Celtics playoff schedule: Second-round series dates against Cavs or Magic originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics are on a mission.
The Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at TD Garden on Wednesday night, traveling to a 118-84 victory that gave them a 4-1 series victory and opened the passage to the second round. Outside of a Game 2 loss, in which Miami set a franchise playoff record for 3-pointers made, Boston has won every game by at least 14 points and outscored the Heat by an average of 15.5 points in five games.
The victory gives the Celtics some extra rest as they still await their opponent in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the winner of the No. 4-5 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. The Cavs currently lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Friday in Orlando.
The first Round 2 could begin is Sunday, and if the Magic win on Friday night to force Game 7, the series won’t begin until Tuesday, May 7. This could be a welcome development for the Celtics, who are hoping to stay injury-free big man Kristaps Porzingis for at least the next two weeks and could use as much extra time as possible for his rehabilitation.
Here’s a look at the potential dates for the Celtics’ second-round playoff series in two possible scenarios: the Cavs winning the series in six games or the Magic winning on Friday to take the series to seven games.
All start times are set, but NBC Sports Boston will have coverage starting one hour before each game with Celtics pregame liveas well as range coverage with Celtics halftime live and post-game coverage with Celtics postgame live.
If the Cavs win Game 6
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Game 1: Cavs x Celtics; Sunday, May 5th – 1pm ET
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Game 2: Cavs x Celtics; Tuesday, May 7th
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Game 3: Celtics at Cavs; Saturday, May 11th
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Game 4: Celtics at Cavs; Monday, May 13th
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Game 5:* Cavs vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15
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Game 6:* Celtics at Cavs; Friday, May 17th
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Game 7:* Cavs x Celtics; Sunday, May 19th
*If necessary
If the Magic win Game 6
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Game 1: Cavs/Magic vs. Tuesday, May 7th
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Game 2: Cavs/Magic vs. Thursday, May 9th
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Game 3: Celtics at Cavs/Magic; Saturday, May 11th
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Game 4: Celtics at Cavs/Magic; Monday, May 13th
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Game 5:* Cavs/Magic vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15
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Game 6:* Celtics at Cavs/Magic; Friday, May 17th
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Game 7:* Cavs/Magic vs. Sunday, May 19th
*If necessary
