 p.m. ET, TNT.
Game 3, May 10: Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4, May 12: Minnesota, 8pm ET, TNT
Game 5, May 14: Denver, time TBA, TNT
Game 6, May 16: Minnesota, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 7, May 19: Denver, time and TV TBA.
Season series: Draw 2-2
Key statistics: Minnesota, not known for its offensive prowess, scored a league-high 123.2 points per 100 possessions in the first round, while Denver's versatile offense was held back at times, averaging 113.4 points per 100 possessions in the first round.
Who to look out for: Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been sensational, and Denver's Nikola Jokic is one of the most talented centers in NBA history and will likely win his third MVP award in the past four seasons.
