NBA Playoff schedule 2013: Bulls-Heat, Warriors-Spurs open playoff series Monday

The Miami Heat will continue their quest to repeat as NBA champions when they take on the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Heat have been off for over a week awaiting the winner of the series between the Bulls and Brooklyn Nets. Miami swept away the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, while the banged up Bulls improbably took Game 7 on the road in Brooklyn on Saturday night.

Dwyane Wade should be ready to go after sitting out Game 4 against the Bucks due to a bruised knee. The Bulls are still dealing with injury woes, as Luol Deng is out after complications from a spinal tap procedure and Kirk Hinrich is still recovering from a bruised calf.

Over in the Western Conference, the Spurs will open up their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Like the Heat, the Spurs have been waiting a while after sweeping away the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the upstart Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets in six games.

Both teams are dealing with some injuries, with David Lee's being the most notable. Lee made a surprising return to the court against the Nuggets after tearing his hip flexor in Game 1, but he played just over a minute and is unsure what kind of contribution he can make going forward. Stephen Curry has been battling an ankle injury, but that did not limit him much against Denver.

For the Spurs, Boris Diaw is ready to return from a back injury, but Tiago Splitter is doubtful for Game 1 with a sprained left ankle. Tim Duncan is battling an illness, but San Antonio is hoping he will be able to play: