When will the Eastern Conference Finals tip off for the Boston Celtics?
BOSTON -- The Celtics are on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight season and the sixth time in the last eight years. Who they'll play for a trip to the NBA Finals remains unknown, but at least we know when the series will tip off.
Boston finished off the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, thanks to Al Horford turning back the clock and leading the team to a 113-98 series-clinching victory at TD Garden on Wednesday night. Now the Celtics will get a nice break before their next playoff bout begins.
Boston will face the winner of the Knicks-Pacers series, with New York leading the set 3-2 heading into Friday night's Game 6 in Indiana. Should the Pacers force a Game 7, that would take place Sunday in New York.
No matter what happens Friday night, the Eastern Conference Finals will tip off Tuesday in Boston. The Minnesota Timberwolves forced a Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets with a win on Thursday night, and that will take the Sunday spot in the NBA playoffs, regardless if the Knicks win or lose Friday night.
Eastern Conference Finals schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in Boston
Game 2: Thursday, May 23 at 8 p.m. in Boston
Game 3: Saturday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. in New York or Indiana
Game 4: Monday, May 27 at 8 p.m. in New York or Indiana
Game 5: Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m. in Boston*
Game 6: Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. in New York or Indiana*
Game 7: Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. in Boston*
* If Necessary
The Celtics will obviously be rooting for the Knicks and the Pacers to go seven and exhaust each other further. Horford could use a few extra days rest after his monster Game 5 against the Cavs, and if the Celtics are lucky, maybe Kristaps Porzingis could return early in the Conference Finals. (That may be wishful thinking, but time will tell.)
The Celtics should take full advantage of the rest they get before starting their battle for a spot in the NBA Finals. That will be important against either team, with the Pacers playing every game like a track meet and games against the Knicks resembling more of a boxing match.