NBA playoffs 2020: schedule, format, odds and how to watch

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. The NBA playoffs schedule for the first roundhas been released. Also, the two teams set to face off in the play-in tournament for the final seed in the Western Conference are also set.

Everything is different this time. Seeding doesn’t mean much and homecourt advantage doesn’t mean anythingat all. For the first time in NBA history, it feels like anything can happen and all teams have a legit shot at the championship.

The Orlando bubble has been a massive success and it feels like every game is closer than ever. Players are fully rested and focused on the ultimate goal, so we’re definitely going to see some playoff matchups for the ages.

But, what has changed for this year’s playoffs? Who’s going to play who? When, where, and how are these games going to take place and more importantly, wheredo I watch them? Check out everything there is to know about the NBA playoffs: all details, schedule, format, and how to watch.

What Teams Qualified For The Playoffs?

Western Conference:

Los Angeles Lakers (1)

Los Angeles Clippers (2)

Denver Nuggets (3)

Houston Rockets (4)

Oklahoma City Thunder (5)

Utah Jazz (6)

Dallas Mavericks (7)

Portland Trail Blazers(8)

Eastern Conference

Milwaukee Bucks (1)

Toronto Raptors (2)

Boston Celtics (3)

Indiana Pacers(4)

Miami Heat(5)

Philadelphia 76ers (6)

Brooklyn Nets (7)

Orlando Magic (8)

What Are The Matchup For The First Round Of The NBA Playoffs?

Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Los Angeles Clippers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)

Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Utah Jazz (6)

Houston Rockets (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5)

Eastern Conference

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)

Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (7)

Boston Celtics (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (6)

Indiana Pacers(4) vs. Miami Heat(5)

What Does A Team Need To Do To Advance In The NBA Playoffs?

All playoff matchups will be best-of-seven series, so a team must win 4 games to advance to the second round. The same will go for the second round, the Conference Finals, and, eventually, the NBA Finals.

Larry O’Brien Trophy. (Getty)

NBA Playoffs Schedule AndHow To Watch Or Stream Games

2020 NBA Western Conference First Round

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs.Portland Trail Blazers (8)

Game 1:Tue, Aug 18 Portland at Los Angeles, 9 ET, TNT
Game 2:Thu, Aug 20 Portland at Los Angeles, 9 ET, ESPN
Game 3:Sat, Aug 22 Los Angeles at Portland, 8:30ET, ABC
Game 4:Mon, Aug 24 Los Angeles at Portland, 9ET, TNT
Game 5*:Wed, Aug 26 Portland at Los Angeles, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Fri, Aug 28 Los Angeles at Portland, TBD, TBD
Game 7*:Sun, Aug 30 Portland at Los Angeles, TBD, TBD

* If necessary

Los Angeles Clippers (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)

Game 1:Mon, Aug 17 Dallas at LA, 9 ET, ESPN
Game 2:Wed, Aug 19 Dallas at LA, 9 ET, TNT
Game 3:Fri, Aug 21 LA at Dallas, 9 ET, TNT
Game 4:Sun, Aug 23 LA at Dallas, 3:30 ET, ABC
Game 5*:Tue, Aug 25 Dallas at LA, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Thu, Aug 27 LA at Dallas, TBD, ESPN
Game 7*:Sat, Aug 29 Dallas at LA, TBD, TNT

* If necessary

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Utah Jazz

Game 1:Mon, Aug 17 Utah at Denver, 1:30 ET, ESPN
Game 2:Wed, Aug 19 Utah at Denver, 4 ET, TNT
Game 3:Fri, Aug 21 Denver at Utah, 4 ET, TNT
Game 4:Sun, Aug 23 Denver at Utah, 9 ET, TNT
Game 5*:Tue, Aug 25 Utah at Denver, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Thu, Aug 27 Denver at Utah, TBD, ESPN
Game 7*:Sat, Aug 29 Utah at Denver, TBD, TNT

