NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Previews of Likely 2nd-Round Matchups

Most of the NBA playoff picture looks exactly as expected, save for one injury-provoked shock in the East. That leaves very few surprises to look forward to in the second round.

The top teams in the East are winning (except for one), and the top teams in the West are dominating. Will we see any surprises at all in the second round, or was this year's postseason tailor-made for a Heat-Oklahoma City Finals matchup?

While the first round continues to play itself out, here's an early look at what the second-round schedule could look like. In the meantime, you can take a look at the dates and times for the rest of the first-round games here.

No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers

Celtics fans are very likely rejoicing at the fact that the Sixers currently hold a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Bulls—and for good reason. The Celtics dropped three of four to the Bulls in the regular season, so going through Chicago en route to the Eastern Conference finals wasn't an appealing option. 

The Bulls look just about as down and out as humanly possible, seemingly having lost all of their momentum at the end of a Game 1 win, when Derrick Rose went down with an ACL tear. When they lost Joakim Noah, they were left dangerously shorthanded, and it showed in their Game 4 loss at Philly. Now that they're one game away from elimination, they look like they just can't wait for it to be over.

As it stands, the Celtics are one game away from sending the Hawks packing in their own first-round series. After dropping Game 1 on the road, they've won three straight statement games, including Sunday night's 101-79 demolition. For three games, the Hawks played like a team that would be just fine without Al Horford; in Game 4, despite getting Horford back for a short spurt, they played like the team most expected to see in the postseason.

No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Miami Heat

The Knicks managed to stave off elimination at home in Game 4, but it's still only a matter of time before the Heat earn their rite of passage to the second round, where they'll face the Pacers, who also hold a 3-1 lead over Orlando.

Most expected a sweep for the Heat, and they were close to getting it on Sunday—but Dwyane Wade missed a late three-pointer that would've sent New York home for good. Nevertheless, Miami will get three more chances to close this one out, beginning on Wednesday night.

The Pacers, meanwhile, have taken advantage of a Dwight Howard-less Magic squad, much like everyone expected. After winning Game 1, the Magic have dropped three straight and lost any last ounce of momentum they had in Saturday's overtime loss at home.

No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

The Spurs have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the entire postseason landscape, as they've barely even been challenged by eighth-seeded Utah. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have combined to form one of the scariest trios in the NBA, and the Clippers will likely be the next team to experience it firsthand—if they can get past Memphis first.

The Clippers-Grizzlies series has been the tightest of the playoffs thus far. Both of LA's wins have come by one point, and they lost Game 2 by seven. There aren't two more evenly-matched teams, but eventually, the Clippers will manage some hint of proficiency at the free-throw line, which should give them a bit more leeway.

Given a limited Caron Butler, who played through a broken hand in Game 3, the Grizzlies seem to be at their limit. The Clippers, alternately, can and will find a way to push harder to get out of this series alive, even if all it takes is an increased focus at the charity stripe.

No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers

The Thunder, as expected, have punched their ticket to Round 2 with ease, sweeping the defending-champion Mavericks out of the playoffs with a 103-97 road win on Saturday. Now, they have the luxury of sitting back and waiting while the Nuggets and the Lakers tire themselves out.

Though the Lakers hold a 3-1 series edge, it hasn't been easy. After handily winning Game 1, 103-88, their next two wins—which bookended a Game 3 loss—came by a four-point margin. The secret to their success? Their supporting cast.

In Game 3, Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum carried the load, but Jordan Hill (12 points, 11 rebounds), Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake all chipped in at critical junctures to seal the win.

LA won't win if it's up to the stars alone to make it happen, which is why its deep bench will carry it to one more victory—after which the Lakers will face a very rested, very hunger Thunder team.