When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again We’re getting closer to knowing which two teams will battle it out for the NBA title this season, but first is the Conference Finals. Both Conference Finals went to a Game 7 last year and both series will be just as tough to call this time around. The Warriors are there once again and are strong favourites to go on and win a third consecutive title, but they will likely be without Kevin Durant. The Bucks are the favourites in the East, but could be given a tough match-up.<doc-sep>Sam Forencich/Getty Images And then there were four. Of the 30 teams in the NBA's 2018-19 race for the crown, 26 have been sent to their summer vacations. In the East, only the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors are still standing. In the West, it's the defending champion Golden State Warriors against the resilient Portland Trail Blazers. If this round is anything like the last, hoop heads are in for a treat. Let's look ahead at the scheduling and broadcast information for the conference finals, before examining the latest buzz. 2019 Conference Finals Schedule Eastern Conference Game 1: Wednesday, May 15, Raptors at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT Game 2: Friday, May 17, Raptors at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT Video Play Button Videos you might like Game 3: Sunday, May 19, Bucks at Raptors, 7 p.m. ET on TNT Game 4: Tuesday, May 21, Bucks at Raptors, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 5: Thursday, May 23, Raptors at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 6: Saturday, May 25, Bucks at Raptors, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT *Game 7: Monday, May 27, Raptors at Bucks, 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT *if necessary Western Conference Game 1: Tuesday, May 14, Blazers at Warriors, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 2: Thursday, May 16, Blazers at Warriors, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 3: Saturday, May 18, Warriors at Blazers, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN Game 4: Monday, May 20, Warriors at Blazers, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN *Game 5: Wednesday, May 22, Blazers at Warriors, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN *Game 6: Friday, May 24, Warriors at Blazers, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN *Game 7: Sunday, May 26, Blazers at Warriors, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN *if necessary Latest Buzz Kevin Durant Still Has 'Time Ahead' In Recovery Ben Margot/Associated Press Durant's brilliant postseason was disrupted—though maybe not completely derailed as initially feared—by a calf strain suffered in Game 5 of the conference semis. As a source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, he is out at least for Game 1 of the conference finals and unlikely to go in Game 2: While Durant's injury could have been worse, he's not exactly out of the woods, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr reminded reporters. "He hasn't even stepped on the floor yet," Kerr said on Monday. "... He still has pain. So there's time ahead of him on the rehab process." The Dubs survived their first test without the two-time Finals MVP, eliminating the Houston Rockets in a critical Game 6 behind 60 combined points from siblings in splash Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. But one look at the postseason-long stat sheet highlights Durant's incredible importance. Despite missing one game and ranking just fourth in total minutes, the 30-year-old is the team's scoring leader by a healthy margin (376 points, Curry is next with 291). He has also put together a brilliant 51.3/41.6/90.1 shooting slash, while the Warriors have fared 11.8 points better per 100 possessions with him than without. Golden State probably has enough to get by without him, but its margin for error shrinks the longer he's out. Damian Lillard: Blazers 'Know We Are Capable of Beating Them' Bart Young/Getty Images Portland's All-Star point guard may have provided a bit of bulletin-board material while trying to take down another. At his first media session, Lillard dismissed a report that he'd told a Pepsi Center ball boy the Dubs were "due" for an upset. But in correcting that claim—"I didn't say that," he remarked, "I wasn't even talking about the Warriors"—he had to go on record about his club's chances. Let's just say, the Blazers aren't backing down from this challenge. "I'm really confident," Lillard told reporters. "... We split the season series with them. We've won on their floor and on our floor. So, I think that shows we know we are capable of winning. We know we are capable of beating them. We just have to go out there and do it. Put it on the floor." Everything the 28-year-old said is technically correct. The two clubs did split their four contests, and each picked up a victory inside the other's home arena. But the playoffs are a different kind of animal. The Blazers are fighting an uphill battle, and they're doing so without Jusuf Nurkic and maybe Rodney Hood, the team's fourth-leading scorer this postseason. The Warriors might be itching to show Lillard the difference between being capable of winning a series and actually putting victories on the board.<doc-sep>Want to know what time the 2019 NBA Western Conference Finals start and what channel to find it? Here’s a schedule of the 7-game series (if necessary) between the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trailblazers. The series starts on Tuesday, May 14 at 9:00 PM Eastern (6:00 PM Pacific). On TV, you can find the entire Western Conference Finals on ESPN (Be sure to watch ESPN in HD. See this guide.) Or, you can stream the games on ESPN.com or the ESPN app for tablets and smartphones. NBA 2019 Western Conference Finals Schedule Tue, May 14 Golden State vs Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN Thu, May 16 Golden State vs Portland ESPN 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) Sat, May 18 Golden State @ Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN Mon, May 20 Golden State @ Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN Wed, May 22* Golden State vs Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN Fri, May 24* Golden State @ Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN Sun, May 26* Golden State vs Portland 9:00 PM (ET) 6:00 PM (PT) ESPN * if necessary Also See: NBA 2019 Eastern Conference Finals Schedule<doc-sep>
Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press The Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors earned valuable days off after clinching their respective conference semifinal series in five and six games. The top-seeded Bucks await the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Golden State's Western Conference Finals opponent will be the victor of Game 7 between Denver and Portland, which is the first of two series-deciding games Sunday. The Warriors have three days off before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Tuesday, while the Bucks start the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday after six days off. Dates and TV Info for NBA Conference Finals Video Play Button Videos you might like Golden State Trying to Get Healthy The Warriors finished off their series with the Houston Rockets without Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins on the floor. Of course, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala are solid players in their own right, and they proved that in Friday's Game 6 victory. Between now and the first tip of the Western Conference Finals, the focus will be on Golden State's injured duo. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported Cousins is on course to return to the active roster if he maintains the progress he has made working back from a torn quad. According to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski, Durant suffered a mild right calf strain and will be re-evaluated next week. The good news for the Warriors is they will not have to rush Cousins or Durant back on to the floor if they keep playing like they did in Game 6. Easing both stars back into the lineup is the ideal strategy, and if they prove they are able to perform on the court, they could be key contributors in the NBA Finals. Brogdon Working Back to 100 Percent Milwaukee is dealing with its own injury woes with the Eastern Conference Finals on the horizon. Malcolm Brogdon has been working his way back to 100 percent, but he is not guaranteed of a starting spot when Wednesday rolls around. Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters that Brogdon needs more game action to recover from a minor plantar fascia tear, per ESPN.com's Malika Andrews. "He needs more game minutes, more game action," Budenholzer said. "We plan to continue to increase Malcolm's workload and minutes. To say exactly how it's going to play out—the next step will be him playing a little bit more in Game 1." Brogdon does not have to be rushed into the starting five for Game 1 because the Bucks have received plenty of impressive performances from other role players. Nikola Mirotic, who has started in place of Brogdon, George Hill, Ersan Ilyasova and Pat Connaughton all reached double digits in the series-clinching Game 5 win over Boston. If the supporting cast behind Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to thrive, the Bucks will be in great shape to advance to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately not all the injury news is positive in Milwaukee, as Pau Gasol underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his foot Thursday, per the team's official website. Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from NBA.com.