NBA Playoffs Schedule 2012: Breaking Down Best Potential Star-Studded Matchups

It wouldn't be the first time the NBA playoffs created drama that would make a daytime soap stop in its tracks, but this postseason could be especially enthralling. 

Will LeBron James finally have his fairy-tale season, replete with both an MVP Award and a title? Will the Celtics or Spurs return to a form not seen in some time?

Derrick Rose could heroically return to form at just the right time. Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant could drop 50 points on any given night, and we could watch Carmelo Anthony reach a whole new level of stardom.

In short, stay tuned—especially for the following matchups. 

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks (Eastern Conference First Round)

Why wait for all the fun to happen late in the postseason? This is an unusually intriguing first-round series thanks to New York's bizarre year and the strong, recent play under Coach Mike Woodson.

The star count might look a little lopsided with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire trying to hold their own against South Beach's esteemed trifecta. New York will also have to make due without the almost unrivaled star power of Jeremy Lin.

The good news for the Knicks is that superstars alone don't win championships, and this is a deceptively deep team thanks to emergent performances by Iman Shumpert and Steve Novak—and, of course, Tyson Chandler, Baron Davis, J.R. Smith and Landry Fields.

Prediction: Miami will probably end up taking this series, but New York is more than capable of making a series of it. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Western Conference Semifinals)

Both teams have exceptional complementary pieces in Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—but, let's be honest: The real story here is Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

The two best scorers in the league will be on display with everything on the line. If you thought Sunday's double-overtime game was dramatic, just wait until these two contenders face off in their respective pursuits of the NBA Finals.

Prediction: Let's hope this series goes seven games no matter what happens. In the end, the Thunder probably have the edge thanks the remarkably prolific scoring of Durant and Westbrook. The again, defense does win championships, and Los Angeles has a couple of very talented seven-footers anchoring that defense. 

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics (Eastern Conference Semifinals)

The real superstars in this game may be the two head coaches. Tom Thibodeau and Doc Rivers have had exceptional seasons, even by their own standards, and there's no question these teams are what they are thanks in large part to the defensive mentality that starts at the top.

The on-court action won't be bad either—Boston's old guys are still better than anyone thinks, and Rajon Rondo continues to become one of the best all-around point guards in the league. The Bulls, meanwhile, have a pretty solid point guard on their roster as well by the name of Derrick Rose. Of course, it's Chicago's depth that has turned heads this season.

Prediction: If Rose plays like an MVP, the Bulls should keep rolling. If not, this is Boston's series to take. 

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers/Oklahoma City Thunder (Western Conference Finals)

If you take the winners of the Lakers/Thunder Semifinals series and throw them up against the West's first seed, you have yourself one heck of a conference final. The Spurs and Lakers are already rivals with a long history of postseason throw-downs, and the Thunder are eager to prove they're the NBA's new benchmark for excellence.

Tim Duncan has come on strong lately, and Tony Parker has had an MVP-caliber season. And yes, Manu Ginobili can still do what only Ginobili can do.

Prediction: If San Antonio remains healthy, no one in the West is stopping the Spurs this year.

Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls/Boston Celtics (Eastern Conference Finals)

This is the one everyone has been waiting for. The Bulls will look avenge their loss at the hands of the Heat in last year's Conference final, or the Celtics will attempt to reassert themselves after just about everyone wrote them off.

Prediction: Too close to call. Call it a cop-out, but seriously... it's too close to call.

The NBA Finals

At this point—and despite what anyone says—we have no clue who will wind up in the Finals. All of these scenarios require some guesswork, but declaring a champion in a year like this would require nothing short of prophetic ability.

Odds will obviously favor teams like the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. You could also make a case for dark-horse candidates like the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies or Los Angeles Clippers.

The one guarantee is that there will be a great story—either a clash of titanic personalities or an underdog surprise we didn't see coming.