The NBA playoffs saw many unforgettable moments in 2023. Denver became the 2023 Finals winner. Sacramento’s historic postseason drought came to an end. And hey, Aaron Gordon caught a baseball pass alley-oop from 70 feet away by Nikola Jokic, but neither team’s broadcast aired it since they didn’t have much time to process it.
Now, all eyes will be on the playoffs as 2024 approaches and the regular season approaches its halfway point.
Luckily, there is enough data from the first two months of the competition to forecast the NBA playoffs confidently. But remember that nothing is set in stone because there is still a good bit of parity. Here’s more.
1. NBA Finals Games 2024
The NBA finals games 2024 will be the capstone of an incredible basketball season. The best teams in each conference will face off on the field, providing fans with thrilling matchups, buzzer-beaters, and memorable moments in the history of the NBA.
So mark these key dates in your calendar. On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the NBA regular season ends. The remaining two playoff berths in each conference (Western and Eastern) will be decided in this single-elimination competition between April 16 and 19. And then, the playoffs begin on Saturday, April 20, 2024, with the first round.
2. 2024 NBA Play Offs Format
Teams compete in the best-of-seven series to move on to the next round of the NBA playoffs, divided into multiple rounds. The framework of the playoffs is as follows:
- In the first round of the postseason, the top seed plays the eighth seed. Then, the second seed plays the seventh seed, and so on. The top eight teams in each conference move on.
- Conference Semifinals: The victors of the first-round games go on to play each other in a second best-of-seven series in the conference semifinals.
- Conference Finals: The NBA Finals are the next round of competition for the teams that made it out of the conference semifinals.
- NBA Finals: In the NBA Finals, the winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences compete to be proclaimed NBA champions.
3. NBA Finals History 2024
Put the highly anticipated NBA Finals in 2024 on your calendars. Based on past patterns, the following is a provisional schedule:
- Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, is game one.
- Second game: June 9, 2024, Sunday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Game three is Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Game 4: June 14, 2024, Friday, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Monday, June 17, 2024 (8:30 PM Eastern Time) is the day of Game 5 (if needed).
- Thursday, June 20, 2024 (8:30 PM Eastern Time) is the day of Game 6 (if needed).
- Sunday, June 23, 2024 (8:00 PM Eastern Time) is the day of Game 7 (if needed).
4. Important Pairs and Narratives
There are a few crucial games and narratives to keep an eye on during the NBA playoffs:
- Rivalries: The playoffs can rekindle old rivalries between teams, ratcheting up the intensity of the games.
- Superstar Showdowns: During the playoffs, fans can watch some of the NBA’s best talents square off against one another. These intense matchups between elite players make for incredible television.
- Underdog Stories: Every year, underdog teams surprise everyone by going deep into the playoffs and winning over hearts everywhere with their tenacity and willpower.
- Building Legacies: With a championship win, the playoffs provide seasoned players and championship contenders a chance to solidify their legacies and leave their marks on the history of the NBA.
5. Where to Watch NBA Play Offs
Traditionally, ABC has carried the NBA Finals nationwide. You can also inquire with your neighborhood streaming services, cable or satellite provider, or both for precise broadcast information.
Beyond the Schedule: Extra Details
- Playoff Seeding: The teams in each conference with the most outstanding regular-season records receive the higher seeds and, thus, home-court advantage during the postseason.
- Broadcast Times: Although the times listed above are in the Eastern Time Zone, the times of the games may change based on where the opposing teams are located.
- Playoff Picture: As the regular season goes on, watch the official NBA website and sports news networks for updates on the playoff matchups and club standings.
6. How Do Teams Earn a Spot in the Postseason
The teams that will do well during the regular season are the ones that advance to the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs are for the top eight clubs in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Teams ranked seventh through tenth have the opportunity to compete for the last playoff berths in a play-in tournament, which prolongs the excitement of the playoff race until the end of the season.
7. Total Number of NBA Playoff Games Played
The First Round, Conference Semifinals, Finals, and NBA Finals are all best-of-seven series in the playoffs. To advance, a team must win four games in each series. Every victory matters because the format tests teams’ stamina and tactics.
8. NBA Play-In Competition
The NBA Play-In Tournament gives the postseason a thrilling new dimension. It decides the final playoff berths. With this tournament, more clubs can qualify for the playoffs. The spectators enjoy the extra drama it brings just before the major playoff matchups begin.
9. Gear Up for NBA Playoffs 2024
As the NBA playoffs draw near, you can anticipate tight competition: Watch the top basketball teams play each other out for the big prize. Secondly, drama with high stakes: As teams struggle to survive, every possession, every rebound, and every shot counts.
Don’t forget possible surprise upsets: Throughout history, underdogs have occasionally triumphed, which adds an exhilarating element of uncertainty.
In the End
The NBA Playoffs are a thrilling occasion where basketball fans experience the best players and strategies in basketball. Consequently, the NBA playoffs provide fans all over the world with an exhilarating experience, from the thrilling NBA Finals games to the suspenseful first-round contests.
So make sure you put some dates on your calendars, decide which team to support, and get ready to watch some of the most thrilling basketball matches of the year!