Expert NBA GAME Previews

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tips Monday, May 4, 2026, at 8:00 PM at Madison Square Garden, with NBC and Peacock carrying the opener. New York enters as the No. 3 seed after a 53-29 regular season and a first-round win over Atlanta, while Philadelphia arrives as the No. 7 seed at 45-37 after erasing a 3-1 deficit

Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals starts Monday, May 4, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET at Frost Bank Center, and this is a fascinating opener for bettors because the matchup looks tighter than the listed spread. Minnesota arrives after closing out Denver in six games, while San Antonio handled Portland in five and comes in with the rest edge,

The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET on NBC, and the pressure is obvious. The series is tied 3-3, Boston is trying to avoid a blown 3-1 lead, and Philadelphia is trying to finish one of

Game 6 heads to Kia Center on Friday night with Orlando holding a 3-2 series lead and a real chance to finish off the top seed in the East. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET, the game streams on Amaz, and the pressure is a little different on each bench. Detroit just saved its season with a 116-109 win

Game 6 heads to Scotiabank Arena on Friday night with Cleveland carrying a 3-2 series lead and its first chance to close out this Eastern Conference first-round matchup. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET, the game streams on Prime Video, and the spot is pretty clear for both teams. The Cavaliers are trying to finish the job after a

Game 6 shifts back to Toyota Center on Friday night with the Lakers still holding a 3-2 series lead, but this series does not feel settled. Houston has taken the last two games, both with its defense setting the tone, and now the Rockets are back home with a chance to push this matchup to a winner-take-all Game 7. Tipoff

The Knicks head to Atlanta for Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead and a real chance to finish this first-round matchup on the road. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET on Thursday night at State Farm Arena, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. New York grabbed control again in Game 5 with a 126-97 win, and that result felt

Boston gets its second straight chance to close this series on Thursday night, heading to Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 6 with a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference first round. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET, and the game is available on Peacock. The Celtics finished the regular season 56-26 and entered the playoffs as the No. 2

Game 6 shifts back to Minneapolis with the Timberwolves holding a 3-2 lead and one more chance to finish this series at home. Tipoff is set for 9:30 PM ET at Target Center on Thursday night, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. Denver kept itself alive with a 125-113 win in Game 5, and that result mattered because it pushed a