NBA Playoff Schedule 2011: TV Times For Thursday’s Games

Thursday marks the first dip into Game 3s for the 2011 NBA Playoffs as venues change and the combatants dig into “must-win” territory. We have three games on Thursday, two from the East and one out West. The full schedule and our usual Excitement And Intrigue Power Rankings are below.

Bulls at Pacers, Game 3: 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
Bulls lead 2-0
Chicago has struggled in this series, to the bewilderment of most. But one win on Thursday can all but seal victory and allowed the Bulls to breathe easier and wait for the Hawks-Magic winner.
Series Hub | Indy Cornrows | Blog-a-Bull

Heat at 76ers, Game 3: 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
Heat lead 2-0
Miami’s the only team in the league -- other than perhaps Dallas -- who can say it’s had two convincing wins in the first round. The Heat slaughtered Philadelphia in Game 2, and if the Sixers can lull Miami into a string of bad jumpers, it’s hard to see how they’ll really compete.
Series Hub | Liberty Ballers | Peninsula Is Mightier

Mavericks at Blazers, Game 3: 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Mavericks lead 2-0
Dallas hasn’t exactly coasted against a deep Portland team, but the games have been decided before the final minutes. Will a change of scenery to the madhouse Rose Garden change the results?
Series Hub | Blazer’s Edge | Mavs Moneyball

1. Mavericks-Blazers

2. Derrick Rose vs. Paul George

3. Miami’s transition game.

4. Thaddeus Young.

5. The final five minutes of Pacers-Bulls.

6. Will Leslie and Ben smile at each other on Parks and Rec?

7. The rest of Pacers-Bulls.