Cavs-Magic Game 1 to tipoff at 1 p.m.
Cleveland vs. Orlando is the first game on playoff weekend.
Game 1 between Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic will kick off the first full day of the NBA playoffs.
After the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday (and locked in a matchup against the Denver Nuggets), the NBA announced the full schedule of games for Saturday. Cavs-Magic tips off at 1 p.m. and airs on ESPN.
#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel - schedule update
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 17, 2024
The @Lakers 110-106 victory over the Pelicans earns them the #7 seed in the West.
On Friday, the Pelicans will face the winner of tonight's Warriors-Kings game for a chance at the West #8 seed.
Saturday, April 20,… pic.twitter.com/xRiMmDjxZx
After Cavs-Magic, the league flips to the Western Conference for the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Phoenix Suns before the New York Knicks host a TBD opponent at 6 p.m. Then, the Nuggets host the Lakers at 8:30 p.m.
Cleveland and Orlando kicking off the slate makes sense. Neither are big markets and neither are viewed as title contenders with marquee stars. Even though there’s a lot on the line for both teams — especially Cleveland after last year’s first-round exit — this makes sense as the opening game. It’s also a win for Cavs fans who might want to spend the rest of the day watching other games after the end of Game 1.