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(SB Nation Arizona) Tuesday's 2012 NBA Playoff schedule brought four games with four opportunities for 3-1 series to end. Fortunately for fans (in some cities), only one of those teams was able to get the job done and move on to the next round.
The Indiana Pacers, as very much expected due to a massive talent gap, finished off the Orlando Magic with a 105-87 win. Good bye, Magic, we look forward to seeing who wins the ego battle between Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard. The Pacers await the winner of the Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks series. In other words, they are waiting on the Heat.
In the other three games on Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets took advantage of a low-energy start by the Los Angeles Lakers to force a Game 6. This is not a big surprise from an arrogant Lakers team that has a history of overlooking opponents. Meanwhile, the Thunder are waiting for the Lakers to get their act together so they can meet in the next round.
The Chicago Bulls dominated the Philadelphia 76ers with defense in a 77-69 win to make that a 3-2 series. And a fully-manned Atlanta Hawks team executed better down the stretch to beat the Boston Celtics, 87-86, and force a Game 6 in that series. As is often the case in the East, neither game was pretty.
Here's the NBA Playoff schedule for Wednesday night:
New York Knicks at Miami Heat at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT on TNT
The Knicks have lost three point guards to injury and are down to Mike Bibby as their only option. That won't end well. The Heat should be able to cruise through this game, but it's Miami so you never really know if they will bring the killer instinct or just chill out and wait for the wins to roll in with the tide.
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT on TNT
The Grizzlies were our pick to win this series but find themselves down 3-1 to the Clippers. Give L.A. credit for solid defense and for having the best player on the court in crunch time. Chris Paul has been unstoppable, despite the variety of good wing defenders the Grizzlies can throw at him.
