Have a look at what the NBA Playoffs are, the 2022 Playoffs rules, format, games and everything else to know about the tournament
The season is heading towards its final stage. The NBA Playoffs start after the NBA regular season ends and the Play-In Tournament. It is the best-of-seven elimination tournament to select the champion of the league.
Some teams get shocking exits while some players are no longer eligible to be awarded the scoring title namely LeBron James and Kevin Durant. The two favourites no longer can compete for the scoring title as they were supposed to play at least 58 games while LeBron appeared for only 56 games and Durant was sidelined following an injury.
Explained NBA 2022 Playoffs, Rules, Format, Games, Standings, Teams, Schedule, Date And Time
The playoffs use a best-of-seven elimination format and this means two teams play each other up to seven times, with the team that wins four games progressing to the next round.
In the first round, the no. 1 seed in each conference plays the no. 8 seed. no. 2 plays no. 7, no, 3 plays no. 6, and no. 4 plays no. 5 and the second round is known as the conference semi-finals, and the third round is the conference finals.
The teams that progress from each conference then meet in the NBA Finals to determine the champion and in each round, the team with the better regular-season record is rewarded with home-court advantage. A playoff series follows a 2-2-1-1-1 home/away format in the league.
NBA Playoffs Schedule, Date, Time, Teams
The first round of the playoffs will start after the Play-In Tournament on April 16 following a 2-2-1-1-1 format by the best of seven series and the higher seed has home court first.
The Conference semifinals are scheduled for May 2-3 or can be moved up to April 30 or May 1 while the Conference finals are scheduled for May 17-18 or can be moved up to May 15-16.
NBA Finals Schedule:
Game 1: June 2
Game 2: June 5
Game 3: June 8
Game 4: June 10
Game 5 (if necessary): June 13
Game 6 (if necessary): June 16
Game 7 (if necessary): June 19
NBA Playoffs Teams In Eastern Conference
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors
Chicago Bulls
NBA Playoffs Teams In Western Conference
Phoenix Suns
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Dallas Mavericks
Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets
Teams That Are Eliminated
Eastern Conference: New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic.
Western Conference: LA Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, OKC Thunder, Houston Rockets.
Favourites To Win The Scoring Title
With LeBron and Durant no anymore eligible, the closest answers are Joel Embiid, who is currently averaging 30.4 per game and the other is Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo with 29.9 while he has two games left to play but is unlikely to happen so the higher chances are with Embiid.
When And Where To Watch NBA Playoffs: Live Stream And Telecast
The first three rounds will be live broadcasted by NBALeague.com, ESPN2, NBATV, ESPN News and ESPNU.
Also Read: Explained NBA 2022 Play-In Tournament Rules, Format, Games, Standings, Teams, Schedule, Date, Time