Mark J. Terrill / AP

Greetings! Now that the first round playoff schedule has been released, and we gave our take on the X-factors and predictions, lets take a look at the possibility of “upsets” in each series. Let’s get it started!

Eastern Conference

#1 Miami Heat vs. #8 Milwaukee Bucks

I could go on for 1,000 words on this series, but it’s fairly simple. Miami has the best three players in the series, they were the best team in the NBA by six full games this season, and Milwaukee finished the season at 38-44 on the back of a bottom-10 offense. If there is one area where Milwaukee could challenge Miami, it is in the backcourt, as both Jennings and Ellis possess the ability to blow up an opposing defense, but any chance of an explosion from them is likely a one-game-only scenario. In short, the Bucks have no chance.

Upset Probability: 1%

#2 New York Knicks vs. #7 Boston Celtics

Now we’re talking. Two of the league’s signature franchises square off here, and this should be ultra-competitive. New York is the significantly better team on paper, playing with a legit MVP candidate in Carmelo Anthony and a bunch of explosive offensive pieces (read: shooters) around him. For Boston, they match-up very, very well with an offensive-minded team like New York thanks to the efforts of stoppers like Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, and Kevin Garnett. For me, the possibility of a Boston upset in this series comes down to two factors. First, they desperately need full health from Kevin Garnett. They are simply a different team if he is absent/hobbled, and he anchors everything they do defensively while providing 15-18 points in the bank. Secondly, Jeff Green is one of the NBA’s biggest enigmas, but his consistency has improved vastly over the second half of the season, and if he can be the guy that has given Miami fits this season for seven games? Boston immediately becomes a factor.

Upset Probability: 40%

#3 Indiana Pacers vs. #6 Atlanta Hawks

There will be a ton of content about this series in this space (obviously), so I’ll keep this short. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why Atlanta seemingly tanked the final week of the season to line up a series with Indiana. This is not a good match-up for the Hawks. Indiana has an elite wing player in Paul George (something the Hawks don’t want to face), a defensive stopper in the middle in Hibbert (giving Al Horford fits with his size and without Pachulia available), and they finished the season with the league’s best defense. Stop me when I say something positive. Without the benefit of two of their top 7 players (Williams and Pachulia), this is not a match-up where I can see the Hawks really threatening to win 4 out of 7 games. The brightest picture here comes from the fact that Indiana is offensively challenged at times, and if the Hawks can aid them into some bad shots with good defense, it could become competitive.

Upset Probability: 15%

#4 Brooklyn Nets vs. #5 Chicago Bulls

The hanging cloud of Derrick Rose’s absence hangs over this series. With Deron Williams suddenly playing well (averaging 23 and 8 after the All-Star Break), the Bulls are in deep trouble in the backcourt, having to deploy the Nate Robinson/Kirk Hinrich combination. The frontcourt battle between Joakim Noah and Brook Lopez could be a draw, with both guys taking advantage of their strengths, but Brooklyn is certainly the more talented team in the absence of Rose. The positive end for Chicago is their ability to hold the opponent down defensively (allowing a top-5 in the league number of 100.3 points per 100 possessions), but with their offensive issues, I can’t see it.

Upset Probability: 25%

Western Conference

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #8 Houston Rockets

James Harden facing off against his old team is one of the best subplots of the first round this season. With that said, however, the Thunder are head-and-shoulders better than Houston is just about every aspect. Oklahoma City is 2nd in the league in offense (fractionally behind Miami) and 3rd in the league in defense, while Houston fails to maintain that consistency with a #5 offense and a #16 defense. Harden will be keyed on by Sefolosha, and without an absolute explosion from him, the Rockets are in trouble. On the other end, I look for Durant to average 30-35 a night, and Jeremy Lin will have his hands full with Russ Westbrook. The Thunder cruise.

