Knock on wood, but if the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Pelicans or Thunder for the No. 8 seed on Friday night, they will open a best-of-seven series against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.
The same goes for the Thunder or Pelicans. Whoever wins the No. 8 seed in that final play-in game will be gifted with a series against the No. 1 Denver Nuggets. Here’s the first round schedule:
- Game 1: Sunday, April 6 at Denver, 9:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 2: Wednesday, April 19 at Denver, 9 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: Friday, April 21 at MN/NO/OKC, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, April 23 at MN/NO/OKC, 8:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5: Tuesday, April 25 at Denver, time and TV are TBD
- Game 6: Thursday, April 27 at MN/NO/OKC, time and TV are TBD
- Game 7: Saturday, April 29 at Denver, time TBD, TV is TNT
New Orleans hosts Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. The winner will play the Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Friday night, with the winner of that game securing the No. 8 seed in the West.
Minnesota lost to the Lakers in overtime Tuesday night. Los Angeles secured the No. 7 seed with the victory and is set to face No. 2 Memphis in the opening round of playoff action.
