Brandon Dill/Associated Press The 2019 NBA playoff schedule is officially set. After a long slog of a regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors locked up the top seeds in their respective conferences. Let's take a look at how things shake out as far as the first-round television schedule, per Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated, and take a look at our title contenders. Schedule Information No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons Game 1 at Milwaukee, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT Game 2 at Milwaukee, April 17 at 8 p.m. ET on NBA TV Game 3 at Detroit, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 4 at Detroit, April 22 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Milwaukee, April 24 at TBD on TBD Video Play Button Videos you might like *Game 6 at Detroit, April 26 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Milwaukee, April 28 at TBD on TBD No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic Game 1 at Toronto, April 13 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 2 at Toronto, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Orlando, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 4 at Orlando, April 21 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Toronto, April 23 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Orlando, April 25 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Toronto, April 27 at TBD on TNT No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets Game 1 at Philadelphia, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 2 at Philadelphia, April 15 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Brooklyn, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT Game 4 at Brooklyn, April 20 at 3 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Philadelphia, April 23 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Brooklyn, April 25 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Philadelphia, April 27 at TBD on TNT No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Indiana Pacers Game 1 at Boston, April 14 at 1 p.m. ET on TNT Game 2 at Boston, April 17 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Indiana, April 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC Game 4 at Indiana, April 21 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC *Game 5 at Boston, April 24 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Indiana, April 26 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Boston, April 28 at TBD on TBD No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers Game 1 at Golden State, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC Game 2 at Golden State, April 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Los Angeles, April 18 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 4 at Los Angeles, April 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC *Game 5 at Golden State, April 24 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Los Angeles, April 26 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Golden State, April 28 at TBD on TBD No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs Game 1 at Denver, April 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 2 at Denver, April 16 at 9 p.m. ET on NBA TV Game 3 at San Antonio, April 18 at 9 p.m. ET on NBA TV Game 4 at San Antonio, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Denver, April 23 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at San Antonio, April 25 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Denver, April 27 at TBD on TNT No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 6 Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 at Portland, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC Game 2 at Portland, April 16 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Oklahoma City, April 19 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 4 at Oklahoma City, April 21 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Portland, April 23 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Oklahoma City, April 25 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Portland, April 27 at TBD on TNT No. 4 Houston Rockets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz Game 1 at Houston, April 14 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 2 at Houston, April 17 at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 3 at Utah, April 20 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 4 at Utah, April 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5 at Houston, April 24 at TBD on TBD *Game 6 at Utah, April 26 at TBD on TBD *Game 7 at Houston, April 28 at TBD on TBD *If necessary Title Contenders Tier 1: The Champs 1) Golden State Warriors The only thing that can stop the Warriors from winning their third straight NBA championship is themselves. They've lacked rhythm on both ends of the floor since DeMarcus Cousins returned from injury. There's so much talent on the floor at all times, the Warriors resemble an Olympic team more than a cohesive unit most nights. That said, everyone on this roster knows the regular season was meaningless. It was a test phase to what will in all likelihood be the final run for this group. There have been rumors of Kevin Durant having one foot out the door all season. Boogie certainly won't be re-upping on another $5 million deal. Klay Thompson is a free agent as well. The Warriors' future is uncertain, but their present should be a breezy walk to another championship. Tier 2: The Three Eastern Contenders 2) Milwaukee Bucks The Bucks have been the class of the NBA during the regular season. They're the eighth team in NBA history to have