* If necessary

Houston Rockets (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5)

Game 1:Tue, Aug 18 Oklahoma City atHouston, 6:30 ET, TNT
Game 2:Thu, Aug 20 Oklahoma City at Houston, 3:30 ET, ESPN
Game 3:Sat, Aug 22 Houston at Oklahoma City, 6 ET, ESPN
Game 4:Mon, Aug 24 Houston at Oklahoma City, 4 ET, TNT
Game 5*:Wed, Aug 26 Oklahoma City atHouston, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Fri, Aug 28 Oklahoma City atHouston, TBD, TBD
Game 7*:Sun, Aug 30 Houston at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD

* If necessary

see also

Top 15 best 3-point shooters in NBA history

2020 NBA Eastern Conference First Round

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)

Game 1:Tue, Aug 18 Orlando at Milwaukee, 1:30 ET, TNT
Game 2:Thu, Aug 20 Orlando at Milwaukee, 6 ET, ESPN
Game 3:Sat, Aug 22 Milwaukee at Orlando, 1 ET, TNT
Game 4:Mon, Aug 24 Milwaukee at Orlando, 1:30 ET, NBATV
Game 5*:Wed, Aug 26 Orlando at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Fri, Aug 28 Milwaukee at Orlando, TBD, TBD
Game 7*:Sun, Aug 30 Orlando at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD

* If necessary

Toronto Raptors (2) vs.Brooklyn Nets (7)

Game 1:Mon, Aug 17 Brooklyn at Toronto, 4 ET, ESPN
Game 2:Wed, Aug 19 Brooklyn at Toronto, 1:30 ET, NBATV
Game 3:Fri, Aug 21 Toronto at Brooklyn, 1:30 ET, NBATV
Game 4:Sun, Aug 23 Toronto at Brooklyn, 6:30 ET, TNT
Game 5*:Tue, Aug 25 Brooklyn at Toronto, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Thu, Aug 27 Toronto at Brooklyn, TBD, ESPN
Game 7*:Sat, Aug 29 Brooklyn at Toronto, TBD, TNT

* If necessary

Boston Celtics (3) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (6)

Game 1:Mon, Aug 17 Philadelphia at Boston, 6:30 ET, ESPN
Game 2:Wed, Aug 19 Philadelphia at Boston, 6:30 ET, TNT
Game 3:Fri, Aug 21 Boston at Philadelphia, 6:30 ET, TNT
Game 4:Sun, Aug 23 Boston at Philadelphia, 1 ET, ABC
Game 5*:Tue, Aug 25 Philadelphia at Boston, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Thu, Aug 27 Boston at Philadelphia, TBD, ESPN
Game 7*:Sun, Aug 29 Philadelphia at Boston, TBD, TNT

* If necessary

Indiana Pacers (4) vs.Miami Heat(5)

Game 1:Tue, Aug 18 Miami vs. Indiana, 4 ET, TNT
Game 2:Thu, Aug 20 Miami vs. Indiana, 1 ET, ESPN
Game 3:Sat, Aug 22 Miami vs. Indiana, 3:30 ET, TNT
Game 4:Mon, Aug 24 Miami vs. Indiana, 6:30 ET, TNT
Game 5*:Wed, Aug 26 Miami vs. Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 6*:Fri, Aug 28 Miami vs. Indiana, TBD, TBD
Game 7*:Sun, Aug 30 Miami vs. Indiana, TBD, TBD

Aug. 31-Sept. 13: Conference semifinals

Sept. 15-Sept. 28: Conference Finals

Sept. 30: NBA Finals begin

Oct. 13: Last possible date for Game 7 of NBA Finals

ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and ABCwill air nationaly televised games throughout all their platforms. Also, all games will be aired onNBALeague Pass. Annual subscriptions go from $19.99 to $39.99(NBA TV, League Pass, League Pass Premium).

NBA Playoffs Odds: Who’ll Win The NBA Championship?

DraftKings & FanDuel