2015 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference matchups, schedule
It came down to a wild final night of regular-season action, but the eight Eastern Conference playoff participants are locked in and the first-round matchups are set.
No. 1 Atlanta Hawks (60-22) vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Nets (38-44)
| Date | Time (EST) | Location | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday April 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Atlanta | TNT |
| Wednesday April 22 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta | NBA TV |
| Saturday April 25 | 3 p.m. | Brooklyn | TNT |
| Monday April 27 | TBD | Brooklyn | TBD |
| *Wednesday April 29 | TBD | Atlanta | TBD |
| *Friday May 1 | TBD | Brooklyn | TBD |
| *Sunday May 3 | TBD | Atlanta | TBD |
Season series: Hawks won 4-0
Notable: Nets clinched berth on last day of season; Hawks' Paul Millsap shot 2-of-9 in his first game back from a shoulder injury; Paul Pierce is probably not picking the Nets to win this series.
No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) vs. No. 7 Boston Celtics (40-42)
| Date | Time (EST) | Location | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday April 19 | 3 p.m. | Cleveland | ABC |
| Tuesday April 21 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland | TNT |
| Thursday April 23 | 7 p.m. | Boston | TNT |
| Sunday April 26 | 1 p.m. | Boston | ABC |
| *Tuesday April 28 | TBD | Cleveland | TBD |
| *Thursday April 30 | TBD | Boston | TBD |
| *Saturday May 2 | TBD | Cleveland | TNT |
Season series: Tied 2-2
Notable: Cavaliers won 28 of last 31 games in which James, Irving and Love all played; Celtics went 24-12 to finish season; Cavs coach David Blatt's take: "Not a simple first round matchup."
No. 3 Chicago Bulls (50-32) vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)
| Date | Time (EST) | Location | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday April 18 | 7 p.m. | Chicago | ESPN |
| Monday April 20 | 8 p.m. | Chicago | TNT |
| Thursday April 23 | 8 p.m. | Milwaukee | NBA TV |
| Saturday April 25 | 5:30 | Milwaukee | TNT |
| *Monday April 27 | TBD | Chicago | TBD |
| *Thursday April 30 | TBD | Milwaukee | TBD |
| *Saturday May 2 | TBD | Chicago | TNT |
Season series: Bulls won 3-1
Notable: Bucks have not won playoff series since 2001, tied with Raptors for longest drought in NBA.
No. 4 Toronto Raptors (49-33) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (46-36)
| Date | Time (EST) | Location | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday April 18 | 12:30 p.m. | Toronto | ESPN |
| Tuesday April 21 | 8 p.m. | Toronto | NBA TV |
| Friday April 24 | 8 p.m. | Washington | ESPN2 |
| Sunday April 26 | 7 p.m. | Washington | TNT |
| *Wednesday April 29 | TBD | Toronto | TBD |
| *Friday May 1 | TBD | Washington | TBD |
| *Sunday May 3 | TBD | Toronto | TBD |
Season series: Raptors won 3-0
Notable: Wizards' John Wall, Raptors' Kyle Lowry were starting backcourt for Eastern Conference All-Stars; Both teams are under .500 in 2015; Raptors have won six of last seven meetings.