Upset Probability: 10%

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers

Injuries rule the day. For the Spurs, Manu Ginobili will likely miss the entire series while Tony Parker is extremely rusty following his own injury struggles. For LA, Kobe Bryant’s noticeable absence casts a deep shadow, and Steve Nash was unable to play down the stretch of the regular season. San Antonio should be thrilled that the slow, plodding Lakers were able to secure the #7 seed, as they avoid the lively Rockets, and without Kobe, this version of the Lakers simply isn’t a threat to win a series without some help from San Antonio. I believe in Pop, Duncan, and Parker, and despite D’Antoni’s late acceptance of the Dwight/Pau duo, the perimeter play for the Lakers won’t be enough.

Upset Probability: 15%

#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Golden State Warriors

This is going to be a riveting series. It’s generally a good idea to pick the team that employs the best player in the series, but in this instance, the best player (Stephen Curry) is on the underdog. Both teams are top 10 in offensive efficiency and top 5 in pace, so this is the casual fan’s dream of up-and-down basketball with point totals in the 110-120 range every night. Denver isn’t at full strength after the loss of Danilo Gallinari, but with Ty Lawson looking to be close to full strength, they are still the favorite in the series. For the Dubs, they’ll lean heavily on the Curry/Thompson/Lee combo in this series, likely aiming to outscore the slightly short-handed Nuggets. Because they have the firepower, Golden State has a big-time chance at an upset, but with a gun to my head, I’d take the Nuggets.

Upset Probability: 40%

#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies

This series is honestly dead even, with LA becoming a slight favorite on the back of home-court advantage. Each team had identical home/road records this year (and overall, obviously), so it will come down to this for me. Who has the best player in the series? On paper and in my mind, Chris Paul is one of the best 5 players on Planet Earth, and if he plays to his capability, the Clips possess the ultimate weapon. His match-up with Mike Conley is must-see-TV, and he’ll hold the ball in his hands for virtually every crunch time possession. If Memphis has designs on advancing, they’ll need a super-human effort from Zach Randolph, and because we’ve seen him take over a series before, it’s certainly in play. It won’t be the casual fan’s dream, but NBA diehards should love this series, and it’s the best bet on the entire board for a 7-game war.

Upset Probability: 45%

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It hasn’t been long since “March Madness” ended, but the NBA playoffs are a survival of the fittest and “upsets” are hard to come by. Stay tuned for the fantastic action!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Miami Heat vs. #8 Milwaukee Bucks

X-Factor: Dwayne Wade — Is he healthy? It might not matter honestly this series as LeBron could possibly singlehandedly put away this subpar Bucks team.

X-Factor: Monta Ellis – He have it all. He has a propensity to heat up (pun not intended) at any moment, despite his generally poor shooting numbers. He verbally put himself in the same class as D Wade. Can he back it up? Doubtful.

Prediction: Heat in 4. Sorry Bucks fans, not even a gentleman’s sweep, only the clean variety.

#2 New York Knicks vs. #7 Boston Celtics

X-Factor: Jason Kidd — We remember him two years ago hitting threes and locking down perimeter players in the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Championship. Can he sustain that performance at the advance age of 40?

X-Factor: Jason Terry — We also remember him hitting corner threes, pull up threes in transition, and generally any three he felt like taking in that same run. Could he aid Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in pulling the upset?

Prediction: Knicks in 5. The Knicks win a playoff series for the first time in 13 years.

#3 Indiana Pacers vs. #6 Atlanta Hawks

X-Factor: George Hill — He has quietly put together a very solid season after receiving a hefty 5 year, $40 million contract in the offseason. He can stretch the floor to open up room for David West to work down low. Like the Pacers, it won’t be pretty but it will undoubtedly be effective.

X-Factor: Jeff Teague — Is it the return of #PlayoffTeague? He’ll have to put together a series like the one against Chicago two years ago against then reigning MVP Derrick Rose for the Hawks to have a shot in this matchup.

Prediction: Indiana in 7. Sorry Hawks fans. The losses of Lou Williams and Zaza Pachulia will show as there will be extensive Johan Petro use to combat the 7’2” Roy Hibbert. The Pacers are far-and-away the best defensive team, according to defensive efficiency, and the Hawks have few go-to options to get easy points at this stage in the season.

