Everything you need to know ahead of NBA Playoffs
With only a few games left to play of the regular season the fight for the Playoffs has reached the final stretch. This season’s new format opens up for 20 teams and an intriguing end of the regular season. There’s plenty of basketball to played in the upcoming weeks before we know which teams that’re set up for a spot in the Playoffs. Make sure to follow the games live on TV or live streaming, and don’t miss a match with Livesportsontv.com and the NBA TV- and live streaming schedule. Here’s our best picks of the weekend from the upcoming NBA fixtures.
NBA Playoffs & Play-in format – How it works
The 2021 NBA season has seen a new Play-in format taking shape where 20 teams, instead of 8, will participate in the postseason. This new format offers a number of additional spots in the NBA table worth fighting for, giving us fans plenty of interesting games in the final rounds of the regular season.
The new format is simple. Team 7-10 from each conference will proceed to the Play-in where the 7th and 8thseeded teams will face each other, as well as the 9th and 10th seeded teams. The winners in the games between the 7th and 8th seeded teams will proceed to the Playoffs while the losing teams will get another chance by playing the winners between the 9th and 10th seeded teams.
As the Playoffs begins on May 22nd there will be a total of 16 teams, 8 from each conference, participating. The Playoffs begins with the first round followed by the Conference Semifinals, the Conference Finals and finally the NBA Finals. The Playoffs are keeping the same structure and format as in previous seasons, meaning that teams face each other in best-of-seven series where the higher seeded teams get the home advantage.
San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers
Saturday 10:00 PM ET, Moda Center
The Spurs have been struggling in recent matches which has seen them slipping down in the table ahead of the final rounds. If they’re to play in the Playoffs later in May they’ll have to find back to their game. On Saturday they take on Portland Trail Blazers who’re currently 7th seeded in the Western Conference. There will be a lot at stake in this game where both teams are in big need of a win. You can watch the game live on NBCS Northwest.
Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
Sunday 1:00 PM ET, TD Garden
Another massive game this weekend is the one between the Celtics and the Heat. TD Garden is the venue for Saturday’s encounter that will help us determine which team that’s going to the Playoffs and who’s having to play in the Play-in. The teams are on the same win/lose record prior to Friday’s game. Who do you hold as favorites to win? Follow the action from TD Garden live on ESPN, Sportsnet and NBCS Boston – Check out the full TV and live streaming guide here!