NBA Playoffs 2014 Dates: Schedule, Matchups And Viewing Info For Conference Semifinals

Now that an exciting opening round in the 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs is in the books, eight teams remain in contention for a championship heading into the conference semifinals. Creating one of the most entertaining opening slates in recent memory, the NBA provided fans with non-stop action as five of the opening eight series went the maximum seven games. Eastern Conference No.1 Indiana battled back from a 3-2 hole to take down No. 8 Atlanta while the Brooklyn Nets (No. 6 in the East) upended No. 3 Toronto in a thrilling seven-game set.

In the Western Conference, three of the four first round contests went seven games, with San Antonio slipping by Dallas, Oklahoma City getting by Memphis and the Los Angeles Clippers moving through the Golden State Warriors. The remaining three series across the league held loads of intrigue as well with the Portland Trail Blazers defeating Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets in six games, the Washington Wizards taking down the Chicago Bulls in five and the two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat knocking off the Charlotte Bobcats in just four games.

Hoping to take one step closer to the Eastern Conference Finals, No. 1 Indiana -- who fell to Miami in last season's conference final -- will battle an extremely talented Washington team, a squad that took down the Chicago Bulls in five games to move into the next stage. While the Pacers and Wizards square off for what should be an entertaining series, the Miami Heat will face a Brooklyn Nets team who beat up on the defending champs four times during the regular season. Though many have projected Miami and Indiana as the favorites to land in the conference final, both the Wizards and Nets possess the talent it takes to move into the next round as well.

In the West, defending Western Conference champion San Antonio is preparing to open their conference semifinal schedule against the Portland Trail Blazers while the No. 2 seeded Thunder take on the Los Angeles Clippers. Set to begin on Monday, May 5, here's a look at the complete schedule for the 2013-2014 Conference Semifinals along with start dates for the next round and beyond.