NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: First-Round Series Destined for a Game 7
The 2012 NBA playoffs will get off to an epic start with three series reaching a joyous Game 7.
With the lockout-shortened NBA season, there is more uncertainty heading into the playoffs than usual. For starters, teams who peaked late have not had a chance to make much of a climb in the standings.
This creates for intriguing matchups, and it will provide us all with a great postseason from the get-go. These three series are going the distance.
You can view the entire first-round schedule here.
Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Schedule
Game 1 - Sat. April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 2 - Mon. April 30, New York at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. May 3, Miami at New York, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, New York at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Miami at New York, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, New York at Miami, TBD
Why It's Headed to a Game 7
There is not another team harder to gauge than the Knicks. What a disjointed and up-and-down season this team had. It was almost like three seasons in one.
They had the opening and underwhelming version. That gave way to the Linsanity version, which gave way to the post-Mike D'Antoni version.
And this latest version has been playing some solid ball. They are 18-6 in their last 24 games. But the Knicks will take the defending Eastern Conference champs to the limit for more reasons than just their momentum.
The matchup with LeBron James has always brought out the best in Carmelo Anthony, and he will carry this team.
These two last played on April 15th. The Heat won that game by eight, but Carmelo gave us all a taste of the kind of damage he is ready to do in this series.
In that game, he scored 43 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished five assists. With performances like this, the Knicks will be able to push this one to the limit.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
Schedule
Game 1 - Sun. April 29, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 2 - Tue. May 1, Denver at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri May 4, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. May 6, L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, L.A. Lakers at Denver, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Denver at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT
Why It's Headed to a Game 7
There is one area where you do not want to be struggling when playing the Denver Nuggets, and that is with depth. They will attempt to run you ragged if that is the case.
And thanks to the flying elbow and loose mind of Metta World Peace, the Lakers are facing even more depth issues than they already had. This is going to make what was already going to be an interesting series more interesting.
L.A. won their four-game regular-season series 3-1, but the their three wins came by a combined 13 points. Combine all of this with the fact that the Lakers have just a 15-18 record on the road this year, and you have a series going the distance.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Schedule
Game 1 - Sun. April 29, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. May 2, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. May 7, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Why It's Headed to a Game 7
While the two series listed above will surely get more headlines, this series is going to be the most fun.
It features the tenacious and swarming defense of the Grizzlies against the high-flying offense of the Clippers. It is true strength vs. strength. Conversely, it is also weakness vs. weakness.
Memphis struggles mightily in the half court, and the Clippers are too busy hanging on the rims from all their alley-oops to play any defense.
This is going to set up for close games and a close series.
* if necessary
All times are Eastern
TBD - To Be Determined
