The Chicago Bulls will open their NBA playoff schedule by hosting the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their series on Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m. ET at the United Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and local cable partners of the teams. It will be the first game of the 2011 NBA Playoffs; two other East series kick off on Saturday, and at least one West series should as well. (None of the West's four playoff series are yet set.)

The rest of the series schedule has yet to be announced, but expect 1-2 days of rest between games. Because it begins on Saturday and the Bulls are such heavy favorites, the Chicago-Indiana series has the greatest likelihood of ending earlier than any other first-round series.

The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks also tip off on Saturday, and Orlando is expected to handle Atlanta quickly. The winner of that series will meet the winner of Bulls-Pacers.