2012 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs Schedule: Knicks vs Heat matchup draws attention

New York Knicks gathered most of the attention this season because of what happened to the entire team. The slow start of the team was marred by the inability of the two players to coexist. When the other player was injured, here comes the biggest and captivating story in the NBA for 2011-2012 season: Jeremy Lin’s entrance to the Knicks that brought the team into .500. However, the Miami Heat were always there clinging for the second place almost all the way. Knicks vs Heat will be the most exciting series in the Eastern Conference as the NBA Playoffs Schedule 2012 was released.

After Lin’s popularity subsided when the star Carmelo Anthony added back to the roster, the Knicks again were back to the sub .500 team. It caught the attention of many that Mike D’Antonio couldn’t handle the personnel in the Knicks team that he resigned for his job. Knicks had to fill in Mike Woodson as interim coach. The rest is history, Woodson showed that a defense oriented team is the panacea to lack of energy in the court. Anthony played significantly great enough to bring his team into the playoffs even without Lin and Amare Stoudemire in the final stretch of the schedule. Thus, the Knicks got the seventh seed in the East to face the second seed Miami Heat.

Miami is expected to be back in the playoffs especially in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the high scoring LeBron James backup by Dwayne Wade, the Heat will always be a team with so much talent that only the New York Knicks can match in the East. A showdown that will continue to attract viewers because of how will the Heat deal with a team with many stars in it. Not to forget Chris Bosh who is a ‘behemoth’ at the boards and can score double figures night out. Surely, the Big Three of the Heat will be considered as the best three players combined in any team. But not far to that are the Knicks Anthony, Stoudemire, and Chandle who can absolutely match that of the Heat. However, the biggest problem for the Knicks will be the chemistry of the team on how they will face uncertainties. Surely, the presence of veteran Baron Davis will be much needed because of his wide experience in the playoffs.

What to look for in the NBA Playoffs Schedule 2012 between Miami Heat vs New York Knicks? For sure, Anthony and James will be guarding each other most of the team. These two stars who were in the same batch as rookies will again share the spotlight in the Eastern Conference No2 vs No7 seeds. Who will be better this time? Though expect Shane Battier to take care of Anthony in the game. Another matchup will be the Stoudemire and Bosh, two power forwards who will go after each other in both ends of the floor. It is a big question on who will go up against Dwane Wade. He will be the darkhorse of this competition and he will probably be the sweet spot for the Heat.

The Knicks might probably bring Iman Shumpert to contain Wade while Baron Davis to face Mario Chalmers. Whatever the matchups, still the coaches can make the statement in Game 1 as the Knicks vs Heat will collide. Coach Erik Spoelstra knows exactly how he handles the Heat like the way he did it last season. Spoelstra is one of the brilliant coach in the NBA and he also understands that short to a championship ring will cause him his job as a Heat. He will surely make this series a defensive oriented that will stifle the Knicks in all areas of the game.

On the other hand, coach Woodson style will be much like of Spoelstra. A defensive series will be anticipated as the two teams will be physical in nature. Heat vs Knicks 2012 NBA Playoffs Schedule is set to start on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.

EASTERN CONFERENCE – FIRST ROUND
Chicago vs. Philadelphia

Game 1 – Sat. April 28, Philadelphia at Chicago, 1 p.m., TNT
Game 2 – Tue. May 1, Philadelphia at Chicago, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Fri. May 4, Chicago at Philadelphia, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 – Sun. May 6, Chicago at Philadelphia, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Chicago at Philadelphia, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Philadelphia at Chicago, TBD, TNT

Miami vs. New York

Game 1 – Sat. April 28, New York at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 2 – Mon. April 30, New York at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Thu. May 3, Miami at New York, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 – Sun. May 6, Miami at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, New York at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Miami at New York, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, New York at Miami, TBD

Indiana vs. Orlando

Game 1 – Sat. April 28, Orlando at Indiana, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 – Mon. April 30, Orlando at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 – Wed. May 2, Indiana at Orlando, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 – Sat. May 5, Indiana at Orlando, 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Orlando at Indiana, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Indiana at Orlando, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, Orlando at Indiana, TBD

Boston vs. Atlanta

Game 1 – Sun. April 29, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 – Tue. May 1, Boston at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 – Fri. May 4, Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 – Sun May 6, Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. May 8, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thu. May 10, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 12, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT

* if necessary
All times are Eastern
TBD – To Be Determined
R – ESPN radio