2013 NBA Playoffs — Conference Semifinals Preview
Eight teams are still alive in the chase for the NBA title. Five of the eight first-round NBA playoff series were won by the higher seeded teams, with sixth-seeded Memphis being the lowest seed still remaining. Here's a look at the match-ups for the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals:
Eastern Conference
(1) Miami Heat vs. (5) Chicago Bulls
The Miami Heat easily swept past the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Heat's LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen and Chris Bosh have helped Miami win 41 of its last 43 games. The Chicago Bulls won their first-round series over the Brooklyn Nets, 4-3. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer kept the Bulls alive, even though they were severely depleted by injuries and illness to Luol Deng, Nate Robinson and Kirk Hinrich. Chicago's defense can give any team fits in a short series. The teams split the season series, 2-2.
Game 1 in Miami: Mon., May 6; 7 p.m. (ET) on TNT
Game 2 in Miami: Wed., May 8; 7 p.m. (ET) on TNT
Game 3 in Chicago: Fri., May 10; 8 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
Game 4 in Chicago:
*Game 5 in Miami:
*Game 6 in Chicago:
*Game 7 in Miami:
(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Indiana Pacers
The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics, 4-2, in the first round. Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith provided the offense for the Knicks, but the team struggled to score when those two players weren't filling up the basket. The Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks, 4-2, in the first round. Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert all contributed heavily to the series win. The Pacers defended the three-point shot very well. The teams split their season series, 2-2.
Game 1 in New York: Sun., May 5; 3:30 p.m. (ET), ABC
Game 2 in New York: Tues., May 7; 7 p.m. (ET), TNT
Game 3 in Indianapolis: Sat., May 11; 8 p.m. (ET), ABC
Game 4 in Indianapolis
*Game 5 in New York
*Game 6 in Indianapolis
*Game 7 in New York
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Houston Rockets, 4-2, in the first round. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant was able to guide the team to victory after it lost Russell Westbrook for the season with a knee injury. Reggie Jackson and Kevin Martin have provided some offensive punch for the Thunder, while Serge Ibaka has been a defensive stalwart. The Memphis Grizzlies upset the Los Angeles Clippers, 4-2, in the first round. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol gave the Grizzlies superior front court play, while Tony Allen and Mike Conley work the backcourt. The Grizzlies won the season series between the teams, 2-1.
Game 1 in Oklahoma City: Sun., May 5, 1 p.m. (ET), ABC
Game 2 in Oklahoma City: Tues. May 7, 9:30 p.m. (ET), TNT
Game 3 in Memphis: Sat., May 11, 5 p.m. (ET), ESPN
Game 4 in Memphis
*Game 5 in Oklahoma City
*Game 6 in Memphis
*Game 7 in Oklahoma City
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Golden State Warriors
The San Antonio Spurs swept the Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoffs in the first round. San Antonio's Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard were key players in the easy victories. The Golden State Warriors knocked out the Denver Nuggets, 4-2, in the first round. Guard Stephen Curry was nearly unstoppable and will need to be neutralized by the Spurs defense in this series. The teams split the season series, 2-2.
Game 1 in San Antonio: Mon., May 6, 9:30 p.m. (ET), TNT
Game 2 in San Antonio: Wed., May 8, 9:30 p.m. (ET), TNT
Game 3 in Oakland: Sun., May 10, 10:30 p.m (ET), ESPN
Game 4 in Oakland
*Game 5 in San Antonio
*Game 6 in Oakland
*Game 7 in San Antonio
All series are best-of-seven.
* - if necessary