NBA Playoffs 2012: Most Exciting Potential Matchups in Round 2
We've seen some fantastic games thus far in the postseason, but we haven't been treated to too much drama.
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and six other teams already have three wins.
Not a single series has been tied at two games apiece (although the Grizzlies can tie the Clippers at two tonight), and injuries have been a bigger story than gameplay in some cases.
Soon enough, we'll be through to round two and things should heat up there.
Here's a look at the most exciting potential matchups in the conference semifinals.
Lakers vs. Thunder
OKC was dispatched by the eventual-champion Lakers in the postseason two years ago, and then bounced by eventual-champion Dallas last season.
This year they've already avenged the Mavericks loss and will likely get a chance to take on the Lakers next.
This showdown hardly needs any explaining. The veteran experience of the Lakers vs. the youthful playmaking skills of the Thunder is a matchup everyone wants to see, and most believe the winner of this series will go on to represent the Western Conference in the finals.
Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant went down to the wire for the scoring title this year, and it wouldn't be surprising at all to see them do the same on the court with their seasons on the line.
Celtics vs. 76ers
In another battle of experience vs. youth, the Celtics and 76ers would be one of the most intriguing matchups of this postseason.
Philly looks like they'll get past Chicago in large part due to injured Bulls stars, and the Celtics have shown they're still a threat when the season is on the line.
This is just the beginning of things for the 76ers, a young team with a ton of talent, while Boston's run of the "Big Three" is coming to an end.
We'll not only get an interesting series of games, but it should have no shortage of drama either.
These teams met three times this season (Philly won twice, Boston once) and the average margin of victory was 23 points.