at least 45 wins by double figures, per ESPN Stats & Info. The other seven each won the championship. Giannis Antetokounmpo is probably winning the league MVP, regardless anyone's stance on the matter. He's a deserving candidate, even if Harden's individual campaign is more memorable. He's the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76 to post 27 points, 12 rebounds and five assists per game. Only Giannis, Kareem, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor have done so in their careers. The Bucks have the league's fourth-best offense and top-rated defense, per NBA.com, and have all the hallmarks of a championship team. They have a foundational superstar, a bunch of elite surrounding talent that makes their defense smart and switchable, and an offensive system that jacks up a ton of good, smart threes. Milwaukee could push the Warriors to six or seven games. The team's lack of deep playoff experience is the biggest concern holding them back from being the clear-cut favorite in the East. 3) Philadelphia 76ers Starter minutes skyrocket in the playoffs, which is good news for a Sixers team that's extremely top heavy. Per NBA.com, the Sixers' starting lineup has outscored opponents by 17.6 points per 100 possessions this season, the best of any Eastern starting group. An issue: That starting lineup has played only 161 minutes together. Injuries have played a major factor, with Joel Embiid, in particular, piling up absences after the All-Star break. General manager Elton Brand told reporters the big man may not be ready for the start of the first round. Provided everyone stays on the floor, the Sixers are the best bet to challenge Milwaukee in the conference finals. Much has been made of Ben Simmons' lack of shooting coming back to haunt Philly in the playoffs, but this isn't the same Sixers team. There's more playmaking around Simmons than a year ago, and the Sixers are frankly talented enough they could go without him for some spells. Toronto and Milwaukee can beat up on the Sixers bench, and Philly doesn't match up well enough against Golden State to be a true title threat barring injury. But the ceiling here is really high. 4) Toronto Raptors These Raptors aren't the chokers of past years. Mostly because Masai Ujiri went about reconstructing the roster in hopes of ridding the franchise of its May demons.<doc-sep>The 2018-19 NBA season will end tonight with the NBA Playoffs set to begin on April 13. Between now and the end of the regular season, teams are still jockeying for playoff positioning and seeding. * * * Brooklyn Nets ✔️ The Nets clinched the No. 6 seed after a win against the Heat. Orlando Magic ✔️ The Magic clinched the No. 7 seed after a win AND a Nets win AND a Pistons win. Detroit Pistons ✔️ The Pistons clinched a playoff spot after a win. ✔️ The Pistons clinched the No. 8 seed after a win AND a Nets win AND a Magic win. Charlotte Hornets ❌ The Hornets did not clinch a playoff spot after a loss to Orlando. Charlotte couldn’t finish higher than No. 8. * * * East seeds after Wednesday night Everything’s locked in the East. Here’s the breakdown: 1. Milwaukee Bucks 2. Toronto Raptors 3. Philadelphia 76ers 4. Boston Celtics 5. Indiana Pacers 6. Brooklyn Nets 7. Orlando Magic 8. Detroit Pistons * * * Denver Nuggets The Nuggets clinch the No. 2 seed with a win. The Nuggets clinch the No. 3 seed with a loss. Relevant Games: • Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass) Houston Rockets The Rockets clinch the No. 2 seed with a Nuggets loss. The Rockets clinch the No. 3 seed with a Nuggets win AND a Blazers loss. The Rockets clinch the No. 4 seed with a Nuggets win AND a Blazers win. Relevant Games: • Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass) Portland Trail Blazers The Blazers clinch the No. 3 seed with a win AND a Nuggets win. The Blazers clinch the No. 4 seed with a loss. Relevant Games: • Kings vs. Blazers (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass) • Timberwolves vs. Nuggets (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass) Oklahoma City Thunder ✔️ The Thunder clinched the No. 6 seed with a win. San Antonio Spurs ✔️ The Spurs clinched the No. 7 seed with a win AND a Thunder win. LA Clippers ✔️ The Clippers were locked into the No. 8 seed with wins by the Spurs and Thunder. * * * West seeds after the early Wednesday games All eight playoff spots are clinched in the West, but three seeds are still up for grabs. Here’s a look at the current breakdown: 1. Golden State Warriors 2. Denver Nuggets or Houston Rockets 3. Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets or Portland Trail Blazers 4. Portland Trail Blazers or Houston Rockets 5. Utah Jazz 6. Oklahoma City Thunder 7. San Antonio Spurs 8. LA Clippers * * *<doc-sep>Playoff basketball is back! It has been a long regular season (177 days, to be exact), but the postseason has arrived, and it looks a lot different than it did a year ago. For the first time since 2010, a team not led by LeBron James will emerge from the Eastern Conference, and for the first time since 2005, James will not be involved in the festivities. As for the players, teams and matchups to know, well, we've got you covered. Jump to a series: West: Warriors-Clippers | Nuggets-Spurs Blazers-Thunder | Rockets-Jazz East: Bucks-Pistons | Raptors-Magic 76ers-Nets | Celtics-Pacers 2019 NBA playoffs: Matchups, schedules, news and more 2018-19 record: 57-25 BPI odds vs. LAC: 89 percent Warriors Playoff Tickets There were a lot of emotional highs and lows, but through it all, this group continued to churn out wins and locked up the top spot in the West. The process of trying to get up for most games in the regular season was emotionally draining, but