The first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs is underway, as the top eight sides in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference begin their quest to reach the 2022 NBA Finals.
In what is arguably the pick of the first-round ties, the No.2 seeded Boston Celtics take on the No.7 seeded Brooklyn Nets, who navigated their way to the playoffs courtesy of the NBA Play-In.
Here is everything you need to know about the first-round clash, including our predictions for who will be advancing to the second round.
Latest - Series Sweep = COMPLETE!
Who'd have thought it? The Boston Celtics have completed a series sweep of the Brooklyn Nets.
It comes courtesy of a 116-112 win in game four, in which Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart combined for 42 points.
The victory means that the Celtics now get an extended period of rest ahead of their second-round clash with either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks lead that series 3-1 currently.
Series Schedule
The series will begin this Sunday (April 17) when the Boston Celtics welcome the Nets to TD Gardens.
The earliest the series can end is on Monday, April 25, that is if either team manages to complete a 4-0 sweep. Although given how evenly matched the two are, that seems unlikely.
The full series schedule and results so far are as follows:
- Game 1 (Boston) - 115-114 (Celtics lead 1-0)
- Game 2 (Boston) - 114-107 (Celtics lead 2-0)
- Game 3 (Brooklyn) - 103-109 (Celtics lead 3-0)
- Game 4 (Brooklyn) - 112-116 (Celtics WIN 4-0)
- Game 5 (Boston) - Wednesday, April 27
- Game 6 (Brooklyn) - Friday, April 29
- Game 7 (Boston) - Sunday, May 1
How to Watch Celtics vs Nets (UK/US)
US
The US coverage of the first-round series will be split across a number of different sports platforms, which can be found below:
- Game 1 - ABC
- Game 2 - NBCSB/TNT
- Game 3 - NBCSB/ESPN
- Game 4 - NBCSB/TNT
- Game 5 - TBC
- Game 6 - TBC
- Game 7 TBC
The broadcasters for the final three games will be announced if required.
UK
Sky Sports will be the leading broadcaster for those wishing to follow the series in the UK. However, you can ensure that you don't miss a second of the action by signing up for the NBA League Pass.
Predictions
Usually, you'd fancy the No.2 seed to cruise past the No.7, but the Brooklyn Nets aren't your usual No.7 seed.
It's been a tough season off the court for the Nets, who have had to make do without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving for large parts of the season, whilst they also lost fellow All-Star James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this year.
The Boston Celtics will have to make do without Robert Williams III for the majority, if not all, of their first-round series, after the centre underwent surgery for a meniscus injury sustained during their 134-112 victory over the Timberwolves on March 27.
Expect this series to go all the way, with home court advantage giving the C's the edge.
RealSport Predicts: Boston in 7.
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