NBA Playoffs 2012 TV Schedule: Best Games to Watch on Opening Weekend
This weekend is a big one for the NBA fan as the 2012 postseason gets underway with a huge slate of eight televised games between Saturday and Sunday.
Through a press release from the NBA, via Iamagm.com, the NBA has released the schedule of games for the weekend.
"Saturday, April 28
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks or Denver Nuggets
Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando MagicSunday, April 29
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
"
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks or Denver Nuggets
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The times of the games haven't been released, nor have the networks they can be seen on, but just looking at the early schedule, there are some very good games to watch this weekend.
Here's a quick look at the best ones to watch for the television viewer.
8. Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers
Not much drama here with Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu out of the lineup for the Magic. The Pacers should get off to a good start in this series.
7. Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls
This is assuming the New York Knicks are the No. 7 seed and Philadelphia remains at No. 8. It's a battle of the two best defensive teams in the NBA in terms of points against and could turn into a quick series for the Bulls.
6. Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs
The Jazz have been on a roll the past two weeks, earning the No. 8 seed in the process, but even though they are talented, the Spurs could put a clinic on how to play playoff basketball against them.
5. Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks
This could turn into a really competitive series with a talented Hawks team still trying to break through in the Eastern Conference.
To do so, though, they will have to get past a Boston Celtics team looking to make one more run at an NBA championship. Do Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have it left in them?
You will have to tune in to find out.
4. Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers
Dallas could still jump ahead of Denver, but either way this stands to be a good series.
Looking at it with Denver as the No. 6 seed, you get the highest scoring offense (103.7 PPG) in the NBA against a Lakers team loaded with star power with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
Can Kobe carry the Lakers to another championship? We will find out beginning on Sunday.
3. Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder
A matchup between Dirk Nowitzki and the defending NBA champs against Kevin Durant and the team looking to win it all this season.
Dallas matches up well against Oklahoma City and will put up a fight. We've seen some classic moments between the two teams already this season and that could continue into the playoffs.
If Denver should slide to the No. 7 spot, we'll get a matchup between the two highest scoring teams in the NBA, which should be just as much fun to watch.
2. Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies
Home-court advantage hasn't been decided yet between the two teams, but this promises to be an outstanding series between a pair of young and talented teams.
Will Lob City be effective in the playoffs or will last season's Cinderella team have a repeat of their playoff success from 2011.
This series kicks off on Sunday and should be very fun to watch.
1. New York Knicks at Miami Heat
If somehow the Knicks lose to Charlotte on Thursday night, I will move Bulls-Knicks up to this spot, as either series should be great.
Looking at Knicks-Heat, though, you get the drama of LeBron James and company in the playoffs against Carmelo Anthony and the red-hot Knicks.
This one won't just be entertaining, but it could also be a war between two very good basketball teams. If there is one can't-miss game on the board this weekend, this is the one.
