The 2020 NBA playoffs are almost Here. Once the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies face off to determine who will be the final playoff team in the Western Conference, things will be as close to normal as they can be in 2020: 16 teams (eight for each conference) playing best. of seven series to determine an NBA champion.
Everything you need to know about the first bubble playoffs will be here from now until mid-October, when instead of preparing for the 2020-21 season, we will crown this season’s champion (good news: they won’t have to travel far for a celebratory parade at the Walt Disney World Resort).
Latest playoff news and analysis
• Everything to know about the teams that can win the title
• Find the biggest flaw with every NBA playoff block
• Zach Lowe’s 10 Things: Michael Porter Jr. and a rising power in the East
• NBA play-in prediction: Why the Grizzlies have a chance to beat the Blazers
• The choices of the experts: predictions for the play-in and for each series of the first round
Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access.
BPI series odds: MIL (95%) | Caesars betting odds: MIL -15000
01:51
Kendrick Perkins cites the Bucks’ poor defense as the reason they were the most underwhelming team in the NBA bubble.
Game 1, August 18: Magic vs Bucks | 1:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 2, August 20: Magic vs Bucks | 6pm ET on ESPN
Game 3, August 22: Bucks vs Magic | 1pm ET on TNT
Game 4, August 24: Bucks vs Magic | 1:30 PM ET on NBA TV
Game 5 (if needed), August 26: Magic vs Bucks | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 28: Bucks vs Magic | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 30th: Magic vs Bucks | TBD
• How to beat the money: three ways to overthrow this behemoth
• Magic’s Mo Bamba leaves the post-coronavirus evaluation bubble to skip the playoffs
• How Markelle Fultz finally found her place in the NBA
BPI series odds: TOR (86%) | Caesars betting odds: TOR -5000
00:51
Jay Williams reacts to the Raptors’ win over the Lakers over the weekend and explains why their defense can fuel them to another NBA title.
Game 1, August 17th: Nets vs Raptors | 4pm ET on ESPN
Game 2, August 19th: Nets vs Raptors | 1:30 PM ET on NBA TV
Game 3, August 21: Raptors vs Nets | 1:30 PM ET on NBA TV
Game 4, August 23: Raptors vs Nets | 6:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 5 (if needed), August 25: Nets vs Raptors | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 27th: Raptors vs Nets | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 29th: Nets vs Raptors | TBD
• Start considering the real contenders for the Raptors NBA title
• Zach Lowe on the hottest nerd thing in the NBA
BPI series odds: BOS (71%) | Caesars betting odds: BOS -460
01:03
Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce agree that the 76ers won’t go far in the playoffs due to injuries to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Game 1, August 17th: 76ers vs Celtics | 6:30 PM ET on ESPN
Game 2, August 19th: 76ers vs Celtics | 6:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 3, August 21: Celtics vs 76ers | 6:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 4, August 23: Celtics vs 76ers | 1 pm ET on ABC
Game 5 (if needed), August 25: 76ers vs Celtics | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 27th: Celtics vs 76ers | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 29th: 76ers vs Celtics | TBD
• The Celtics will go as far as Brown and Tatum who will lead them
• What to expect from the Sixers with Ben Simmons out
BPI series odds: MIA (57%) | Caesars betting odds: MIA -300
3:00 am
Jimmy Butler sits down with Rachel Nichols to discuss his meat with TJ Warren and the Pacers, as well as his confidence that the Heat can take home the championship.
Game 1, August 18: Heat vs Pacers | 4pm ET on TNT
Game 2, August 20: Heat vs Pacers | 1pm ET on ESPN
Game 3, August 22: Pacers vs Heat | 3:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 4, August 24: Pacers vs Heat | 6:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 5 (if needed), August 26: Heat vs Pacers | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 28: Pacers vs Heat | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 30th: Heat vs Pacers | TBD
• Miami bet on Jimmy Butler that Chicago could never do
• Why some NBA coaches like the new casual look and others don’t
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BPI series odds: LAL (86%)
01:46
Stephen A. Smith voices his concerns about the Lakers defense and is confident they won’t beat the Clippers playing that way.
Game 1, August 18: POR / MEM vs Lakers | 9pm ET on TNT
Game 2, August 20: POR / MEM vs Lakers | 9pm ET on ESPN
Game 3, August 22: Lakers vs POR / MEM | 8:30 pm ET on ABC
Game 4, August 24: Lakers vs POR / MEM | 9pm ET on TNT
Game 5 (if needed), August 26: POR / MEM vs Lakers | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 28: Lakers vs POR / MEM | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 30th: POR / MEM vs Lakers | TBD
• Prediction of LeBron James’ future titles and NBA legacy
• As year 2 of LeBron and the Lakers turned into a roller coaster
BPI series shares: LAC (65%) | Caesars betting odds: LAC -460
02:15
David Jacoby questions the Clippers’ stamina in the bubble, but Jalen Rose is adamant that, despite the setbacks, the Clippers will win the West.
Game 1, August 17th: Mavericks vs Clippers | 9pm ET on ESPN
Game 2, August 19th: Mavericks vs Clippers | 9pm ET on TNT
Game 3, August 21: Clippers vs Mavericks | 9pm ET on TNT
Game 4, August 23: Clippers vs Mavericks | 3:30 pm ET on ABC
Game 5 (if needed), August 25: Mavericks vs Clippers | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 27th: Clippers vs Mavericks | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 29th: Mavericks vs Clippers | TBD
• Sources: The Clippers’ Montrezl Harrell should be eligible for Game 1 against the Mavericks
• Lou Williams says opponents should be wary of motivated Montrezl Harrell
• Luka Playoffs: What to expect in Doncic’s first NBA season
BPI series shares: UTAH (51%) | Caesars betting odds: DEN -230
01:55
Kendrick Perkins thinks Donovan Mitchell shouldn’t be going anywhere because he has a chance to be the # 1 option on a very successful jazz team.
Game 1, August 17th: Jazz vs Nuggets | 1:30 PM ET on ESPN
Game 2, August 19th: Jazz vs Nuggets | 4pm ET on TNT
Game 3, August 21: Nuggets vs Jazz | 4pm ET on TNT
Game 4, August 23: Nuggets vs Jazz | 9pm ET on TNT
Game 5 (if needed), August 25: Jazz vs Nuggets | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 27th: Nuggets vs Jazz | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 29th: Jazz vs Nuggets | TBD
• Michael Porter Jr. and eight other successful players in Orlando
• Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert and the rift between them
BPI series odds: HOU (66%) | Caesars betting odds: HOU -170
02:25
Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins contest the fact that Max Kellerman chose Luka Doncic over James Harden.
Game 1, August 18: Thunder vs. Rockets | 6:30 PM ET on TNT
Game 2, August 20: Thunder vs. Rockets | 3:30 PM ET on ESPN
Game 3, August 22: Rockets vs. Thunder | 6pm ET on ESPN
Game 4, August 24: Rockets vs. Thunder | 4pm ET on TNT
Game 5 (if needed), August 26: Thunder vs. Rockets | TBD
Game 6 (if needed), August 28: Rockets vs. Thunder | TBD
Game 7 (if needed), August 30th: Thunder vs. Rockets | TBD
• Chris Paul, the Thunder and the best line-up you don’t know
• How Russell Westbrook’s injury changes the Rockets’ playoff chances
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