NBA 2011-12 Schedule: Possible NBA Finals Previews You Cannot Miss

Despite what many people think, there is parity in the NBA. There are several teams who have a chance to get to the NBA Finals.

During the season, basketball fans will be treated to some possible NBA Finals previews. These include Lakers vs. Celtics, Bulls vs. Thunder and Heat vs. Lakers.

These matchups and some other ones are games you cannot miss. Let's look at some possible NBA Finals previews you must mark on your calendar so you don't forget about them.

Lakers vs. Heat, January 19

The NBA and Nike would love a LeBron James and Kobe Bryant matchup in the NBA Finals, and there is certainly a possibility that happens this season.

Both teams have superstar players and quality big men who can dominate games. The Lakers will want to avenge losses in the only two meetings they had with the Heat last season.

The Heat and Lakers will play for the first time this season on January 19 in Miami.

Lakers vs. Celtics, February 9

The first meeting of the season between the NBA's best rivals is February 9 in Boston. The Celtics and Lakers are aging teams, but are still NBA Finals contenders and will be tough to beat every night.

Each team won on the other's court last season, and the Boston game featured Ray Allen breaking Reggie Miller's NBA record for three-point shots made in a career.

These two teams do not like each other and their battles are always physical and exciting. 

Bulls vs. Thunder, April 1

This could be an NBA Finals matchup for the next several seasons as the Thunder and Bulls are two of the best young teams in basketball.

Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will get just one shot at the Chicago Bulls this season, on the first Sunday in April.

Bulls point guard and reigning league MVP Derrick Rose will look to lead his Bulls to a big win against an elite Western Conference team late in the season.

This is a matchup you cannot afford to miss.