NBA play-offs 2021: Who is playing today and how can I watch?
NBA conference semi-finals include Bucks vs Nets and Utah vs LA Clippers as Lakers crash out in first round.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The NBA play-offs have already delivered some thrills and spills with the reigning champions Los Angeles Lakers bowing out after being shocked by the Phoenix Suns.
After the play-offs were moved to a bubble in Orlando, Florida last season, home-court advantage returns this year with teams back in their own stadiums and fans permitted in a limited capacity: It proved to be a strange dynamic in the Clippers vs Mavericks series, with the LA-based team emerging victorious 4-3, despite only winning one game at home in the decider on Sunday.
All eyes will be on the Brooklyn Nets to see whether the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving can lead the team to its first NBA title, but an injury to Harden has thrown the play-offs wide open.
The Nets missed out on securing the number one seed in the East, however, with the Philadelphia 76ers taking top spot. In the West, meanwhile, The Utah Jazz clinched the top seed on their way to earning the NBA’s best regular season record (52-20).
Here’s everything you need to know as we enter the second round.
When do they start?
The first round of the play-offs began on Saturday 21 May and the conference semis began at the start of June.
You can view the current NBA tournament bracket here on the official NBA site.
How can I watch?
All matches can be streamed live via the NBA’s League Pass, which is available from £24.99 per month.
Alternatively, selected matches will be aired across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Mix, as well as Sky Sports’ YouTube channel. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content.
Who is in?
Eastern Conference
1st seed: Philadelphia 76ers
2nd seed: Brooklyn Nets
3rd seed: Milwaukee Bucks
4th seed: New York Knicks
5th seed: Atlanta Hawks
6th seed: Miami Heat
7th seed: Boston Celtics
8th seed: Washington Wizards
Western Conference
1st seed: Utah Jazz
2nd seed: Phoenix Suns
3rd seed: Denver Nuggets
4th seed: LA Clippers
5th seed: Dallas Mavericks
6th seed: Portland Trail Blazers
7th seed: LA Lakers
8th seed: Memphis Grizzlies
Who are the favourites?
Brooklyn Nets - 13/8
Utah Jazz - 10/3
LA Clippers - 9/2
Milwaukee Bucks - 13/2
Phoenix Suns - 10/1
Philadelphia 76ers - 14/1
Denver Nuggets - 20/1
Atlanta Hawks - 20/1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments