The NBA has released the Western Conference playoff schedule, outlining key dates, venues, and broadcast details for opening round matchups.

The final game of the first round of NBA Play-In Tournament games is a rematch of teams who have seen each other very recently. The No.9 Los Angeles Clippers and No.10 Golden State Warriors just four days after the Clippers beat Golden State by five on the last day of the regular season.

The start of this NBA season hinted that history might be within reach. The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed out to a staggering 24–1 record through their first 25 games, suddenly placing real pressure on one of the league's most untouchable milestones — the Golden State Warriors' 73–9 campaign.

LeBron James named his ideal NBA Finals matchup for the Los Angeles Lakers, and it involves a rivalry with very deep roots.

The odds indicate the true NBA Finals will be a potential Western Conference showdown between the defending champion Thunder and a Spurs team that has had its way with Oklahoma City this season.

The Hornets' uptempo attack and relentless pace will remind fans of the pace-and-space Pacers that made it all the way to the Finals.

The Houston Rockets begin their NBA playoff run on Saturday. The road to the NBA Finals will be extremely tough.

NBA voice Mark Jones says goodbye this weekend.