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The 2023 NBA playoffs have arrived, and fans across the country are buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming games. This year’s tournament features some of the league’s most exciting teams and players, as well as some intriguing storylines and rivalries. With the first round in full swing, let’s take a closer look at the scores, results, series schedules, and times for two of Friday’s matchups: Celtics vs. Hawks and Cavaliers vs. Knicks.
The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks will face off in a best-of-seven series that promises to be a high-scoring affair. The Celtics, led by young superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and secured the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Hawks, who have made significant strides under coach Nate McMillan, earned the sixth seed with a 43-39 record. The two teams split their four-game season series, with each side winning two games on their home court.
The first game of the series will take place at the TD Garden in Boston on Friday, May 5th, at 7:30 PM ET. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN, or stream it online via the ESPN app or NBA League Pass. The second game will also be played in Boston, on Sunday, May 7th, at 1 PM ET. Game 3 and 4 will shift to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, with Game 3 on Thursday, May 11th, at 8 PM ET, and Game 4 on Sunday, May 14th, at 7 PM ET. If necessary, Game 5 will be back in Boston on Tuesday, May 16th; Game 6 will be in Atlanta on Thursday, May 18th, and Game 7 (if needed) will be in Boston on Sunday, May 21st.
Another first-round matchup features the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, who both reached the postseason after missing out the previous year. The Cavs, led by the dynamic backcourt of Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, secured the fourth seed in the East with a 49-33 record, while the Knicks, sparked by the emergence of All-Star Julius Randle and the tough defense of coach Tom Thibodeau, grabbed the fifth seed with a 46-36 record. This series also split their four-game regular-season series, with the home team winning each game.
The first game of the series will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Friday, May 5th, at 8 PM ET. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN, or stream it online via the ESPN app or NBA League Pass. The second game will also be played in New York, on Sunday, May 7th, at 7 PM ET. Game 3 and 4 will shift to Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, with Game 3 on Thursday, May 11th, at 7 PM ET, and Game 4 on Sunday, May 14th, at 1 PM ET. If necessary, Game 5 will be back in New York on Tuesday, May 16th; Game 6 will be in Cleveland on Thursday, May 18th, and Game 7 (if needed) will be in New York on Saturday, May 20th.
As the playoffs heat up, fans can expect to witness some thrilling performances, buzzer-beaters, and upsets. The road to the NBA Finals is a long and challenging one, but the journey is what makes it all the more exciting. Stay tuned for more updates, scores, and highlights from the 2023 NBA playoffs.
