NBA Playoff TV Schedule 2011: Most Important Games to Watch Opening Weekend
After an exciting NBA season, the playoffs are ready to start.
There are many storylines to watch in these NBA playoffs: Can Kobe win his sixth title? Are the Bulls for real? Are the Celtics done? And much more.
Even though it's only the first round, there is much to watch for, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding the top teams in the league.
As well, make sure that you are able to tune in to all of the opening games this weekend, the time and place that will be listed.
Indiana Pacers (37-45) at Chicago Bulls (62-20)
1 of 8
When: Saturday April 16 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: ESPN
The Bulls and the Pacers open up the 2011 NBA playoffs on ESPN.
This series is a bout of firsts: This is the first time the Pacers have made the playoffs since 2006, and this is the first year the Bulls have held the No. 1 seed in the East since Jordan. The teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum: The Bulls have won eight in a row coming into the playoffs while the Pacers back in with the worst record of any playoff team.
In the season series, the Bulls won 3-1, with the lone loss being in overtime with Carlos Boozer out.
Star Watch
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.5 APG 43.4% FG vs IND)
Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger (20,0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 36.7% FG vs CHI)
What to Watch For
Honestly, this series should be a cakewalk for the Bulls. The Pacers are the worst team to get into the playoffs since 2009. However, this series answers the question, is Joakim Noah's ankle healed?
Against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Joakim twisted a sprained ankle that had kept him out for three games. Even when Joakim has played, he hasn't been great, only averaging nine points and six rebounds in 24 minutes per game. If the Bulls want to have a chance at winning a championship, they need Joakim Noah to be at full strength.
Philadelphia 76ers (41-41) at Miami Heat (58-24)
2 of 8
When: Saturday April 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: ABC
It's finally time for us to find out: Are the Heatles built for the playoffs? On one side are the Heat who come into the playoffs with 58 wins and a boatload of expectations, and the other was perhaps the surprise team in the Eastern Conference, with virtually no expectations.
The Heat swept the season series at 3-0.
Star Watch
Miami Heat: LeBron James (22.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, 56.1% FG vs PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala (13.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.0 SPG vs MIA)
What to Watch For
It's unfortunate that Philadelphia was matched up against Miami. The Sixers are one of the youngest and most athletic teams in the playoffs this year. If they had played Boston, they might have been able to force enough turnovers and outrun the Celtics enough to cause an upset. However against the Heat, there's no chance of outrunning LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, perhaps the two most athletic players in the whole league.
However, we will need to watch for how the Heat mesh in this series. The Heat have had problems with the Big Three trying to share the ball, which has only been exposed more in pressure situations at the end of games. While the Heat may not need to respond to pressure against the Sixers, we can see if they can figure out how to share the ball effectively in this series.
Atlanta Hawks (44-38) at Orlando Magic (52-30)
3 of 8
When: Saturday April 16 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: ESPN
This series is one of two series in the East that may actually be a series. The Orlando Magic come into the series with a new look than in previous years with the departures of Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis, combined with the introduction of Gilbert Arenas, who has been horrible, and the return of Hedo Turkoglu. The Hawks, on the other hand, bring back the same team from last year only with a weaker Joe Johnson and a point guard who has the ability to move laterally, in Kirk Hinrich.
Atlanta won the season series at 3-1, with the lone loss coming before the series of Magic trades.
Star Watch
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard (19.2 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.8 BPG, 43.1% FG)
Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson (19.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 47.9% FG)
What to Watch For
Although the Magic have been the superior team, the Hawks have had their number this season. Unfortunately for Hawks fans, I don't know if this will carry to the playoffs. Joe Johnson has been notoriously bad in the playoffs ever since his brilliance in 2005 with the Suns. The Magic, on the other hand, have a player who can singlehandedly dominate a series, in Dwight Howard, although he struggled against the Hawks this season.
We need to watch for whether Hedo Turkoglu can emerge after his rough season. In 2009, Hedo was a huge part of the Magic's finals run, earning himself a fat paycheck in the process. If the Magic want to go far in the playoffs, Hedo has to emerge as a legitimate secondary ball-handler to Jameer Nelson.
Portland Trailblazers (48-34) at Dallas Mavericks (57-25)
4 of 8
When: Saturday April 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: ESPN
The Mavericks come into this series on a four-game winning streak, a nice reprieve from the struggles they had against the elite of the league not very long ago. The Trailblazers come into this series with LaMarcus Aldridge emerging as an elite big man and an always great home crowd ready for the playoffs.
