After two disappointing loses in games that could have easily gone the other way, the (1-3) Los Angeles Lakers [+8] face elimination at the hands of the (3-1) Oklahoma City Thunder [-8] tonight. According to LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City betting odds experts, the projected OVER/UNDER line is set at a combined total of 192 points this evening. Tipoff for game 5 of this NBA playoff picks 2012 is scheduled for tonight at 9:30 PM ET from Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK, live on TNT Sports.

The (0-0) Miami Heat’s [-8] quest for a title continues with game 1 of the 2012 NBA playoff series predictions' Eastern Conference semifinals against the (0-0) Indiana Pacers [+8]. Inspired by LeBron James third Most Valuable Player Award announcement, Miami will try and get off on the right foot in today’s series opener.

"His goal is to be the best player at the end of the season," said Dwyane Wade about LBJ winning the MVP award. "But if he can pick up a little history along the way, I don't think he's mad about that at all."

It has all come down to this for the (3-3) Denver Nuggets [+5.5] and the (3-3) Los Angeles Lakers [-5.5]: winner-takes-all, game 7 of the Western Conference first round NBA playoff picks 2012!

We’ve seen the Lake Show look like championship contenders at times, while others times, they’ve looked no better than a bunch of quitters. Questions about Andrew Bynum’s psyche are a huge concern for a Lakers team that’s highly dependant of the 24-year-old center.

After the Los Angeles Lakers collapse last night in Denver, we may have the (3-2) LA Clippers [-3] representing the City of Angels in the second round. With a chance to close out their series, a banged up Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will try to end the (2-3) Memphis Grizzlies [+3] season tonight at Staples.

If it’s true that “loose lips sink ships,” (3-2) Los Angeles Lakers [+1½] center Andrew Bynum wasn’t aware. Supplying the (2-3) Denver Nuggets [-1½] with all the motivation they needed right before their game 5 meeting, the young 7-footer will likely keep his mouth shut this time around.

“Closeout games are actually kind of easy,” Bynum said before game 5. “Teams will fold if you come out and play hard.”

After failing to get it done on the road, the (3-1) Miami Heat [-11] return home with an opportunity to close out the (1-3) New York Knicks [+11] at the American Airlines Arena tonight. Game 5 of this best-of-seven, free NBA playoff predictions series is scheduled to get underway this evening at 7 PM ET live on TNT Sports.

The (3-1) Los Angeles Lakers [-5] are now just one NBA playoff picks 2012 win away from advancing to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. They key for LA taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series with the (1-3) Denver Nuggets [+5] has been execution and Kobe Bryant’s newfound trust in his teammates.

Trying to make the best out of what is very likely the Big Three’s last opportunity to win a title, the (3-1) Boston Celtics [+1½] will try to punch their ticket into the next round with a win over the (1-3) Atlanta Hawks [-1½] tonight. Luckily for the C’s, the way the free NBA playoff predictions bracket is set up, one more victory would pretty much cement their chances of at worst making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

After taking home-court advantage away from the (1-2) Memphis Grizzlies [+1½], the (2-1) Los Angeles Clippers [-1½] held serve with an 87-86 victory in game 3 of the NBA playoff picks 2012. Trying to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series, the Clippers will have the home crowd behind tonight.

Our shortened season is now over, which means it’s finally time for 2012 NBA basketball playoff predictions! This year, the postseason promises to be filled with high expectations, great games, and even matchups. The first predictions I’m going to make is that these 2012 NBA playoffs will have more twists and turns than people anticipated it would have.

In the Eastern Conference, the seedings go as follows:
 

With less than 10 games remaining in the free NBA picks regular season, the race for the Eastern Conference’s top seed is heating up. Two games separate the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls in the standings, as this thing now becomes a sprint to see who reaches the finish line first.

The Miami Heat’s chance to win the first of five, six, seven, eight championships was ruined by the Dallas Mavericks last season. This year, the (35-13) Heat [-8] seems poised to get back to the NBA Finals, while the (29-22) Mavericks [+8] are still trying to regain their form.

Two teams beginning to heat up in the Eastern Conference playoff race will meet at the world's most famous arena, as the (32-18) Orlando Magic [-3] invade Madison Square Garden to take on the (25-25) New York Knicks [+3] tonight.

