NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Complete Guide to Wednesday's Game 2 and 3 Action

The 2012 NBA playoffs have provided some fascinating matchups and incredible moments already, with more of the same bound to take place in Wednesday's playoff action.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are set to battle, with the series locked at 1-1. In the West, it's the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Lakers desperate to make amends for their Game 1 drubbing by the Thunder.

Two great matchups and two great games are bound to follow—here's your complete guide to Wednesday's Game 2 and 3 action.

Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers

7 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

Series So Far

As the higher seed, the Celtics entered their series against the 76ers with home-court advantage. Boston took the opening game at home, 92-91, to open up a 1-0 series lead. However, behind some woeful shooting from the C's, Philly was able to level the series at 1-1 with a one-point victory in Game 2.

Key for the Sixers

Against a more-than-capable Celtics defense, the Sixers must move the ball well if they are to create effective offensive production. They'll know that only Boston's poor offense kept them in Game 2, and once set up, that offense is incredibly tough to break down defensively.

Fast-break points, offensive rebounds and solid ball movement around the perimeter are critical for the Sixers in this one.

For the Celtics

With an injured Paul Pierce and an inconsistent-shooting Rajon Rondo, the Celtics will be relying on big man Kevin Garnett to come up with another solid performance in Game 3. The Celtics center is shooting at 59.4 percent throughout the series so far, averaging 22 points per game as well as 11.5 rebounds and two blocks. He will once again be the go-to player for Boston's offense in Game 3.

Game 3 Prediction

After shocking the Chicago Bulls in the opening round and then stealing home-court advantage in this series against the Celtics, the 76ers are riding a wave of momentum in the 2012 NBA playoffs. Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday will lead the Sixers to a commanding lead by halftime, which the Boston Celtics will not be able to overcome this time.

Philadelphia 76ers by seven points.

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder

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

Series So Far

With just one game played in the series so far, it has been all Oklahoma City after it demolished Kobe Bryant's Lakers, 119-90, in Game 1. Once again, it was Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook for the Thunder, with the star duo combining for 52 points and 13 assists en route to the 29-point victory.

For the Lakers

Still reeling from their Game 1 humiliation, the Lakers must improve their defense if they have any hope to contain the All-Star Thunder offense. Whilst stopping Durant and Westbrook, along with James Harden and Serge Ibaka, might seem daunting, it starts with containing Oklahoma's pick-and-roll game, which allowed its stars to hit their shots throughout Game 1.

Lakers coach Mike Brown commented on the need to address the pick-and-roll in his postgame conference:

"

The one thing we have to do, we have to make sure that we give multiple efforts when we're defending the pick-and-roll. They do a great job of sprinting out to the ball screen and creating separation. ... When they're sprinting out, we've really got to get on our high horse, we've got to run with them and we've got to make sure that we affect the ball at the point of the screen as opposed for waiting for the ball to come to us.

"

For the Thunder

Other than just repeating Game 1, the key for the Thunder will be their ability to shut down the Lakers' play inside the paint—particularly Andrew Bynum. The center was 7-of-12 with 14 rebounds in Game 1 and shot 100 percent from the free-throw line.

Kobe Bryant will continue to impact the game from the outside, but Bynum's inside presence and ability to pick up offensive and defensive boards could have a huge impact.

Game 2 Prediction

In Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers were demolished and then came back to win Game 7. They will be hoping for a similar performance in Game 2 against the Thunder.

Kobe Bryant can make all the "adjustments" he wants, and it still won't be enough to contain a high-flying Thunder team. OKC is once again justifying itself as the favorite in the NBA playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder by three points.

These are my thoughts and predictions for Wednesday's action in the 2012 NBA playoffs. I would love to hear yours!

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