NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Monday Provides Trio of Crucial Game 2s

The first weekend of the 2012 NBA playoffs is nearly in the books. The action will continue on Monday, and three crucial games will be played. 

These games are critical to playoff hopes and will swing the series dramatically in one team's favor.

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

The Knicks are 11-1 in Madison Square Garden since Mike Woodson took over, but they do not want to come back home down two games to the Miami Heat.

New York needs a victory on Monday to even the series. Losing by 33 points in Game 1 is inexcusable, and it will be tough to bounce back from. 

Game 2 is critical to Miami as well. The Heat's home-court advantage can be squashed with a loss. The Heat would like to show their dominance and ability to put a reeling team down. 

The Knicks scored fewer than 70 points in Game 1, when Carmelo Anthony was abysmal. Game 2 is critical to Anthony's confidence and the entire team's confidence on offense. 

New York has a very small window to pull off this series upset. If it loses Game 2, the window closes.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant's game-winning jumper in Game 1's waning seconds put a dagger in the Mavericks' confidence. Dallas may be the reigning NBA champions, but the Thunder showed their authority in the series' first stanza. 

The Mavericks won 23 games in front of their home crowd this season, but you don't want to rely on a two-game comeback against a talented Thunder squad. 

Oklahoma City's confidence is already through the roof. A Game 2 victory would blow the roof clean off, and put Dallas in a hole it can't recover from. 

Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers suffered a shocking Game 1 loss to the Magic. That makes a Game 2 victory critical to their hopes of advancing to the second round. 

Orlando's Round 1 hopes were all but lost with Dwight Howard's injury. Or, at least we thought so. The Magic's supporting cast emerged in Game 1 and played excellent on both ends of the floor. 

The Pacers lost 10 games at home this season so a Game 2 loss is not inconceivable. If it comes to pass, the inexperienced Pacers will be on upset alert immediately. 

Orlando's role players do not get much attention because of Howard's ego and production. Now is their time to shine.