NBA East playoff preview capsules: Cavaliers-Heat, Celtics-Magic, Knicks-Pistons, Pacers-Bucks

NBA East playoff preview capsules: Cavaliers-Heat, Celtics-Magic, Knicks-Pistons, Pacers-Bucks

Capsules on the Eastern Conference first-round series:

Bucks' Damian Lillard feeling grateful as he gets closer to joining his teammates in playoffs

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard isn’t sure exactly when he will be playing again. He’s just grateful that moment will come sooner than anyone could have reasonably expected. Lillard was cleared for full-scale basketball activities and taken off blood-thinning medication…

Celtics in 5: Boston should take care of business against Orlando in Round 1

It’s official: the Boston Celtics will take on the Orlando Magic in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.

Orlando Magic Set to Take on Boston in NBA Playoffs - ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF

Round one of the NBA postseason begins tomorrow, and the Orlando Magic are set to matchup with the Boston Celtics. Orlando’s Road to the Postseason Finishing the season with an even 41-41 record, the Magic earned the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, placing it in the play-in tournament. It got the job done, dominating the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 on Tuesday. After dealing with injuries all season long, the Magic enter the Celtics series with mo…

Cavaliers To Face Heat In First Round Of Playoffs

Finally, the Cavaliers have a playoff opponent, with one day before the games begin. That would be none other than the Miami Heat, who picked up an overtime road win over the Atlanta Hawks in a play-in elimination game on Friday. Game 1 between the Cavs and Heat is Sunday at Rocket Arena (7 p.m. EST, TNT). With the No. 1 overall seed, the Cavaliers are heavily favored, though it should be noted that the Heat advanced to the Finals via the play-i…

Three Factors Holding Celtics Back In Playoffs From Title Repeat

Everything went well for the Boston Celtics last season, even when it seemed as though their luck turned against them. Now, as championship defenders, the C’s will pursue their first repeat in 56 years. That’s ambitious, but it’s everything Boston signed itself up for over the past two years. It’s why Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens went do-or-die mode two offseasons ago, and why majority owner Wyc Grousbeck has done ever…