The season series was knotted up at 2-2, with each team winning its home games.
Star Watch
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki (21.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 52.5% FG)
Portland Trailblazers: LaMarcus Aldridge (27.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 51.6% FG)
What to Watch For
This series has the potential to be one of the most exciting series in the league. The Mavericks are the one top-four seed that has looked completely beatable as of late, and they come into a game against a team that is smart, athletic and well-coached. The key to this series will be the play of the role players. We know that Dirk and Aldridge can get their points, but it will come down to the rest of each team.
Although Dallas has some exceptional role-players like Shawn Marion and Jason Terry, Portland has some of the best role-players in the league in Gerald Wallace and Marcus Camby, among others. If Dallas' bench and defense cannot step up, it could be another early exit for the Mavs.
Memphis Grizzlies (46-36) at San Antonio Spurs (61-21)
5 of 8
When: Sunday April 17 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: TNT
The Spurs lost both home-court advantage through the playoffs and Manu Ginobili in their last regular season game against the Suns.
The season series is knotted at 2-2: Rudy Gay did not play in any of these games.
Star Watch
Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph (23.0 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 42.7% FG)
San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker (19.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 54.5% FG)
What to Watch For
If Memphis had Rudy Gay on the floor, I would seriously be looking at upset potential. However the Spurs are just too experienced, too methodical and too good on defense to lose to a Gay-less Grizzlies team. It's important to watch Manu Ginobili play in this round because the Spurs cannot expect to even beat a team like Oklahoma City in the second round if Manu is not near 100 percent.
New Orleans Hornets (46-36) at Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)
6 of 8
When: Sunday April 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: ABC
The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers enter the playoffs on a cold streak, but still as the favorites to come out of the West this year. The Hornets have played well this season but have struggled since losing All-Star power forward David West to a torn ACL on March 24, coming into the playoffs on a three-game slide.
The Lakers swept the season series 4-0.
Star Watch
New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul (15.8 PPG, 10.2 APG, 56.1% FG, 55.6% 3FG)
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant (26.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 48.7% FG)
What to Watch For
With David West out, the Hornets have virtually no chance against these Lakers, especially with their size. One thing to watch for will be whether Andrew Bynum has fully healed from his injury. Bynum is without a doubt the X-factor on this Laker team because of his defense and mismatch potential. If Bynum can't play well against the undersized Emeka Okafor, then I might be worried about his ability to play well in the playoffs.
New York Knicks (42-40) at Boston Celtics (56-26)
7 of 8
When: Sunday April 17 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: TNT
If I'm a Celtics fan, I'm legitimately worried about the playoffs this year. Yes, they have showed an ability to overcome adversity in the playoffs, but these just aren't the same Celtics of before. The Knicks, on the other hand, are finding their stride after acquiring Carmelo Anthony.
The Celtics swept the season series 4-0.
Star Watch
Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce (26.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 52.9% FG, 58.3% 3FG)
New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire (24.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 52.2% FG)
What to Watch For
As Rajon Rondo goes, the Celtics go. Unfortunately, Rondo has not been going at all as of late, leading to the Celtics going on a slide at the end of the season. The Knicks, on the other hand, have figured it out as of late, winning seven in a row before a loss to the Bulls. Amar'e Stoudemire will be back for the playoffs as well, so the Knicks may hit their stride right in time to see Boston falter. I'm not predicting an upset, but I would be worried if I'm a Celtics fan.
Denver Nuggets (50-32) at Oklahoma City Thunder (55-27)
8 of 8
When: Sunday April 17 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: TNT
The Thunder and Nuggets both come in as two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference. Both teams also made huge moves at the NBA trade deadline.
The Thunder won the season series 3-1.
Star Watch
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant (31.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 48.7% FG)
Denver Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari (17.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 48.7% FG)
What to Watch For
This will probably be the series to watch this postseason. Both teams have been great since the trades they each made and both teams are young and athletic. Ultimately, it will come down to this: Can Kevin Durant succeed in the playoffs? Last year against the Lakers, he just disappeared. It's difficult for jump-shooting players to keep it up in the playoffs, so we need to watch and see whether he can against a mediocre defense.
