This is the complete schedule of the NBA 2025 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: Dates and matchups
The line-up is set for the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, after the top four seeds all advanced from the First Round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Boston Celtics remain on course to reach their third NBA Finals in four years, as the defending champions prepare for a Conference Semi-Final against a New York Knicks team chasing the franchise’s first title in 52 years.
How the Eastern Conference First Round played out
The No. 2 seed in the East, the Celtics progressed to the Conference Semi-Finals with a 4-1 series win over the Orlando Magic. The third-seeded Knicks, meanwhile, claimed a 4-2 First-Round victory over the Detroit Pistons.
In the Eastern Conference’s other Semi-Final, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers face the No.4 seed, the Indiana Pacers. Pursuing their first Larry O’Brien Trophy since winning their only title in 2016, the Cavaliers whitewashed the Miami Heat in the First Round.
The Pacers - whose last title came back in the ABA in 1973, before its merger with the NBA - knocked out two-time champions the Milwaukee Bucks in the First Round, courtesy of a 4-1 triumph.
Tyrese Haliburton’s last-gasp basket sealed series victory in Game 5 - before the point guard’s father became embroiled in a heated on-court exchange with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Haliburton Sr. has since been asked to stay away from the Pistons games.
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals - full schedule:
Cavaliers (1) vs Pacers (4)
- Game 1 - May 4, 6:00 p.m. ET: Pacers vs Cavaliers, TNT/TruTV
- Game 2 - May 6, 7:00 p.m. ET: Pacers vs Cavaliers, TNT/TruTV
- Game 3 - May 9, 7:30 p.m. ET: Cavaliers vs Pacers, ESPN
- Game 4 - May 11, 8:00 p.m. ET: Cavaliers vs Pacers, TNT/TruTV
- Game 5 - May 13, time TBC: Pacers vs Cavaliers, TNT/TruTV*
- Game 6 - May 15, time TBC: Cavaliers vs Pacers, ESPN*
- Game 7 - May 18, time TBC: Pacers vs Cavaliers, TV TBC*
Celtics (2) vs Knicks (3)
- Game 1 - May 5, 7:00 p.m. ET: Knicks vs Celtics, TNT/TruTV
- Game 2 - May 7, 7:00 p.m. ET: Knicks vs Celtics, TNT/TruTV
- Game 3 - May 10, time TBC: Celtics vs Knicks, ABC
- Game 4 - May 12, time TBC: Celtics vs Knicks, ESPN
- Game 5 - May 14, time TBC: Knicks vs Celtics, TNT/TruTV*
- Game 6 - May 16, time TBC: Celtics vs Knicks, ESPN*
- Game 7 - May 19, time TBC: Knicks vs Celtics, TNT/TruTV*
*If needed
NBA Playoffs 2025 - complete bracket:
Eastern Conference betting odds: who are the favorites?
The bookmakers appear to overwhelmingly expect the Celtics to be too good for the Knicks, with BetMGM offering moneyline odds of -800 on a Boston victory. New York is rated at +550. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are the -500 frontrunners against the +375 Pacers, per BetMGM.
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