As a result of Tuesday night’s gameplay, the Celtics are set to face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and the schedule is now out:
Game 1: Magic at Celtics on Sunday, April 20th at 3:30pm on ABC
Game 2: Magic at Celtics on Wednesday, April 23rd at 7pm on TNT
Game 3: Celtics at Magic on Friday, April 25th at 7pm on ESPN
Game 4: Celtics at Magin on Sunday, April 27th at 7pm on TNT
Game 5 (if necessary): Magic at Celtics on Tuesday, April 29th, time TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): Celtics at Magic on Thursday, May 1, time TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): Magic at Celtics on Saturday, May 3, time TBD
So, the Celtics will have their longest break at the beginning of the series — two full days of rest in between Game 1 and Game 2 — but will otherwise play every other day.
The Celtics will face the Magic in a playoff series for the first time since 2010
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen led the Celtics to a six-game series win over the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010. The two teams haven’t seen each other in the postseason in the last 14 years. The Magic made the playoffs last season, but lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in seven games.
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This year, the Magic (41-41) punched their ticket to the playoffs with a blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Hawks, meanwhile, will face the winner of the #9/#10 Play-In game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.
The other Eastern Conference Matchups are (mostly) finalized
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers will face the winner of Thursday’s play-in game (either the Hawks, Bulls, or Heat)
No. 3 New York Knicks will face the No. 6 Detroit Pistons
No. 4 Indiana Pacers will face the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
