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NBA playoffs 2024: Conference semifinals news, schedule, scores and highlights

Here's what you need to know about the conference semifinals, including the latest scores, news and schedules.

Alex Bregman homers twice, drives in 4 runs as Astros pound Athletics 9-2

— Alex Bregman homered twice and had a season-high four RBI to lead the Houston Astros to a 9-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Rangers drop 2 in row, to 'see what we're made of'

Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said New York's failure to close out the Hurricanes at home in Game 5 presents an important character test for his team.

Stott homers in 9th off Edwin Diaz, adds tiebreaking SAC fly in 10th as Phillies edge Mets 5-4

— Bryson Stott hit a leadoff homer in the ninth against All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and delivered the tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the 10th inning as the MLB-leading Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Mets 5-4 Monday night.

Amed Rosario drives in 3 runs with triple and double, Rays beat Red Sox 5-3

— Amed Rosario hit a two-run triple during Tampa Bay’s three-run first inning and the Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 on Monday night.

The NBA playoffs' conference semifinals are underway. Expect plenty of drama after a thrilling start to the postseason.

The Boston Celtics, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and top overall seed, battle the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. In the other East series, the No. 2 seed New York Knicks renew their old rivalry with the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers.

In the West, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder take on the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks. The other West clash pits the No. 2 seed and defending NBA Finals champion Denver Nuggets against the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves.

The four teams from each conference face off in a best-of-7 series to advance. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-7, and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home court advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary). 

We'll have complete coverage of the NBA playoffs all the way through the 2024 NBA Finals, which tip off on June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.

MORE: First-round news and scores |   Offseason guides

EASTERN CONFERENCE

  

Boston Celtics (1) lead the Cleveland Cavaliers (4), 3-1

Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95 Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94 Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93 Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102 Game 5: Wednesday, May 15 at Boston (7:00 p.m. ET, TNT) Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 at Cleveland (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at Boston 

Celtics outlast hobbled Cavaliers to take 3-1 series lead Cavs duo Donovan Mitchell, Jarett Allen out for Game 4 Celtics 'bounce back' with Game 3 road win over Cavaliers Sources: Celtics assistant Charles Lee to become Hornets coach Herring: One strength (and a flaw) for the Celtics, other playoff teams

 

New York Knicks (2) tied with the Indiana Pacers (6), 2-2

Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117 Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121 Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106 Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89 Game 5: Tuesday, May 14 at New York (8:00 p.m. ET, TNT) Game 6: Friday, May 17 at Indiana (ESPN) Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at New York (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

Knicks' Mitchell Robinson has ankle surgery, sources say Pacers cruise past Knicks, tie series at two games apiece Windhorst: The growing Tyrese Haliburton-Jalen Brunson rivalry Herring: The eight moves that fueled this Knicks resurrection Hockensmith: The birth of the Nova Knicks

WESTERN CONFERENCE

  

Dallas Mavericks (5) tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder (1), 2-2

Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110 Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101 Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96 Game 5: Wednesday, May 15 at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT) Game 6: Saturday, May 18 at Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 20 at Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

Luka Doncic battles knee, Kyrie Irving closes strong in Game 3 win MacMahon: Two under-the-radar trades turned the Mavs into a real threat Pelton: Why OKC's championship window is wide open for years to come Shelburne: Inside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's improbable rise

 

Minnesota Timberwolves (3) tied with the Denver Nuggets (2), 2-2

Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99 Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80 Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90 Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107 Game 5: Tuesday, May 14 at Denver (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT) Game 6: Thursday, May 16 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 19 at Denver

Anthony Edwards tells Jamal Murray: 'We love that; keep talking' Denver Nuggets even series with Minnesota Timberwolves 2-2 Nuggets' Nikola Jokic wins NBA MVP for 3rd time in 4 seasons Lowe: How Anthony Edwards' rise has led to the redemption of Karl-Anthony Towns Holmes: The forgotten Serbian legend who paved the way for Jokic and other stars