#4 Brooklyn Nets vs. #5 Chicago Bulls

X-Factor: Jimmy Butler — Honestly, with the way Coach Thibodeau doles out minutes, Butler may be crowded out of the playoff rotation in favor of a full 48 minutes of Luol Deng. Still, he’s a tough defender and increasingly lethal offensive player who could bust out and make a huge impact.

X-Factor: Deron Williams — After a brutal first half of the season, he has started to regain his superstar status over the past few months. He should be able to blow by the likes of Kirk Hinrich with ease and lead his team in this deadlocked pairing.

Prediction: Chicago in 7. This is just a fight to get escorted out by the Heat in the next round.

***

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #8 Houston Rockets

X-Factor: Kevin Martin — This is the easiest X-Factor to pick. We know what Durant will bring. We know what Russell Westbrook will bring. Can Martin sustain his efficiency when it matters most? I wager he will.

X-Factor: James Harden — He’s been fantastic all season long, blowing by all expectations set by most NBA onlookers after arriving Houston just days before the first game. He faces his old team and good buddies in Kevin Durant and Westbrook. Could he have something in store as an encore?

Prediction: — Oklahoma City in 6. The Rockets will make it interesting as they are the only team with enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with Durant and the Thunder. Expect some 120-118 games, even at the slower postseason pace.

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers

X-Factor: Manu Ginobili — Is he healthy? He’s been dealing witha nagging hamstring injury and only played 12 minutes in the season finale. If so, the Spurs are a threat to escape the Western bracket. If not, there will be a heavy reliance on Danny Green and Gary Neal to step up in his place and produce. It shouldn’t matter in a first round series without the sometimes unguardable Kobe Bryant but it could be a glaring position of weakness in later rounds.

X-Factor: Dwight Howard — Is HE healthy? If he isn’t, he can’t let it show in order for the Lakers to have a chance. As the de facto leader of the Lakers now, his performance may go a long way to determining his future with the Lakers. In the two games since the Kobe Bryant injury, he has averaged 21 points and 17.5 rebounds per game. If he can return to his 2008-2011 playoff norm, the Lakers will not go quietly in this series.

Prediction: San Antonio in 5. The Spurs are very vulnerable as they are sporting a few untimely injuries but their opponent narrowly grabbed a playoff spot and is lacking its best player. The Lakers will bow out quickly.

#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Golden State Warriors

X-Factor: JaVale McGee — McGee is mercurial but talented enigma who is known across the internet and by TNT’s Actin’ A Fool fans as that actor of boneheaded plays. Still, he can affect games by finishing lobs and altering shots on the defensive end. I would wager he sees more minutes than Kosta Koufos in this run-and-gun matchup.

X-Factor: Stephen Curry — This is Steph’s first taste at the playoffs, leading Golden State in the first season since the “I Believe” Warriors who upset the 1 seeded Dallas Mavericks. Look for Curry to take advantage of the excruciating pace of both team. It should resemble something like a game at the local Y after every player drank a couple of Red Bulls. Curry may break the three point record for a series if that happens.

Prediction: Denver in 7. Denver is too lethal an opponent but I think the Warriors will make it very interesting for the majority of the series.

#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies

X-Factor: DeAndre Jordan — He will be counted on to neutralize the big Grizzlies frontline but has trouble seeing the court in crunchtime because of his free throw shooting woes. Despite starting all 82 games this season, the $10M man has barely average 24 minutes a game, presumably because of foul trouble and the aforementioned free throw shooting. Memphis may resort to a hack-a-Jordan strategy if the going gets tough.

X-Factor: Mike Conley — He has the task of guarding the best point guard in the league. But he’s also known as one of the, if not the, best defensive point guard in the league. He had a head first experience dealing with Chris Paul in this identical series last year; can he do an even better job this postseason?

Prediction: Memphis in 7. This is easily the hardest series to call. Last season, these two were locked in a thrilling 7 game series but this time the Grizzlies will come out on top.

