The Celtics second round schedule is finally set after the Cavaliers defeated the Magic in a Game 7 on Sunday afternoon to earn a 4-3 series win. Cleveland will now hit the road for a quick turnaround against Boston with Game 1 of the team’s second round series beginning on Tuesday night at TD Garden with a 7 p.m. tip time.
Boston will be well rested for the matchup after wrapped up their first round series against the Heat in five games last Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Cavs will be coming off just one day of rest after a grueling seven-game series against Orlando, the only NBA matchup that went the distance in the first round.
The biggest question about the series will be on the injury front as the status of the starting centers loom large for both teams. The Celtics are expected to be without Kristaps Porzingis due to a sprained calf for potentially the entirety of the series as he continues his recovery. Cavs starting center Jarrett Allen missed the final three games of the Cavs first round series against the Magic with a rib injury and his status moving forward remains uncertain.
Boston will enter the series as heavy favorites regardless of the status of Porzingis after a dominant regular season that earned them homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. The Cavs did play Boston tough in the regular season though with the Celtics holding a 2-1 edge in head-to-head matchups and all three games decided by single digits.
Here is the full second round schedule just released by the NBA
Game 1: Cavaliers at Celtics on Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Cavaliers at Celtics on Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Celtics at Cavaliers on Saturday, May 11, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Celtics at Cavaliers on Monday, May 13, 7 p.m.
Game 5: Cavaliers at Celtics on Wednesday, May 15, TBD (if necessary)
Game 6: Celtics at Cavaliers on Friday, May 17, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7: Cavaliers at Celtics on Sunday, May, 19, TBD (if necessary)
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