NBA Playoffs 2020: bracket and schedule for Lakers, Nuggets, Celtics and Heat games - and how to watch in the UK

The NBA Bubble has been one of the success stories of the post-lockdown restart of world sports, striking a balance between social distancing and fan inclusion.

The drama on the court hasn’t been half bad either.

The season is now approaching its end, with the lineups of both conference finals now decided. Here's everything you need to know about following the conclusion of the playoff drama from the UK.

What’s happened so far?

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray’s Denver Nuggets shocked the NBA world when they came from 3-1 down to defeat Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s LA Clippers.

The Colorado side defied long odds in game five and six when they clawed back double digit deficits before outclassing the Clippers in Game 7, courtesy of a triple-double from the Serbian and 40 points by an up-and-coming Murray.

The Joker and Jamal will meet Lebron James and Anthony Davis’ LA Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, after they brushed aside a James Harden-led Houston Rockets. The Lakers are current favourites to become NBA Champions, while James is aiming to become the first player to win a championship ring with three different teams.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics are facing the Miami Heat. The Heat clinched Game 1 of the series, despite a quick start from their New England rivals, with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic leading the scoring for the South Beach side.

2020 Playoff bracket

First round Eastern Conference

Milwaukee 4 – 1 Orlando

Indiana 0-4 Miami

Boston 4-0 Philadelphia

Toronto 4-0 Brooklyn

First round Western Conference

Lakers 4-1 Portland

Houston 4-3 Oklahoma City

Denver 4-3 Utah

Clippers 4-2 Dallas

Conference semi-finals

Milwaukee 1-4 Miami

Boston 4-3 Toronto

Lakers 4-1 Houston

Clippers 3-4 Denver

Conference finals

Eastern Conference

Boston vs Miami

Western Conference

Lakers vs Denver

NBA Finals

Eastern Conference Champions vs Western Conference Champions

Playoff scheduleWestern Conference Finals

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 1 – 19 September, 2amDenver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 2 – 21 September, 12.30am

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 3 – 23 September, 2am

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 4 – 25 September, 2am

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 5 (if necessary) – 27 September, 2am

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 6 (if necessary) – 28 September, TBD

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers, Game 7 (if necessary) – 30 September TBD

Eastern Conference Finals

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 2 – 18 September, 12am

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 3 – 20 September, 1.30am

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 4 – 21 September, TBD

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 5 (if necessary) – 23 September, TBD

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 6 (if necessary) – 25 September, TBD

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics, Game 7 (if necessary) – 27 September, TBD

NBA Finals

Western Conference vs Eastern Conference – 30 September to 13 October (if necessary)

How can I watch in the UK?Sky Sports are showing coverage of the finals across their channels, all of which are possible to view online. If you’re reluctant to sign up to a Sky Sports package then you can fork out £33.99 for a one-off month pass with Now TV.

Alternatively, basketball fans can pay £42.99 for a League Pass with NBA which will show all remaining games.