2012 NBA Playoff Schedule: Picks and Predictions for Today's Matchups

The NBA playoffs begin this afternoon and there are four awesome matchups to look forward to throughout the day.

Let’s take a look at each one of them and predict a winner.

No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers at No. 1 Chicago Bulls – 1 p.m. ET on TNT

Evan Turner actually told the media that he would prefer to play the top-seeded Bulls instead of the No. 2 Miami Heat.

He’s going to get his wish today and he’s soon going to regret it.

Chicago is a vastly superior club and will have no problem dispatching a 76ers team that was not all that impressive in the second half of the regular season.

Prediction: Chicago 92, Philadelphia 84

No. 7 New York Knicks at No. 2 Miami Heat – 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

This is going to be one of the best games of the day. The Knicks are going to give the Heat all they can handle because of Carmelo Anthony’s presence. He’s been absolutely lighting it up over the past few weeks and doesn’t look to be slowing down.

Melo has established himself as the alpha dog on this team and he’ll lead his team to a surprise victory that will stun Miami and put them on the defensive for the rest of the series

Prediction: New York 102, Miami 100

No. 6 Orlando Magic at No. 3 Indiana Pacers – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

The Pacers have a home-court advantage in the playoffs for the first time since their 2004 Eastern Conference Finals run.

They are going to use it to their advantage and easily overcome the Dwight Howard-less Magic with a raucous crowd cheering them on.

Prediction: Indiana 95, Orlando 84

No. 7 Dallas Mavericks at No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder – 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

A rematch of the 2011 Western Conference Finals begins tonight and the Thunder are out to prove they have vastly improved since last May.

Dallas is going to struggle against their fresh legs and abundant athleticism without a number of key pieces from last year’s title run.

Look for the Thunder to win an easy one here at home.

Prediction: Oklahoma City 99, Dallas 92