the Warriors held to the belief that they'd be ready when it counted most. The push for a three-peat has begun. Season in a single game: Jan. 15 The Warriors came into a showdown against Denver hearing some chatter that the Nuggets were ready to give them a push in the Western Conference. OK. Klay Thompson & Co. proceeded to score a league-record 51 first-quarter points and demolish an overwhelmed Nuggets team. The game offered a reminder to the rest of the league that the Warriors are still better than anyone else when they want to focus and play at their peak. There's trouble brewing: The Warriors are confident that nobody can beat them if they stay healthy and play together. A potential Oklahoma City first-round series would have been interesting, given Kevin Durant's history with his former team, but the only team that would give the Warriors much pause in the West is the Rockets, especially if Chris Paul can stay healthy. But with home-court advantage at Oracle and the motivation of chasing history, the only thing that truly concerns the Warriors is the possibility of a star injury. One big stat and why it matters: Has the regular season become too boring, or does Golden State have some issues that might pop up late in the playoffs? The Warriors' point differential of plus-6.6 at home this season was their worst under Steve Kerr (since 2014-15), and it's a far cry from their plus-16.0 point differential two seasons ago. The Warriors also suffered eight 20-point losses this season, which becomes important when you realize that no NBA champion has suffered more than six during a title run. Get to know: Quinn Cook Cook is the Warriors' secret offensive weapon off the bench. The diminutive point guard has found his stride the past few weeks, going 48-for-78 in his past 10 games. He is shooting the ball with confidence while providing Kerr a solid option off the bench. Cook has the ability to be a difference-maker in short bursts. What to watch in Round 1: DeMarcus Cousins vs. Montrezl Harrell. This marks the first playoff series for Cousins, and he will oppose Harrell, an active big man who will try to move him around. Cousins' teammates and coaches have been looking forward to seeing how he would perform on this stage; he'll have a chance to spread the floor when needed and bang down on the blocks against the Clippers. Cousins has played against the Clippers three times this season, which is impressive given he has played only 30 games total since returning in mid-January from an Achilles injury that kept him out for almost a year. In those three games, Cousins averaged 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. -- Nick Friedell 2018-19 record: 48-34 BPI odds vs. GS: 11 percent Clippers Playoff Tickets No team in the league has existed in a greater state of flux the past two seasons than the Clippers, yet here they are -- improbably -- in the NBA playoffs. A far cry from the perennial Lob City squads, this Clippers team is a collection of lunch-pail journeymen and young prospects, many of whom didn't arrive until the trade deadline, when the Clippers dealt away Tobias Harris. Rather than close up shop and ready themselves for a busy offseason after losing one of their most productive players, the Clippers caught fire and secured themselves a playoff berth as the ultimate energy team. Season in a single game: Feb. 9 Three days after trading Harris and playing with two new starters who had yet to step foot in the team's training facility in Los Angeles, the Clippers found themselves down 28 points in the second quarter in Boston and trailed by 21 at the half. After intermission, the Clippers held the Celtics to a 12-point third quarter before exploding for 42 points in the final frame. Rookie Landry Shamet, acquired from Philadelphia as part of the package for Harris, drained four 3-pointers in his Clippers debut. "We broke out the JJ Redick package with him," said Doc Rivers, referencing his old shooting guard in praise of his new one. Why they're dangerous: By nearly every projection, the Clippers shouldn't be playing playoff basketball, which means they have nothing to lose. Lou Williams believes he can score against anybody. Montrezl Harrell plays with reckless abandon, big moment be damned. And there isn't a shot from distance that Danilo Gallinari doesn't think he can drain. The kids -- Shamet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ivica Zubac? They're too young to know any better and are propelled by the confidence earned during the Clippers' sizzling post-All-Star-break run. Best plus/minus in clutch time (2018-19) TEAM Clutch +/- LA Clippers +65 Denver Nuggets +55 Philadelphia 76ers +43 Toronto Raptors +41 One big stat and why it matters: The Clippers have been arguably the best team in the NBA at closing out tight games. They have a plus-65 plus/minus in clutch time this season, first in the league. Lou Williams' play is a huge reason. His plus-92 plus/minus in clutch time ranks first in the NBA among individual players. The next-best individual plus/minus in clutch time this season belongs to Denver's Nikola Jokic, at plus-89. Get to know: Montrezl Harrell A second-rounder made good, Harrell is more than a mere energy guy who buzzes around the floor. He might not start for the Clippers but is a good bet to play crucial minutes. The Clippers' backup big man has serious skills as Lou Williams' dance partner in one of the most effective pick-and-roll attacks in the league, and he is an efficiency machine with a nose for the rim. Among players who log more than 24 minutes per night, Harrell ranks second to Giannis Antetokounmpo in true shooting percentage. What to watch in Round 1: Gilgeous-Alexander has