On April 28, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA playoffs were in full swing. In a just-concluded Battle of the Eastern Focus, the Bucks defeated the Bulls 116-100 to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals by a 4-1 aggregate score, and their opponent was the Celtics, who eliminated the Nets 4-0 in the first round.
With the Celtics and Bucks advancing, the NBA has officially announced the schedule for this semifinals, as follows:
On May 2, Beijing time, at 1:00 a.m. Celtic home
Beijing time on May 4, the time is to be determined Celtic home
Beijing time on May 8, the time to be determined Bucks home
Beijing time on May 10, the time to be determined Bucks home
May 12, Beijing time, time to be determined Celtic home (if necessary)
May 14, Beijing time, time to be determined Bucks home (if necessary)
May 15, Beijing time, time to be determined Celtic home (if necessary)
It is worth mentioning that the two teams have played each other in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs respectively. In the 2018 playoffs, the Celtics eliminated the Bucks 4-3 in the first round, and they eventually reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Cavaliers. In the 2019 playoffs, the Bucks eliminated the Celtics 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and they eventually reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Raptors and missed the Finals!
One disadvantage the Bucks had in this set of showdowns was Middleton's injury. In Bucks and Bulls G2, Middleton suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Earlier today, according to a prominent ESPN reporter, Middleton's recovery time from a left knee injury is expected to take longer than expected, and he will re-evaluate next week, and the possibility of returning in the Eastern Conference semifinals is unlikely, and the best case scenario is to return at some stage in the Eastern Conference Finals.