New York, NY – The NBA released a preliminary playoff schedule for this weekend, slating openers for the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat on Saturday with the Los Angeles Lakers starting on Sunday.
Times, as well as exact matchups for some teams, won't be determined until the conclusion of the regular season on Thursday.
The Bulls will be the top seed in the Eastern Conference and will face either Philadelphia or New York on Saturday, while the Heat will be the second seed and will play either the 76ers or Knicks on Saturday.
Also Saturday, the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers will open their series, while the remaining East quarterfinal will pit Boston against Atlanta. Home court advantage still needs to be determined in the 4-5 matchup, but that series will start Sunday.
The Lakers are locked into the third seed in the West and will face either defending champion Dallas or Denver in a first-round matchup that will start Sunday. Denver or Dallas will open against second-seeded Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Also Sunday, West top seed San Antonio will host Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers will take on Memphis to start the 4-5 matchup.
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