This game's is scheduled to tip off this evening at 7 PM ET and it'll be broadcasted live on ESPN. According to free NBA picks experts, the OVER/UNDER between Orlando and New York is set at a combined total of 192 points scored.

Looking for a fifth straight win over the (23-14) Indiana Pacers [+12.5], the (30-9) Miami Heat [-12.5] will also be looking to extend its current home streak to 12 consecutive victories. American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami will be the site for an intraconference battle between the Pacers and Heat.

2012 NBA Picks: Lakers vs Timberwolves Basketball Odds: After winning four straight games including a huger win over Miami, the (23-16) Los Angeles Lakers [-1] have gone back to their old ways once again. Just when Lakers thought their team had finally figured things out and was beginning to gel as a unit, comes an atrocious two-game losing streak.

With a week away from the NBA’s trade deadline, Dwight Howard is still with the (25-15) Orlando Magic [+6.5], as they prepare to take on the best team in the league in the (23-8) Chicago Bulls [-6.5]. This free basketball predictions game is scheduled to get underway tonight at 8 PM ET on TNT Sports.

Free Basketball Picks Hawks vs Heat NBA Odds: After losing two straight, the (29-9) Miami Heat [-12] got back in the win column with a resounding 108-78 victory over the lowly New Jersey Nets. But even with Chris Bosh back in the lineup, Miami might find itself without one of their stars again when the NBA odds underdog (23-15) Atlanta Hawks [+12] come to town.

Linsanity takes his show on the road tonight, as the (18-19) New York Knicks [+2.5] try their luck against the defending NBA champion (22-17) Dallas Mavericks [-2.5]. This basketball predictions contest is scheduled to tipoff at 8:30 PM ET and it’ll be broadcasted live on MSG, FSSW and NBATV.

Free Basketball Picks Pacers vs Bulls NBA Odds: After holding off a resilient Philadelphia 76ers team, the (31-8) Chicago Bulls [-7] will keep right on trucking, as they welcome the (23-12) Indiana Pacers [+7] to the United Center tonight. This Eastern Conference Central Division showdown is scheduled to tipoff tonight at 8 PM ET on FSIN and WGN.

With a 5-game win streak, the (30-8) Chicago Bulls [-4] have catapulted themselves to the best record in the league. Another free basketball picks team that has put itself on the map in terms of the Eastern Conference playoffs is the ever-improving (22-15) Philadelphia 76ers [+4]. These two will collide tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, in what should be a very entertaining game.

Since the All-Star game last month, NBA fans around the world have been counting the days anticipating this 2012 NBA picks matchup. As if this weren’t already a great battle on paper, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade certainly added some spice to things.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, will be the site for an interconference showdown between the (28-8) Miami Heat [-3.5] and the (22-14) LA Lakers [+3.5]. This game’s opening tipoff is slated to get underway this afternoon at 3:30 PM ET and it’ll all be broadcasted live on ABC Sports.

2012 NBA Picks LA Clippers vs Phoenix Suns Betting Odds: Trying to keep Kobe Bryant and the Lakers from overtaking the top spot in the Pacific Division, the (21-12) LA Clippers [-8] will look for a win over the (15-20) Phoenix Suns [+8] tonight in the desert. US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ, will be the site for this terrific 2012 NBA picks matchup, which tips off at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN.

With the All-Star Game in our rear-view mirror, teams are ready to begin the second half of the season on the right foot. Two of the most exciting young teams in this league will meet tonight at the Staples Center, as the ever-improving, (17-17) Minnesota Timberwolves [+6.5] visit the 2012 NBA predictions favorites, (20-11) Los Angeles Clippers [-6.5]. This game is scheduled to tipoff tonight at 10:30 PM ET and it’ll be broadcasted live on PRIME and FSNN-MIN.

2012 NBA All-Star Game Picks & Betting Odds: The NBA All-Star game showcases the best the NBA has to offer according to its voting fans. Other than the Olympics, this is the one opportunity basketball fans get to see their favorite NBA players come together and compete as one, in an Eastern vs Western Conference format.

2012 NBA All-Star Game Predictions: The 61st edition of the NBA All-Star game is set to take place this Sunday night live from Amway Arena in Orlando, FL, as the best basketball players in the world will get a chance to showcase their skills in front of the world. The Western Conference will be coached by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Scott Brook’s, while the Eastern Conference will have Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls running the show.