NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Complete Guide to Game 2 Action

If Day 1 of the 2012 NBA playoffs didn't feature enough drama or excitement for your liking, then I don't know what will.

And whilst I can't promise torn ACL's or game-winning shots, what I can promise is some spectacular matchups and fascinating second games.

Guaranteed.

You'll find a complete guide to all the action across all three matches right here so with that, let's roll.

New York Knicks @ Miami Heat

7 p.m. ET at American Airlines Arena, Miami

New York has the daunting task of facing the Miami Heat at home in their second game of the series—made even tougher by the myriad of opening-game dramas that occurred.

Not only did the Knicks receive the largest defeat in a postseason opener since 2006 and the biggest defeat in any opening game since 2010, they also lost star point guard Iman Shumpert to an ACL tear that will sideline him for the remainder of the playoffs.

And Jeremy Lin isn't available until the end of the week, making what was an already tough task seem like an impossible one.

Miami averaged 48.6 percent from the field en route to their 100-67 drubbing, compared to just 35.7 percent from the Knicks, and if LeBron James and Dwyane Wade continue to fire, then those numbers look set to stay for the Heat.

Their biggest concern will be stopping Carmelo Anthony who, without any disrespect, appears like the only man with a chance of salvaging something for New York. After the opening match, LeBron actually discussed Melo as "the head of the snake."

Carmelo shot just 3-of-15 from the field in Game 1, but with four assists and 10 rebounds, he must be considered the danger man for the Knicks.

Despite this, expect the Miami Heat show to roll on for another week with the kings of South Beach set to push their series lead to 2-0.

They might not churn out another 33-point victory, but it certainly will be double figures, and it certainly will be convincing as Miami will take a deserved 2-0 lead in the series.

Heat by 19 points.

Orlando Magic @ Indiana Pacers

7:30 p.m. ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis 

Many wouldn't have predicted that the Orlando Magic would take the opening match over the Indiana Pacers—especially considering the home-court advantage and the fact that Dwight Howard is out for the remainder of the season.

But behind Glen Davis' double-double and Jameer Nelson's 17 points and nine assists, the Magic did just that, taking out Game 1 with a 81-77 victory.

The biggest concern for the home side will be their final quarter, which saw them self-implode and lose the match in the process.

Indiana failed to score in the final 4:05 of the match, and with a chance to tie the game late, they turned the ball over. Simple things that you don't want to see—especially not in the opening round of the NBA playoffs.

For the Magic, they'll know they were perhaps a little lucky to win the opener, with their defense getting the job done, rather than their offense.

They shot below 40 percent from the field, and with just three steals and 11 blocked shots against, they'll be eager to get their offense going into top gear.

Dwight Howard's presence will no doubt be missed, but the Magic managed to get the job done without him once, and they'll get it done again here. Indiana's momentum-riding days are over after their loss in Game 1, and whilst Danny Granger may improve, they won't have enough as a team.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis will once again have a huge night, as the Orlando Magic win another close one to take a huge 2-0 series lead heading back home.

Magic by five points.

Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder

9:30 p.m. ET at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City

Game 1 was, without a doubt, the game of the round. The defending champions took on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of last year's Western Conference finals, with Kevin Durant hitting the game-winning shot with 1.5 seconds remaining.

Just like the series opener, Dallas will face the tough task of stopping the triple-threat that is the OKC Thunder, and that's not including Sixth Man of the Year James Harden.

Kevin Durant went for 25 points in the opener, and Serge Ibaka chalked up 22, but it was Russell Westbrook who truly dominated, notching 28 points, five assists and three steals.

Their ability to hurt opponents from so many avenues has dumbfounded opponents all throughout the year, and whilst the Mavericks certainly weren't beaten comfortably, they'll know the need to restrict the Big Three if they are to level the series.

The key for the Mavericks will be to continue to out-rebound the Thunder—just like they did in Game 1, with Vince Carter, Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion all recording seven rebounds or more. They picked up six more boards than Oklahoma City, and if they can restrict their second-chance points again in this one, they could slow down their offense in the process.

Dallas shot an astounding 45.5 percent from beyond the arc as well last game—numbers that could well find them with a win should they perform similarly in Game 2.

I know the Thunder are at home, and I know they are the favorites to win. I know they have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and I know they have the blocking machine who is Serge Ibaka.

But something in me says that this one isn't as over as it seems.

The Mavericks almost took out the opening game in Oklahoma, and I think they will no doubt feel that they let that one get away from them. Dallas can turn it on when they want, and I say they blow the Thunder away early in Game 2, building too big of a lead for even the most valuable of players to run down.

This one isn't over—not by a long shot.

Mavericks by eight points.

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