In a year characterized by an unprecedented congregation of NBA superpowers in the major American markets, April 16, 2011 marks the first pyrotechnic explosion of a 60 day, world-class fireworks show. The 2011 NBA Playoffs kickoff this Saturday and promise to be a new brand of exciting.
What else can you expect after an NBA regular season that has provided more thrills and adversity than than a summer blockbuster. That has received more attention than any in the history of the sport. The fact is, these playoffs might not be suitable for pregnant women, children under 12 and people with back or heart conditions. Because unlike past years, there aren't only two or three contenders. Even for the favorites, the Los Angeles Lakers, objects in the rear view mirror may be closer than they appear. There are no longer as many illusions as there are expectations. And remember, hope is only as alive as it is mortal.
Most of our dreams will be crushed. Only one team and its tiny minority of NBA fans will taste that sweet champagne called victory. The rest of us must take solace in the uncertainty of next year.
For the basketball purist, the dream will suffice. For the celebrity consumer, the spectacle will satisfy. But make no mistake about it, this postseason, everyone is getting their fix.
Below you will find a schedule designed for your bookmarking and printing pleasure. It tells you where and when you can catch all of the action:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago vs. Indiana
Game 1 - Sat April 16, Indiana at Chicago, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Indiana at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Chicago at Indiana, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Chicago at Indiana, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT
*Game 5 - Tue April 26, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Thu April 28, Chicago at Indiana, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sat April 30, Indiana at Chicago, TBD, TNT
Miami vs. Philadelphia
Game 1 - Sat April 16, Philadelphia at Miami, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 - Mon April 18, Philadelphia at Miami, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Miami at Philadelphia, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Miami at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET, ABC
*Game 5 - Wed April 27, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Fri April 29, Miami at Philadelphia, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sun May 1, Philadelphia at Miami, TBD, TBD
Boston vs. New York
Game 1 - Sun April 17, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Tue April 19, New York at Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Boston at New York, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Boston at New York, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
*Game 5 - Tue April 26, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Fri April 29, Boston at New York, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sun May 1, New York at Boston, TBD, TBD
Orlando vs. Atlanta
Game 1 - Sat April 16, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Atlanta at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Fri April 22, Orlando at Atlanta, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun April 24, Orlando at Atlanta, 7:00 p.m. ET, TNT
*Game 5 - Tue April 26, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Thu April 28, Orlando at Atlanta, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sat April 30, Atlanta at Orlando, TBD, TNT
WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio vs. Memphis
Game 1 - Sun April 17, Memphis at San Antonio, 1:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Memphis at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Game 3 - Sat April 23, San Antonio at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 25, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
*Game 5 - Wed April 27, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Fri April 29, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sun May 1, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TBD
L.A. Lakers vs. New Orleans
Game 1 - Sun April 17, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Game 2 - Wed April 20, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 22, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 24, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
*Game 5 - Tue April 26, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Thu April 28, L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sat April 30, New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, TBD, TNT
Dallas vs. Portland
Game 1 - Sat April 16, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 19, Portland at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 21, Dallas at Portland, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 23, Dallas at Portland, 5:00 p.m. ET, TNT
*Game 5 - Mon April 25, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Thu April 28, Dallas at Portland, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sat April 30, Portland at Dallas, TBD, TNT
Oklahoma City vs. Denver
Game 1 - Sun April 17, Denver at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 20, Denver at Oklahoma City, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 23, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 25, Oklahoma City at Denver, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
*Game 5 - Wed April 27, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD
*Game 6 - Fri April 29, Oklahoma City at Denver, TBD, TBD
*Game 7 - Sun May 1, Denver at Oklahoma City, TBD, TBD
* - Only in necessary
TBD - To be determined
TBD - To be determined
No comments:
Post a Comment