Eric Gay/Associated PressThe 2016 NBA conference semifinals are winding down, but that doesn't mean they've failed to deliver on the action this postseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Atlanta Hawks in four straight games in Round 2 of the playoffs, including a 123-98 drubbing in Game 2.
But the Cavs' opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals is still undetermined, as the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors head into Game 6 on Friday with Toronto leading the series at 3-2.
In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in a high-scoring 125-121 result, as Stephen Curry scored seven points in the final 25 seconds and 29 overall.
On Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to eliminate the San Antonio Spurs and match up against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
Let's break down the upcoming schedule for the conference semifinals and review the outcomes of the most recent games. You can view the most recent bracket leading up to the Finals at NBA.com.
| 2016 NBA Conference Semifinals Schedule | |||||
| May 12 | 6 | 8:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs | Oklahoma City Thunder | ESPN |
| May 13 | 6 | 8 p.m. | Toronto Raptors | Miami Heat | ESPN |
| May 15 | 7* | TBD | Miami Heat | Toronto Raptors | TBD |
| May 15 | 7* | TBD | Oklahoma City Thunder | San Antonio Spurs | TNT |
| NBA.com (*if necessary) | |||||
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder
Eric Gay/Associated PressSeries: 3-2, Thunder
Latest Game: Game 5; Thunder 95, Spurs 91
Next Game: Game 6, Thursday
The Thunder are looking to eliminate the Spurs in their Game 6 matchup on Thursday, and there's a good chance they do just that.
As ESPN's Rachel Nichols pointed out, the Thunder have become the only team in the league to beat the Spurs at home twice this season:
Rachel Nichols @Rachel__NicholsThe Spurs lost one game at home the entire regular season. They've lost two at home to the #Thunder in the past eight days. What a series.
Prior to their series with the Thunder, the Spurs had only lost one game at home all season.
Russell Westbrook had a dominant performance in Game 5, scoring 35 points on 12-of-27 shooting with 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Kevin Durant added another 23 points, and Steven Adams scored 12 points en route to a double-double.
The Spurs had their opportunities; Oklahoma City finished with 20 turnovers. But San Antonio couldn't stymie the Thunder's scoring prowess.
No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 3 Miami Heat
Alan Diaz/Associated PressSeries: 3-2, Raptors
Latest Game: Game 5; Raptors 99, Heat 91
Next Game: Game 6, Friday
The Raptors never trailed in their 99-91 win over the Heat on Wednesday night, and DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry came up big for Toronto.
DeRozan scored 34 points, while Lowry had 25 along with 10 rebounds and six assists.
It was a huge night for the duo, who scored just 19 points between them in Toronto's Game 4 loss to Miami.
Per ESPN Stats & Info, it was the highest-scoring playoff outing for DeRozan and Lowry of their careers:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoDeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined for 59 pts, tied for the duo’s most in a playoff game (also: 2014 first round) https://t.co/SjchXtKzIy
Toronto almost suffered a serious blow in the fourth when DeRozan jammed his right thumb while fouling Miami's Tyler Johnson and had to go to the locker room for treatment.
"We didn't know if we were going to get him back," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said, per Ian Harrison of the Associated Press (via CBS Sports). "Luckily he fought through it and came back and knocked down some big free throws."
Casey added that DeRozan and Lowry have "carried us the entire season."
The Heat struggled to open the game. Per Harrison, Miami had more fouls (eight) than made baskets (six) in the first quarter. That's not a recipe for winning.
Now, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals could be difficult for Miami, which lost Luol Deng in the third quarter on Wednesday. Per Harrison, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Deng will have an MRI when the team returns to Miami.
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