enjoyed a superb rookie campaign and has shown flashes of the lanky, defensive presence at the top of the floor that he projects to be. Now comes his graduate exam: Stephen Curry. Veteran Patrick Beverley will spend much of his time hounding Curry, but the Clippers' 20-year-old point guard will get a prime opportunity to use his length and agility against the Warriors' ballet in preparation for a day when the ask is more reasonable and the Clippers find themselves in a high-stakes series. Depending on how the Clippers fare this summer, that could be sooner than later. -- Kevin Arnovitz 2018-19 record: 54-28 BPI odds vs. SA: 71 percent Nuggets Playoff Tickets There are times when a team ends a season in disappointment but on an upward tilt that leads to expectation the next season that is difficult to meet. Well, the Nuggets didn't just meet that expectation. They jumped in a jet and zoomed past. Nikola Jokic blossomed into an All-NBA star, and the mix of role players and emerging talent has led to an excellent team. The Nuggets play defense, move the ball and have terrific chemistry. But as it goes for any young team, it's unknown how they will look in the pressure cooker of the postseason. Season in a single game: Jan. 13<doc-sep>
Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard will take their beef to the first round of the playoffs. (Getty Images) The 2018-19 NBA regular season came to a close on Wednesday, when seven of the league’s first-round playoff series were finally solidified and some unfortunate injury news impacted the eighth matchup. The first postseason sans LeBron James since 2005 is somehow upon us. Here’s the full schedule and a breakdown of every series, listed from least to most likely upset. No. 1 Golden State Warriors (57-25) vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Clippers (48-34) The Clippers were one of the NBA’s best stories all season, surviving the trade of their best player for a second straight year and somehow making the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference. Doc Rivers deserves Coach of the Year consideration for finding a way with a team that started rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the point. Granted, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell are both Sixth Man of the Year candidates, and Danilo Gallinari enjoyed a bounce-back season, but the Clippers are a collection of good players without a great one at the helm. The Warriors, meanwhile, start five All-Stars, two of whom are former MVPs, and all but one of them has won multiple championships. Golden State may have seemed disinterested for much of this season and downright dysfunctional at times, but Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are still capable of blowing everyone’s doors off when they want. That quartet outscored opponents by 16.7 points per 100 possessions when they shared the court this season, and now they have DeMarcus Cousins to pit against opposing bigs. The Clips surprised the Warriors with an overtime win in their first meeting, back when they had Tobias Harris, and they came within two points the second time around, but the Warriors stomped them in their final two meetings, including a 27-point reminder over the weekend. A first-round upset of the two-time defending champs would be one of the biggest in NBA history. • Game 1 @GS: 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 13 (ABC) Story continues • Game 2 @GS: 10:30 p.m. ET, Monday, April 15 (TNT) • Game 3 @LAC: 10:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 18 (TNT) • Game 4 @LAC: 3:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 21 (ABC) • Game 5 @GS: TBD, Wednesday, April 24 (TBD)* • Game 6 @LAC: TBD, Friday, April 26 (TBD)* • Game 7 @GS: TBD, Sunday, April 28 (TBD)* No. 2 Toronto Raptors (58-24) vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic (42-40) Armed now with Kawhi Leonard and the confidence of not having to meet LeBron in any round, the Raptors are poised to make their deepest playoff run in franchise history. The rise of Pascal Siakam, the midseason addition of Marc Gasol and their cache of smothering defensive-minded wings add to the list of reasons to believe Toronto can finally get the playoff monkey off its back. With Leonard and Siakam on the floor together, the Raptors outscored opponents by double digits per 100 possessions this season, and they own a positive net rating with either one on the floor without the other, which means the Magic will forever face 48 minutes of relentlessness. Orlando made the playoffs for the first time since Dwight Howard left town, adopting new coach Steve Clifford’s mantra to the tune of a top-10 defense. Nikola Vucevic, the Montenegrin big man who the Magic acquired in trading Howard, made a contract year leap to All-Stardom this season, boosting an offense that is otherwise inefficient and starts D.J. Augustin at point guard. Outside of Augustin and old Raptors friend Terrence Ross, the Magic are wildly inexperienced in the playoffs, and it would not be surprising to see a just-happy-to-be-here effort out of Orlando. • Game 1 @TOR: 5 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 13 (ESPN) • Game 2 @TOR: 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 16 (TNT) • Game 3 @ORL: 7 p.m. ET, Friday, April 19 (ESPN) • Game 4 @ORL: 7 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 21 (TNT) • Game 5 @TOR: TBD, Tuesday, April 23 (TBD)* • Game 6 @ORL: TBD, Thursday, April 25 (TBD)* • Game 7 @TOR: TBD, Saturday, April 27 (TNT)* Giannis Antetokounmpo is the MVP frontrunner, but Blake Griffin isn't backing down to anyone. (Getty Images) No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (60-22) vs. No.