NBA sets Friday doubleheader: Cavs–Pistons and Spurs–Timberwolves Game 6s

The NBA’s playoff schedule for Friday, May 15, features two Game 6s in the conference semifinals, with the Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the San Antonio Spurs. The league’s official bracket showed Cleveland leading Detroit 3-2 in the East and San Antonio leading Minnesota 3-2 in the West entering Friday night. NBA.com’s schedule page listed the Cavaliers-Pistons game for 4:00 p.m. Pacific and the Timberwolves-Spurs game for 6:30 p.m. Pacific, both on Prime Video. ### Which teams are playing Friday, and what is at stake? The Cavaliers and Pistons are playing Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal in Cleveland, with the Cavaliers one win from advancing. The NBA’s bracket page showed Cleveland up 3-2 after taking Game 5 and set a Game 7 for Sunday only if Detroit extends the series. The Timberwolves and Spurs are playing Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal in Minneapolis, with San Antonio also holding a 3-2 lead. (nba.com) The same bracket page listed a Sunday Game 7, if necessary, for that series as well. ### How did Cleveland get to the brink against Detroit? May 13 pushed the series back toward Cleveland after the Cavaliers won Game 5 in Detroit. (nba.com) NBA.com’s playoff coverage said Cleveland closed regulation on a 9-0 run, forced overtime and then outscored the Pistons 14-10 in the extra period for a 117-113 win. NBA.com’s series page described Friday’s matchup as Donovan Mitchell’s chance to clinch a first conference finals appearance with Cleveland, while Detroit entered Game 6 looking for more support around Cade Cunningham. (nba.com) That framing came from the league’s playoff news coverage published ahead of Friday’s game. ### What happened in the Spurs-Timberwolves series before Game 6? (nba.com) May 12 gave San Antonio control of the series when the Spurs beat Minnesota 126-97 in Game 5. NBA.com’s West semifinal page highlighted Victor Wembanyama’s performance in that win and carried postgame reaction from Wembanyama and acting coach Mitch Johnson. NBA.com’s playoff news page said Minnesota’s Game 6 focus was a better start and creating cleaner looks for Anthony Edwards after the lopsided Game 5 loss. (nba.com) That assessment appeared in the league’s preview coverage for Friday’s game. ### When do the games start, and where are they listed? NBA.com listed Cavaliers-Pistons at 4:00 p.m. Pacific, which is 7:00 p.m. (nba.com) Eastern, and Timberwolves-Spurs at 6:30 p.m. Pacific, which is 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The official schedule page and playoff bracket both showed Prime Video as the broadcaster for Friday’s doubleheader. USA Today’s playoff schedule roundup also listed the same two conference semifinal games for Friday night and identified Cleveland and San Antonio as the teams carrying 3-2 leads into Game 6. (nba.com) ### What comes next after Friday night? Sunday, May 17, is the next scheduled date on the NBA’s playoff calendar for both series if either trailing team wins Friday. (nba.com) NBA.com’s schedule page listed potential Game 7s for Cavaliers-Pistons and Timberwolves-Spurs on that date, while the bracket showed the New York Knicks already waiting in the Eastern Conference finals. (usatoday.com) June 3 is the date the NBA bracket lists for the start of the Finals, but the immediate next steps are Friday’s two Game 6s and, if needed, Sunday deciders involving Cleveland, Detroit, Minnesota and San Antonio. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)