Fans won't have to wait long at all to see a rematch of the 2011 Western Conference Finals as the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City, who fell to the No. 2 seed in the West after leading the conference for much of the season, will be the favorites this time around as Dallas is wounded compared to last season's playoff matchup. But when Dirk Nowitzki is in action, anything is possible.
Thunder vs. Mavericks tips off on Saturday. Here is the schedule as released by the NBA. All times are Eastern.
Game 1 - Sat., April 28 at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon., April 30 at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu., May 3 at Dallas, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat., May 5 at Dallas, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 - Mon., May 7 at Oklahoma City
Game 6 - Thu., May 10 at Dallas
Game 7 - Sat., May 12 at Oklahoma City, TNT
For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City. For more on the Mavericks, visit Mavs Moneyball and SB Nation Dallas.