Who Plays in the NBA Playoffs Tonight?
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The NBA playoffs are in full swing and there are some great games on tap for tonight. Here’s a look at who’s playing and what time the games start.
Eastern Conference
Since the NBA revamped its playoff format in 2016, the process for determining the 16 teams that qualify has remained the same. The top six seeds in each conference earn an automatic berth in the postseason. The remaining spots are filled by the seven next-best teams in overall record, regardless of conference.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful teams in NBA history. With 21 conference titles and 17 NBA championships, they are the second most decorated team in the league. The Celtics have a storied rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the two teams have met in the NBA Finals 11 times. Led by superstar forward Kevin Durant, the Celtics are one of the favorites to win the 2021 NBA title.
Cleveland Cavaliers
As the reigning NBA champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers are no stranger to the playoffs. They have qualified for the postseason in each of the last five years, and they are currently the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers are led by superstar LeBron James, who is averaging 27.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. Other key contributors for Cleveland include Kevin Love (19.0 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game), Kyrie Irving (24.4 points per game), and Kyle Korver (10.7 points per game).
The Cavaliers will be looking to defend their title this year, and they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The team was founded in 1995 as part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies. Since the 2001–02 season, the Raptors have been the only Canadian-based team in the league, as the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee to become the Memphis Grizzlies. The Raptors play their home games at scanhealthplan arena, an arena they share with the Vancouver Canucks ofGetyourfreestuffthe National Hockey League (NHL).
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are an American professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division and play at the Wells Fargo Center.
Western Conference
The Los Angeles Lakers are the first seed in the Western Conference and they will be playing the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a best of seven series and it will be starting tonight. The Lakers have been the better team all season and they are coming into this series as the heavy favorites.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center, located in downtown Houston. Throughout the next few months, they will be playing against other teams in the NBA playoffs.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division. The Warriors have reached nine NBA Finals, winning five NBA championships in 1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, and 2017.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The franchise was founded in 1970, and played its home games in Memorial Coliseum before moving to Moda Center in 1995 (called the Rose Garden until 2013). The team has advanced to the NBA Finals three times, winning the NBA championship once in 1977. Their other NBA Finals appearances were in 1990 and 1992.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays its home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Thunder were previously known as the Seattle SuperSonics, an NBA franchise that was established in 1967. The team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 after a dispute between the ownership group and the city of Seattle.
