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.<doc-sep>The Milwaukee Bucks won’t know their Eastern Conference Finals opponent until Thursday night at the earliest, but they do know when they’ll be playing. If the Raptors win Game 6 and eliminate the 76ers, the series will begin Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Central Time, the NBA announced Thursday. If the 76ers win and force a Game 7 on Sunday, March 12, the series will begin Wednesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m., regardless of which team advances. The No. 1-seeded Bucks would host both games. Milwaukee wrapped up a five-game series win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night after sweeping the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. Check out the league’s full conference finals schedule here.<doc-sep>The latest Milwaukee Bucks Daily is here as we learn the dates and times for this year’s Eastern Conference Finals, even though the Bucks’ opponent is yet to be decided. In today’s edition of Milwaukee Bucks Daily, the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals is set, we reflect on the message the Bucks sent to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and much more. Although the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors are set to duke it out for a Game 7 in their series Sunday afternoon, we know that next Wednesday night will be Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bucks and the winner of that series. To get the latest coverage, analysis and various developments that relate to the Bucks, the Wisconsin Herd and Bucks Gaming, keep on coming around here to Behind the Buck Pass as we’ll provide you with exactly that each and every day. If you find an article or piece of news that you think should be included in the next edition of the daily, contact us on Twitter at @BehindTheBucks or by email at behindthebuckpass@fansided.com. Back to the present, let’s look at today’s Bucks stories. Best of Behind the Buck Pass From 5/9/19 Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 116-91 Game 5 win over Boston Celtics : Robby Cowles highlighted three things that stood out in the Bucks’ Game 5 win over the Boston Celtics from Wednesday night. Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades from 116-91 Game 5 win over Boston Celtics : I handed out grades for the Bucks’ individual performances, head coach Mike Budenholzer and what the Celtics had to offer in the Bucks’ series closing victory. Best of Bucks Around the Internet From 5/9/19 The Bucks’ opponent in the conference finals is still to be determined, but the scheduling options are set : The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez reported on the series schedule for this year’s Eastern Conference Finals Thursday afternoon. In This Season’s Playoffs, It’s the Bucks Making a Splash : Michael Powell of the New York Times touched on the problem the Bucks pose to those still in the hunt for this year’s NBA title and their dismantling of the Boston Celtics in Game 5 Wednesday night. Three reasons why the Bucks made quick work of the Celtics to advance to Eastern Conference Finals ($) : Eric Nehm outlined the three biggest reasons behind the Bucks’ gentleman sweep of the Celtics for The Athletic. “It’s Not About Them. It’s About Us” : Adam Paris over at Brew Hoop wrote about what stood out in the Bucks’ handling of the Celtics in the Conference Semifinals and why it all goes back to a comment Bucks swingman Khris Middleton made following their Game 4 win earlier in the week. That’s it for today’s roundup, but we’ll be back to do it all again tomorrow.<doc-sep>
The Milwaukee Bucks proved through the first two rounds of the 2019 NBA Playoffs that they were more than deserving of the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. After sweeping the No. 8 seed Detroit Pistons, the Bucks dropped Game 1 against the Boston Celtics and proceeded to reel off four-straight wins. In turn, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee are heading to their first Eastern Conference Finals since the 2000-01 season. That year marked the last time they won 50-plus games as well, and the Bucks advance to the next round after posting a 60-22 regular-season record. Next up for The Greek Freak and company is the winner of the Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers, who are the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the East. We’re going to take a look at the Eastern Conference Finals schedule for the Bucks while also offering a prediction on the next round, regardless of who they face. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Schedule The schedule has been fully updated now, courtesy of Sports Media Watch, and will be modified if any changes or tweaks are made. Wednesday, May 15 Raptors vs. Bucks Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Friday, May 17 Raptors vs. Bucks Game 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Sunday, May 19 Bucks vs. Raptors Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Tuesday, May 21 Bucks vs. Raptors Game 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Thursday, May 23 Raptors vs. Bucks Game 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Saturday, May 25 Bucks vs. Raptors Game 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Monday, May 27 Raptors vs. Bucks Game 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) Follow the Heavy NBA Facebook page for all the latest stories, rumors and viral content! Once both semifinals matchups are wrapped up, the winner from both sides will meet in the NBA Finals, which will begin Thursday, May 30 on ABC. Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference Finals Prediction The million dollar question becomes whether either the Raptors or Sixers can knock off the top seed in the East, who’ll hold a homecourt advantage in the series. The Bucks posted the second-best home record in the NBA this season at 33-8, although the Raptors (32-9) and Sixers (31-10) weren’t far behind. Regardless, Milwaukee had the edge over both potential opponents this year, defeating Toronto three of four times during the regular season and Philadelphia on two of three occasions. With the level that the Bucks are currently playing at, and how dominant they’ve been in the postseason, betting against them at this point would be a tall task. Not only do I think this team advances out of the Eastern Conference, but this is beginning to look like Milwaukee’s year to win the title. Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks win in six games, advance to NBA Finals READ NEXT: NBA Finals Schedule 2019: Dates, Times & Championship Predictions