Round two - otherwise known as the NBA conference semi-finals - is set to start this weekend (May 4th) when the Eastern Conference's Cleveland Cavaliers face the Indiana Pacers. Four teams are still fighting for the last two spots in the West with two game sevens set for this weekend after the Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 115 to 107 Friday night. Here's who's in for the conference semi-finals after the games played on the evening of May 2nd.:
◾ New York Knicks advanced to the Eastern conference semi-finals after defeating the Detroit Pistons 4-2. They will face the Boston Celtics who defeated the Orlando Magic in five games.
◾ After sweeping the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the NBA's top offensive rating with 121.0 points per 100 possessions, are on the other half of the Eastern bracket. They will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1, scheduled to begin May 4.
◾ The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 and are awaiting to see the winners of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series. The series is tied 3-3.
◾ The Oklahoma City Thunder, who swept the Memphis Grizzlies, were the only team to finish in the top three in defensive rating (first) and offensive rating (third). They will face the winners of the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers series. That series is tied 3-3.
Detail are still to be determined on the full schedule but here's an early look at the conference semi-finals series:
Dates and times yet to be announced.
Dates and times yet to be announced.