NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Power Ranking 2nd-Round Matchups We Want to See

If we can somehow make it through through the rest of the first round of the NBA playoffs in one piece, there are some terrific potential second-round matchups awaiting our viewership. 

Granted, at this pace Patty Mills, Chris Duhon and Jannero Pargo will be starting point guards by next week, but I still feel confident looking forward.

Sorry if I just jinxed your team. 

Here's a complete playoff schedule, and what follows is a look at the best potential second-round matchups. 

4. Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks

This one has about as much chance of happening as Kate Upton doing the "Cat Daddy" dance in my living room, but I had to include it. 

Just because it's a matchup of arguably the two biggest train wrecks in the NBA this season. 

The Dwight Howard drama was easily the most annoying part of the year, but without him, the Magic are suddenly very average.

If they somehow advance to the second round, Stan Van Gundy should receive the power to trade DH12, and there would be nothing better than watching all of that nonsense unfold. 

On the other side, the Knicks are slowly but surely falling apart. 

Iman Shumpert tore his ACL, Amar'e Stoudemire is punching fire extinguishers and Jeremy Lin is still far from 100 percent. The Knicks are partying like it's 2003 with Mike Bibby and Baron Davis as their point guards. 

Part of it isn't New York's fault, as they've had to fight through various injuries, but it's still a mess. 

This series would be so bad, it would be good. 

3. Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics/Atlanta Hawks

The Derrick Rose injury was one of the more heartbreaking of the season, but the Bulls are going to carry on. 

Remember, they were still a very good team while Rose was sidelined during the season, and their bench out-played Miami's starters back in early April. 

If anyone can get through something like this, it's Tom Thibodeau.

The Bulls might not be one-seed caliber anymore, but Chicago against an under-performing Boston or Atlanta squad will be a very even series.

It will go seven. 

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Tony Parker vs. Chris Paul.

Legitimate MVP candidate having a career year vs. legitimate MVP candidate who saved a troubled franchise. 

Point guard who attacks at 110 miles per hour vs. point guard who attacks at 115 miles per hour.

Yeah, that has the makings for some instant classics.  

Oh yeah, and there's DeJuan Blair going up against Reggie Evans.

Someone might die. 

1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

AKA, Elbowgate, part II. 

There are certainly plenty of implications surrounding Metta World Peace's return against the Thunder, but people forget how entertaining that game actually was.

You know, outside the massacre on James Harden.

The Thunder led by 16 heading into the fourth quarter, but L.A. made a furious comeback to force the game into overtime, before eventually winning the double-OT thriller. 

Throw in the abundance of stars (Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, oh my!), and you've got yourself the best potential second-round matchup. 

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