NBA playoffs: Here’s the Celtics’ schedule for the Eastern Conference semifinals
The Celtics are still waiting to see if they'll play the Cavaliers or Magic, but most of the dates of their second-round series are set.
The Celtics ended their first-round series on Wednesday, taking down the Heat in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
As a reward for ending the series early, the Celtics will get some rest time before their next series opens. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals will either take place on Sunday, May 5 or Tuesday, May 7.
The start date is in flux because they take on the winner of the Cavaliers-Magic series. Fourth-seeded Cleveland took a 3-2 lead in the opening-round series on Tuesday. If it’s able to win the series on Friday, Game 1 will take place in Boston on Sunday. If the fifth-seeded Magic force a Game 7, Game 1 of the Celtics’ next series will happen on Tuesday.
While the Celtics went 64-18 in the regular season, both teams nabbed a victory against Boston this year. The Magic defeated the Celtics, 113-96, in Orlando on Nov. 24. The Celtics won both matchups in Boston by double-digits in December.
After the Celtics won both games against the Cavaliers at home in December, Cleveland won the March 5 matchup after coming back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter. While Donovan Mitchell didn’t play in that game, bench player Dean Wade scored 20 points in the final frame. Wade has been out since March 13 due to a knee sprain.
If Game 1 is held on Sunday, there will be a three-day break between Games 2 (May 7) and 3 (May 11). If Game 1 is held on Tuesday, the Celtics will be scheduled to play every other day through Game 7 on Sunday, May 19.
Here are the full schedules pending on each scenario.
Celtics’ Eastern Conference semifinals schedule
If the Cavaliers win on Friday:
Game 1: Cavaliers at Celtics, Sunday, May 5, 1 p.m. ABC
Game 2: Cavaliers at Celtics, Tuesday, May 7, time TBD
Game 3: Celtics at Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11, time TBD
Game 4: Celtics at Cavaliers, Monday, May 13, time TBD
Game 5: Cavaliers at Celtics, Wednesday, May 15, time TBD (if necessary)
Game 6: Celtics at Cavaliers, Friday, May 17, time TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Cavaliers at Celtics, Sunday, May, 19, time TBD (if necessary)
If the Magic win on Friday:
Game 1: Cavaliers/Magic at Celtics, Tuesday, May 7, time TBD
Game 2: Cavaliers/Magic at Celtics, Thursday, May 9, time TBD
Game 3: Celtics at Cavaliers/Magic, Saturday, May 11, time TBD
Game 4: Celtics at Cavaliers/Magic, Monday, May 13, time TBD
Game 5: Cavaliers/Magic at Celtics, Wednesday, May 15, time TBD (if necessary)
Game 6: Celtics at Cavaliers/Magic, Friday, May 17, time TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Cavaliers/Magic at Celtics, Sunday, May, 19, time TBD (if necessary)
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