After a slew of Sunday games left NBA fans yearning for more, Monday’s trio of playoff matchups is enough to keep you held over for a tough start to the work week.
NBA playoff schedule 2017: Raptors hope to shake the Bucks and Warriors go for sweep
Three Monday games could shake up the playoff picture.
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Kicking off the week are the No. 3 Toronto Raptors and No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks, who find themselves in precarious positions after splitting the first four games at one apiece on each other’s home floors. The Bucks have given the Raptors more than they bargained for, and they have the best player in the series in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Raptors are a battle-tested squad in win-now mode. Game 5 is in Toronto, and the Raps will look to hold down the fort in the north.
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Monday’s second game is a four-five showdown between the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks. Markieff Morris called Paul Millsap a “cry baby.” Millsap responded “take this loss and go back to your hotel.” Now, the stars are aligned for a Game 4 battle in Atlanta with all the chips on the table. The Wizards can take a commanding 3-1 series lead with a win. The Hawks can even it up at two-up if they come out on top.
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Finally, Monday’s nightcap is a No. 1 vs. No. 8 showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers gave the Warriors their best shot. It wasn’t enough. Now, Portland finds itself in a 3-0 deficit with just one chance at avoiding a sweep on its home floor. The Warriors will be without Steve Kerr, who is out recovering from an illness. They may also be without Kevin Durant, whose left calf strain kept him out of Games 2 and 3. That didn’t stop the Warriors from rattling off a win in Game 3, and the Trail Blazers will need to bring it if they want to extend their season.
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NBA Monday should be enough to satiate your basketball appetite. Here’s the schedule:
No. 3 Toronto Bucks vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks
TIME: 7 p.m. ET
CHANNEL: NBATV, FSWI
WHERE: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
SERIES: 2-2
LIVESTREAM: N/A
No. 4 Washington Wizards vs. No. 5 Atlanta Hawks
TIME: 8 p.m. ET
CHANNEL: TNT, FSSE, CSNW
WHERE: Philips Arena
SERIES: 2-1
LIVESTREAM: TNT Drama
No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers
TIME: 10:30 p.m. ET
CHANNEL: TNT, KGW, NSBA
WHERE: Moda Center, Portland
SERIES: 3-0
LIVESTREAM: TNT Drama
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