The Detroit Pistons have a long way to go to reach the next round, needing to win Game 6 Thursday against the New York Knicks and then prevail in Game 7 Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
If they accomplish that, they would become only the 14th team in NBA history to come back and win a series after trailing 3-1. The Pistons have done this only once in franchise history, in 2003 against the Orlando Magic in the first round.
The No. 2 seed Boston Celtics await the winner of Detroit-New York. Regardless of who wins this series, at least they know when they’ll be playing the games. The NBA on Wednesday released the dates for both Eastern Conference semifinal series:
Boston vs. New York/Detroit
Game 1: Monday, May 5 at Boston
Game 2: Wednesday, May 7 at Boston
Game 3: Saturday, May 10 at New York or Detroit
Game 4: Monday, May 12 at New York or Detroit
x-Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 at Boston
x-Game 6: Friday, May 16 at New York or Detroit
x-Game 7: Monday, May 19 at Boston
Cleveland vs. Indiana
Game 1: Sunday, May 4 at Cleveland
Game 2: Tuesday, May 6 at Cleveland
Game 3: Friday, May 9 at Indiana
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 at Indiana
x-Game 5: Tuesday, May 13 at Cleveland
x-Game 6: Thursday, May 15 at Indiana
x-Game 7: Sunday, May 18 at Boston
x-if necessary
(Times have not been announced)
