NBA Playoff 2012 TV Schedule: Predictions for All-Important Game 1 Matchups

Sixty percent of the time, the Game 1 winner of the Conference Finals goes on to the NBA Finals every time. 

OK, Brian Fantana's logic may be a little off, but winning Game 1 is going to be ultra-important for the remaining four NBA teams. 

Getting out to an early series lead doesn't just mean you're three games away from winning the series; it means you have the momentum, confidence and all-out edge. If the road team happens to snatch Game 1, then that is one of the biggest 180-turns a series can take. 

Sometimes, the outcome of Game 1 is more important for head-games than anything else, so let's take a look at what to expect.

For a complete Conference Finals schedule and TV information, click here.

San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder

What intrigues me most about this matchup is, um, the matchups. Or more accurately, the individual matchups and rotations that each head coach will have to use. 

How will the Spurs cover lightning quick point guard Russell Westbrook? They could put the long, rangy Danny Green on him, but that leaves Tony Parker on a bigger Thabo Sefolosha, and more importantly, on James Harden when he's in.

When Green has to switch to Harden, and Kawhi Leonard is inevitably on Kevin Durant, will Parker be able to defend Westbrook and the pick-and-roll? This will be especially hard if the Thunder run it with Serge Ibaka (meaning Kawhi Leonard, who is so good at hedging and recovering, won't be involved) and Parker-Duncan or Parker-Boris Diaw have to defend it.

The Spurs are terrific at stopping the pick-and-roll, and they showed that against Chris Paul and the Clippers, but the Thunder have enough weapons to stretch them out more than they like. 

And on the other side of the ball, will Greg Popovich play Matt Bonner more in an effort to stretch Serge Ibaka away from the basket? 

Then you have Harden potentially guarding Manu Ginobili in a battle of slow(er), yet incredibly efficient guards. 

Because this series, and Game 1, is going to be so matchup-based and so even, I'm picking more based on coaching than I am stats or anything.

(Although, San Antonio's 107.1 points per 100 possessions and 51.9 shooting from three-point range against the Thunder during the regular season (via nba.com) doesn't hurt the Spurs' chances.)

This is going to be a chess match, and that means I like Popovich—arguably the best coach in the league—and his team's 28-5 home record to come out with a convincing win in Game 1. 

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics

So, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James scored about 9,000 points in the last three games to absolutely embarrass the Indiana Pacers.

They are just playing mad, and when they have a chip on their shoulder, it's not really fair for opposing defenses. 

Additionally, Indiana actually had some guys with length, such as Paul George and Danny Granger, to guard Wade and James.

Who does Boston have?

The Celtics play menacing team defense, but without Avery Bradley, who was terrific against Wade during the regular season and is a big part why Boston handled Miami three times in March, Ray Allen will have to play important defense.

And Ray Allen does not look healthy.

If he has to guard Wade, it's over. Boston's best shot will be to put Rajon Rondo on Wade and then hope Paul Pierce or maybe Brandon Bass can slow down LeBron James. 

Call me crazy, but I don't see that working out too well.

I like Boston to shut down Miami's role players, but James and Wade have proven they can carry the team by themselves.

The Miami Heat are on absolute fire, and the Celtics are coming off one of the ugliest series of all time. Miami is going to win Game 1 in a blowout. 

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