In nothing short of a surprise, the New Orleans Pelicans were the first team to punch their ticket to the Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, as they swept the Portland Trail Blazers.
They’ve since been joined in the second round by the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz. The defending champions eliminated the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs in five games, the Rockets also defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, and the Jazz went six against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The No. 1 seeded Rockets now face the Jazz, with their best-of-seven series beginning Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Center. The Warriors and Pelicans tipped off on Saturday night, with the defending champions opening the series with a win.
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors, who clinched the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history, draw the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James led the Cavs past the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 on Sunday, keeping his perfect record in first-round series intact.
Included below are known Conference Semifinals schedules, start times (all PT) and TV information.
No. 1 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz
Game 1: Jazz at Rockets, Sunday, April 29, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Game 2: Jazz at Rockets, Wednesday, May 2, 5:00 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3: Rockets at Jazz, Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: Rockets at Jazz, Sunday, May 6, 5 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5*: Jazz at Rockets, Tuesday, May 8, TBD (TNT)
Game 6*: Rockets at Jazz, Thursday, May 10, TBD (ESPN)
Game 7*: Jazz at Rockets, Monday, May 14, TBD (TNT)
No. 2 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 6 New Orleans Pelicans
Game 1: Pelicans at Warriors, Saturday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: Pelicans at Warriors, Tuesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3: Warriors at Pelicans, Friday, May 4, 5:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 4: Warriors at Pelicans, Sunday, May 6, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
Game 5*: Pelicans at Warriors, Tuesday, May 8, TBD (TNT)
Game 6*: Warriors at Pelicans, Thursday, May 10, TBD (ESPN)
Game 7*: Pelicans at Warriors, Monday, May 14, TBD (TNT)
No. 1 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 1: Cavaliers at Raptors, Tuesday, May 1, 5 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: Cavaliers at Raptors, Thursday, May 3, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3: Raptors at Cavaliers, Saturday, May 5, 5:30 p.m. (TBD)
Game 4: Raptors at Cavaliers, Monday, May 7, 5:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 5*: Cavaliers at Raptors, Wednesday, May 9, TBD (TNT)
Game 6*: Raptors at Cavaliers, Friday, May 11, TBD (ESPN)
Game 7*: Cavaliers at Raptors, Sunday, May 13, TBD (TBD)
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers
Game 1: 76ers at Celtics, Monday, April 30, 5 p.m. (TNT)
Game 2: 76ers at Celtics, Thursday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. (TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at 76ers, Saturday, May 5, TBD
Game 4: Celtics at 76ers, Monday, May 7, TBD, (TNT)
Game 5*: 76ers at Celtics, Wednesday, May 9, TBD (TNT)
Game 6*: Celtics at 76ers, Friday, May 11, TBD (ESPN)
Game 7*: 76ers at Celtics, Sunday, May 13, TBD
*if necessary
