For the first time in a long time, there are no NBA games tonight. Instead, the final four teams will rest up and prepare for what is sure to be a thrilling set of Conference Finals.
On one side, we have the heavy favorite Boston Celtics taking on this year's Cinderella story in the Indiana Pacers. As of right now though, it appears the Pacers are the team of destiny. After losing the NBA's in-season tournament finals, perhaps the Pacers are fated to return to the actual finals now.
In the West, the Dallas Mavericks shocked the world by taking out the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder but now face arguably an even tougher test as the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to take down MVP Nikola Jokic and the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets. Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have now reached the Western Conference Finals in two of the last three years, but until the team can win the NBA Finals, the narrative that Doncic cannot succeed in the playoffs will subsist.
Here's the full Conference Finals schedule.
NBA News:There's no clear NBA title favorite. Get used to it − true parity has finally arrived
Updated 2024 NBA Playoff Bracket:
Eastern Conference:
First Round:
- No. 1 Boston Celtics def. No. 8 Miami Heat, 4-1
- No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers def. No. 5 Orlando Magic, 4-3
- No. 6 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks, 4-2
- No. 2 New York Knicks def. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2
Conference Semis:
- No. 1 Boston Celtics def. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-1
- No. 6 Indiana Pacers def. No. 2 New York Knicks, 4-3
Western Conference:
First Round:
- No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans, 4-0
- No. 5 Dallas Mavericks def. No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers, 4-2
- No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves def. No. 6 Phoenix Suns, 4-0
- No. 2 Denver Nuggets def. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1
Conference Semis:
- No. 5 Dallas Mavericks def. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-2
- No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves def. No. 2 Denver Nuggets, 4-3
NBA Conference Finals schedule:
*all times Eastern
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
Game 1:Tuesday at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2
Game 2:Thursday at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 3:Saturday at Indiana, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Game 4:Monday, May 27 at Indiana, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2
Game 5 (if necessary):Wednesday, May 29 at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 6 (if necessary):Friday, May 31 at Indiana, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 7 (if necessary):Sunday, June 2 at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
Game 1:Wednesday at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2:Friday at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3:Sunday at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4:Tuesday, May 28 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 (if necessary):Thursday, May 30 at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 6 (if necessary):Saturday, June 1 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 7 (if necessary):Monday, June 3 at Minnesota, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Conference Finals Predictions:
Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today: Celtics in five, Timberwolves in six
Zillgitt writes, "The Timberwolves have discovered an adequate amount of offense in the playoffs, so with their No. 1 defense, it's going to come down to how well they can defend Doncic who was on the Game 6 conference semifinals injury report with a sprained right knee and left ankle soreness."
Nick Goss, NBC Sports: Celtics in five
Despite Goss noting that Porzingis would be unavailable for the Celtics to start the series, Goss believes Boston will make quick work of the Pacers, writing "The Celtics have the edge in talent, depth and experience. They also have home court advantage. The Pacers should not be taken lightly, but it's hard to imagine them playing the type of defense that will be required to pull off a shocking upset."
Kyle Irving, Sporting News: Celtics in six
Irving writes, "Porzingis' availability will be a major factor in how many games this series lasts. If he can return after the first two games, Boston could win in five games. With the looming uncertainty around his health, it feels safer to say Celtics in six."
Since this prediction was released, it was revealed that Porzingis would miss the start of the Eastern Conference Finals. How much time he will end up missing is still unclear.
Stephen Noh, Sporting News: Timberwolves in seven
Noh writes, "This series is going to be a dogfight between two great teams. Minnesota is as well-equipped as anyone to slow down Luka's pick-and-rolls while also having another quality defender to throw at Irving. That should give the Timberwolves the edge in this series."
NBA Conference Finals odds:
Odds to win NBA Championship:
According to BetMGM, the Boston Celtics are the heavy favorites to win the 2024 NBA title.
- Boston Celtics (-150)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+260)
- Dallas Mavericks (+500)
- Indiana Pacers (+3000)
Odds to win Eastern/Western Conference:
Eastern Conference:
- Boston Celtics (-900)
- Indiana Pacers (+600)
Western Conference:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (-185)
- Dallas Mavericks (+150)
NBA Draft News:Bronny James leaves NBA draft combine as potential second-round pick - in some eyes
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
