Getty Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Houston Rockets guard James Harden
The 2019 NBA Playoffs have provided early upsets, drama and a few teams proving they’re legitimate contenders to make a run to the NBA Finals right out of the gate. But before we get there, the second round is where attention shifts soon, as the field cuts down from 16 teams to eight and the semifinal matchups for both conferences get underway.
While fans have been left with plenty to talk about through round one, the potential second-round matchups are taking shape. The official dates and times of each specific matchup won’t be set until a few more teams lock up their spot in the second round, but we have at least an idea of what the future holds.
We’re going to take a look at the potential matchups as well as the second round dates and times that have been revealed to this point. It’s worth noting that these times can change/shift depending on when the first round wraps up.
Best Likely Round 2 NBA Playoff Matchups: Western Conference
As the opening round of the playoffs rolls on, we’re closer to a number of interesting possible matchups in the second round being set. One of the headliners is a series between the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed in the Golden State Warriors against the four-seed Houston Rockets.
This marks a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals, a series which the Warriors completed a comeback after trailing 3-2. The Rockets obviously want a chance to get a bit of revenge, and that series is now set.
The other side of the West will feature the Portland Trail Blazers against the Denver Nuggets. From there, the winners of each semifinal matchup would go on to meet in the Western Conference Finals.
Best Likely Round 2 NBA Playoff Matchups: Eastern Conference
While the West has provided some drama for NBA fans, the Eastern Conference has been more of what many expected to see. The No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks swept the Detroit Pistons while the four-seed Boston Celtics also rolled past the Indiana Pacers in impressive fashion with their own sweep. This sets up a matchup between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyrie Irving in round two.
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On the other half of the East bracket, the Philadelphia 76ers dropped Game 1 to the Brooklyn Nets but proceeded to win four straight. They’re playing with star center Joel Embiid battling a knee ailment, but when he’s been on the floor he’s remained dominant. They earned a second-round date with Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors, who also lost their opener against the Orlando Magic, but won four straight to follow.
The East wound up with the four top seeds advancing, while that remains up in the air in the West.
Round 2 NBA Playoff Schedule
Note: Tentative times and dates are listed below with all information courtesy of Sports Media Watch. These can change depending on a few varying factors, but as any new information comes out we’ll update this schedule.
Although round two will begin on April 29 at the latest, there’s a chance dates and times can be changed depending on when the opening round wraps up. As Sports Media Group points out, conference semifinals matchups could potentially be moved up to April 27-28.
UPDATE: Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer revealed the schedule for the series, with the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors being moved up to start on Saturday, April 27. The other times below remain tentative with the rest of the schedule not posted yet.
Saturday, April 27
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Sunday, April 28
- Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks 1 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Monday, April 29
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Tuesday, April 30
- Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors 10:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Wednesday, May 1
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Thursday, May 2
- Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Friday, May 3
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Time TBD (ESPN)
- Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Time TBD (ESPN)
Saturday, May 4
- Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Sunday, May 5
- Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Monday, May 6
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Time 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rocket 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Tuesday, May 7
- *Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors Time TBD (TNT)
- *Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets TBD (TNT)
Wednesday, May 8
- *Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Time TBD (TNT)
- *Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors TBD (TNT)
Thursday, May 9
- *Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers TBD (ESPN)
- *Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers TBD (ESPN)
Friday, May 10
- *Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Time TBD (ESPN)
- *Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets TBD (ESPN)
Sunday, May 12
- *Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors TBD (ABC or TNT)
- *Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets TBD (ABC or TNT)
- *Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors Time TBD (TNT)
Monday, May 13
- *Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Time TBD (TNT)
*If necessary
READ NEXT: NBA Playoff Bracket 2019: Updated Picture & Second-Round Matchups