NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Game 5 Slate Will Determine Conference Final Matchups

Each NBA playoff series is reaching its pivotal point. For every series, except the one-sided Spurs vs. Clippers set, the most important game will be Game 5.

The Celtics and Sixers are tied at two games apiece entering their fifth game, the Thunder are up three-to-one on the Lakers and the Heat trail the Pacers two games to one. The Spurs are the only team making quick work of their opponent, holding a three-to-zero advantage over the Clippers.

Game 5 could determine the victor or create unstoppable momentum in one team's favor. No matter what, it is of immeasurable importance to each squad.

Let's take a look at each series and how Game 5 will impact conference-final pairings.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers

I figured we could get the easiest one out of the way first. The Spurs will sweep the CIippers in Game 4 on Sunday, and Game 5 will never exist.

San Antonio overcame a 24-point deficit to hand the Clippers their third-straight defeat, and extend the Spurs' winning streak to 17 games.

The Spurs are simply too much for the upstart Clippers.

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker control the tempo, Kawhi Leonard is perhaps the biggest surprise from last year's NBA Draft, and Manu Ginobili and Stephen Jackson are essentially two more starters off the bench.

The Spurs are in a league of their own, and should be favored to win the NBA title.

If the Clippers make it to Game 5 the series will end there, but don't expect things to get that far. The Spurs are intent on earning Tim Duncan his fifth championship ring.

No one is going to stand in their way.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have failed to close out two games in the fourth quarter against the Thunder.

Los Angeles led by as many as 11 in Game 4 with less than eight minutes left, and couldn't hold the lead. They also enjoyed a seven-point lead with two minutes left in Game 2, but failed to close out that game.

That makes Game 5 do-or-die for the Lakers.

If they can grab victory in Game 5 and push the series to another game, the Lakers will have a chance. Their experience, skill and obvious size advantage cannot be stressed enough to anyone counting this team out.

The Thunder want to put this team away in Game 5. Kobe Bryant is not a player to be given extra chances.

Expect Oklahoma City to put the clamps on the Lakers in Game 5 on Monday night in order to advance to the Western Conference finals to face the Spurs.

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat must win their Game 4 contest against Indiana on Sunday.

If they do, Game 5 becomes important for both sides. If they don't, it becomes a must-win for Miami.

The Heat have looked dreadful in their last two games. Chemistry, intensity and overall production have lacked severely. Chris Bosh's absence has been felt more than anyone anticipated.

Without Bosh, LeBron James has been forced to move to power forward, matching up with David West. West has taken advantage of this matchup, using his face-up game to wear James down.

Miami's poor interior players are no match for Indiana's hard-nosed defense, or Roy Hibbert's developing post game.

The Heat must win in Game 4, figure out their post problems or adapt without them.

If they can win Game 4 and even the series, Game 5 will be very important for Indiana. They must go back to Miami and prove they still control this series.

If Indiana wins on Sunday, they have a chance to close the Heat out in Miami for a trip the Eastern Conference finals.

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia Sixers

Game 5 between the Celtics and Sixers is the most important out of any other playoff series. Boston and Philadelphia are tied at two games apiece.

Game 5 will give a massive advantage to one of these teams. The loser of Game 5 will need two straight victories (one on the road), if they wish to play the winner of Miami and Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals.

Boston and Philadelphia have traded blows so far in this series.

Blown leads, youth vs. experience and two separate styles have all dictated the action so far.

Boston's experience could win out in this series, but Philadelphia's young guns have not backed down at all. Their fast-pace offense has kept them in games with Boston's aging veterans lagging behind.

Boston blew a huge first-half lead in Game 4, allowing the Sixers to even the series in front of their home crowd.

The Celtics must close out the Sixers in Game 5 or risk elimination. The Sixers need a Game 5 victory to avoid a nearly impossible comeback against the experienced Celtics in Games 6 and 7.