2023 NBA playoffs: Conference Finals preview: Full schedule & how to watch live

The 2023 NBA (National Basketball Association) Conference Finals matchups are set following the Boston Celtics' convincing Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night (14 May).

The Celtics will meet the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Denver Nuggets take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Conference Finals.

• Want to know how many points LeBron James has scored in his remarkable career? Here we go.

Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics vs Heat

The Eastern Conference Finals is a repeat of last year's matchup, when Boston and Miami met as the top two seeds in the East (the Celtics would advance to the NBA Finals thanks to a 4-3 series win). In 2023, the two teams meet again as the 2 (Celtics) and 8 (Heat) seeds.

Boston was the last team to confirm their place in the Conference Finals after being taken to seven games by Philadelphia, who held a 3-2 series lead but failed to win Game 6 on their home court, thus leading to a pivotal Game 7 on Sunday night in which Jayson Tatum poured in 51 points (an NBA Game 7 record) to propel Boston to the East Finals.

Boston's path to the Eastern Conference Finals

• First round: Boston Celtics 4-2 Atlanta Hawks
• Conference semi-finals: Boston Celtics 4-3 Philadelphia 76ers

Miami have also made history during these playoffs, becoming the first play-in team to win a playoff series, and by extension progress to the Conference Finals. After finishing the regular season with a 44-38 record, Miami had to come through the Play-In Tournament in order to progress to the playoffs. After missing the opportunity to clinch the 7th seed following a loss to Atlanta, the Heat took care of the Chicago Bulls to earn the 8th seed in the East and secure a first-round date with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Undettered, the Heat, led by Jimmy Butler, upset the 2021 champions to advance to the conference semi-finals, where they beat the New York Knicks to secure a rematch with Boston in the Conference Finals.

Miami's path to the Eastern Conference Finals

• Play-In Tournament: Lost to Atlanta, beat Chicago
• First round: Miami Heat 4-1 Milwaukee Bucks
• Conference semi-finals: Miami Heat 4-2 New York Knicks

Western Conference Finals: Nuggets vs Lakers

The Western Conference Finals matchup is a repeat of the 2020 edition, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets in five games en route to winning the NBA championship. Four years ago the Lakers were the No.1 seed in the West, but had to come through the Play-In Tournament this season in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Despite that additional hurdle, the Lakers have secured impressive series wins against the 2-seed Memphis Grizzlies and 6-seed Golden State Warriors to advance to their first Conference Finals since 2020, when the franchise earned a 17th NBA championship.

Los Angeles' path to the Western Conference Finals

• Play-In Tournament: Beat Minnesota
• First round: Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Memphis Grizzlies
• Conference semi-finals: Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Golden State Warriors

Denver entered the postseason with the No.1 record in the Western Conference at 53-29, and proceeded to sweep Minnesota aside in the first round before taking care of the Phoenix Suns in the Conference semi-finals. Led by two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic - who averaged a triple-double (34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, 10.3 assists) against the Suns - Denver will now look to avenge their 2020 loss to the Lakers and advance to their first NBA Finals in franchise history.

Denver's path to the Western Conference Finals

• First round: Denver Nuggets 4-1 Minnesota Timberwolves
• Conference semi-finals: Denver Nuggets 4-2 Phoenix Suns

What is the NBA Conference Finals format in the playoffs?

Each matchup in the best-of-seven Conference Finals follows the 2–2–1–1–1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage (the higher seed of the two teams) hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while their opponent hosts Games 3, 4, and 6, with Games 5, 6 and 7 being played if needed. The first team to four wins advances to the next round.

What is the NBA Conference Finals schedule?

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics (2) vs Miami Heat (8)

• Game 1: Heat vs. Celtics | Wed., May 17 | 8:30 ET

• Game 2: Heat vs. Celtics | Fri., May 19 | 8:30 ET

• Game 3: Celtics vs. Heat | Sun., May 21 | 8:30 ET

• Game 4: Celtics vs. Heat | Tue., May 23 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 5: Heat vs. Celtics | Thu., May 25 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 6: Celtics vs. Heat | Sat., May 27 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics | Mon., May 29 | 8:30 ET

*if necessary

Western Conference

Denver Nuggets (1) vs. L.A. Lakers (7)

• Game 1: Lakers vs. Nuggets | Tue., May 16 | 8:30 ET

• Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets | Thu., May 18 | 8:30 ET

• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Lakers | Sat., May 20 | 8:30 ET

• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Lakers | Mon., May 22 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets | Wed., May 24 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers | Fri., May 26 | 8:30 ET

• *Game 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets | Sun., May 28 | 8:30 ET

* if necessary

Tip-off times are local

2023 NBA playoffs key dates

• May 1-2: NBA conference semifinals begin (possible move-up to 29-30 April)
• May 16-17: NBA conference finals begin (possible move-up to 14-15 May)
• June 1: NBA Finals 2023 Game 1
• June 4: NBA Finals 2023 Game 2
• June 7: NBA Finals 2023 Game 3
• June 9: NBA Finals 2023 Game 4
• June 12: NBA Finals 2023 Game 5 (if necessary)
• June 15: NBA Finals 2023 Game 6 (if necessary)
• June 18: NBA Finals 2023 Game 7 (if necessary)

How to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs live

Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. During the first round and conference semifinals, select games will air on each of the aforementioned networks.

International viewers can catch the action through local broadcasters, or the NBA League Pass app, available on mobile, PC, and smart TVs.