RON ANTONELLI/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

The first round playoff schedule is set!

The Lakers beat the Rockets in the final game of the season Wednesday night to clinch the seventh seed, while Houston slipped to eighth. Utah was fighting for the final spot, but was eliminated after losing to Memphis.

Chicago won at home against Washington to claim fifth place in the East, while Atlanta lost in New York and slid down to the sixth seed.

Without further ado, here are all eight series match-ups with dates and times:

Eastern Conference

#1 Miami Heat vs. #8 Milwaukee Bucks

• Game 1: Sunday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 2: Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV
• Game 3: Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 4: Sunday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
• Game 5: Tuesday, April 30 at TBD
• Game 6: Thursday, May 2 at TBD
• Game 7: Saturday, May 4 at TBD

#2 New York Knicks vs. #7 Boston Celtics

• Game 1: Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on ABC
• Game 2: Tuesday April 23 at 8:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Friday April 26 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 4: Sunday April 28 at 1:00 p.m. on ABC
• Game 5: Wednesday May 1 at TBD
• Game 6: Friday May 3 at TBD
• Game 7: Sunday May 5 at TBD

#3 Indiana Pacers vs. #6 Atlanta Hawks

• Game 1: Sunday at 1:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 2: Wednesday April 24 at 7:30 p.m. on NBATV
• Game 3: Saturday April 27 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 4: Monday April 29, TBD on ESPN
• Game 5: Wednesday May 1 at TBD
• Game 6: Friday May 3 at TBD
• Game 7: Sunday May 5 at TBD

#4 Brooklyn Nets vs. #5 Chicago Bulls

• Game 1: Saturday at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 2: Monday April 22 at 8:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Thursday April 25 at 8:30 p.m. on NBA TV
• Game 4: Saturday April 27 at 2:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 5: Monday April 29 at TBD
• Game 6: Thursday May 2 at TBD
• Game 7: Saturday May 4 at TBD

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #8 Houston Rockets

• Game 1: Sunday at 9:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 2: Wednesday April 24 at 7:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Saturday April 27 at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 4: Monday April 29 at TBD
• Game 5: Wednesday May 1 at TBD
• Game 6: Friday May 3 at TBD
• Game 7: Sunday May 5 at TBD

#2 San Antonio Spurs vs. #7 Los Angeles Lakers

• Game 1: Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
• Game 2: Wednesday April 24 at 9:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Friday April 26 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 4: Sunday April 28 at 7:00 p.m. on TNT
• Game 5: Tuesday April 30 at TBD
• Game 6: Thursday May 2 at TBD
• Game 7: Saturday May 4 at TBD

#3 Denver Nuggets vs. #6 Golden State Warriors

• Game 1: Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 2: Tuesday April 23 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Friday April 26 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2
• Game 4: Sunday April 28 at 9:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 5: Tuesday April 30 at TBD
• Game 6: Thursday May 2 at TBD
• Game 7: Saturday May 4 at TBD

#4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies

• Game 1: Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
• Game 2: Monday April 22 at 10:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 3: Thursday April 25 at 9:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 4: Saturday April 27 at 4:30 p.m. on TNT
• Game 5: Tuesday April 30 at TBD
• Game 6: Friday May 3 at TBD
• Game 7: Sunday May 5 at TBD

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The only real intriguing series in the East has to be the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics. The Knicks have won 10 straight at home and have the league’s scoring champ on the roster, but the Celtics will have the emotional edge as the city of Boston is still recovering from the Marathon bombing. Add in NY’s live-or-die mentality from the perimeter with the Celtics’ playoff experience and you have the makings of an upset. Did I mention KG and Melo hate each other? Getcha honey nut cheerios ready!

The West, meanwhile, is loaded with great story lines. James Harden and his new Rockets team take on his old Thunder squad, the worn down Spurs face off against the suddenly spry Lakers, young guns Denver and Golden State might break a record for points scored in a series, and the showtime Lob City Clippers battle the grit-and-grind Grizzlies.

Can you feel the excitement?

Can’t wait!