NBA Playoff Schedule: Ranking Best Potential Conference Finals Matchups

The NBA playoff schedule is putting the remaining teams through a grueling stretch of games, and the ones that survive the gauntlet will provide entertaining conference finals matchups.

Games three through five in both Western Conference series will be played over just four days, and all four teams will feel the fatigue when Game 6 starts.

The unfortunate scheduling is a result of the lockout-shortened season.

However, the winners of each series will be battle-tested and ready to fight for a championship. Here are the potential matchups for the next round, ranked in order of how intriguing each series would be.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

These are the two best teams left in the playoffs in either conference. When considering only basketball, there would be no better series to watch.

The Spurs are disciplined and experienced. They play excellent defense and slow the game down to their tempo. 

The Thunder play lighting fast and can score in the blink of an eye. They have solid interior defenders and ball-hawks on the perimeter.

The conflicting styles will make this matchup fascinating to watch, and these two teams are capable of producing the best basketball the NBA can offer.

2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

This matchup has intrigue because of reasons outside of basketball. This freeway series would have countless storylines buzzing throughout all the games.

The battle for Los Angeles will be made even more intense by the fact that the teams share the same building. Add in the drama caused by the commissioner's decision to veto the Lakers' trade for Chris Paul, and this matchup could have elements of a soap opera.

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood would be all over this potential series.

3. Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

The Heat took a major blow when they lost Chris Bosh to injury, but fans still want to see LeBron James and Dwyane Wade play.

The MVP will need to carry a heavy load for the remainder of the series against Indiana, but if he can move his team to the next round, a matchup with Boston will get everyone talking.

These two teams look poised for a championship, and this series would be physical and fun to watch.

4. San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

These two teams have won nine of the last 13 NBA championships. 

Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan has brought out some of the most dramatic moments in the league's history, such as Derek Fisher's game-winner with 0.4 seconds on the clock. 

This rivalry has grown throughout the past decade, and fans are ready for the next installment.

5. Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics

Larry Bird might have conflicting emotions about putting his Pacers up against his beloved Celtics.

The 2011-12 NBA Executive of the Year has put together a talented squad in Indiana, and Bostonians would be devastated if the Bird-built Pacers knocked out their Celtics.

This would be a great defensive matchup with two teams that are not afraid to get chippy.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Kendrick Perkins vs. Blake Griffin II. In the first matchup, Griffin won with a knockout blow to Perkins' pride.

But in the team competition, the Thunder have bested the Clippers and are playing better basketball.

The high-flying Thunder going against Lob City would provide for plenty of points, but OKC would be heavily favored in this matchup.

7. Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have shown a lot of heart this postseason, but have also received a fair amount of luck.

The team would have been eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in the first round if both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah had stayed healthy.

The 76ers show great hustle on defense, but a series against Miami is unlikely to be very competitive, even if the Heat are missing Bosh.

8. Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Two small-market teams in the conference finals is the last thing David Stern wants to see, whether or not he's willing to admit it.

But most NBA fans would not show too much interest in this matchup either. 

This series would have a serious lack of star-power. Both teams have overachieved and had nice seasons, but the Eastern Conference Finals will be a lot more interesting without either of them playing.