Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets Western Conference First Round Game 3 Game Preview

Tonight at 8:30pm on ESPN, the Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22) take on the Houston Rockets (45-37) in a Western Conference First Round Game 3 matchup in Houston. OKC enters Game 3 on a two game winning streak after beating Houston 105-102 on Wednesday. Houston went on a 21-2 run only to be answered by a 12-3 run in the final three minutes to give the Thunder a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each had 29 points. Westbrook was fouled by Patrick Beverley in the second quarter, tearing his lateral meniscus in his right knee. It will require surgery and he will miss the remainder of the postseason. Durant was the runner-up in the scoring title race, ending his three year reign atop the catigory. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks won his first scoring title. Durant led the team in scoring at 28.1 points per game. Houston enters their first home playoff game on a four game losing streak dating back to the regular season. In Game 2, James Harden had a pair of postseason career-highs with 36 points and 11 rebounds. He was fifth in the NBA in scoring this season with 25.9 points per game. He played for the Thunder for his first three seasons in the league. This should be a classic postseason game in the Western Conference. Look for the Rockets to get back into this series and take advantage of the Westbrook injury with a big win tonight.

Pacers at Hawks Eastern Conference First Round Game 3 Game Preview

Tonight at 6pm on ESPN, the Indiana Pacers (49-32) take on the Atlanta Hawks (44-37) in an Eastern Conference First Round Game 3. The Pacers hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 game series. Indiana comes into this game after defeating the Hawks at home on Wednesday night 113-98. The Pacers shot 47 percent from the field and outrebounded the Hawks 47-41 to go along with just 10 turnovers. Paul George was named the KIA NBA Most Improved Player this past week and is also the leading scorer for the Pacers at 17.4 points per game in the regular season. He had a triple-double in Game 1 and followed that up with a 27 point performance in Game 2. Atlanta enters their playoff home opener after losing their last four games of the regular season and playoffs. Devin Harris had a team-high 17 points in the Game 2 loss. Josh Smith led the Hawks in points per game this season with 17.5. These teams met four times during the regular season, with each team winning two at home. Look for the homecourt advantage of the Hawks to get them their first win of the postseason and put them right back into this series.

Warriors at Nuggets Western Conference First Round Game 1 Game Preview

Today at 4:30pm on ESPN, the Golden State Warriors (47-35) take on the Denver Nuggets (57-25) in a Western Conference First Round Game 1 matchup at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Golden State earned the 6 seed in the playoffs this season by beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night 99-88. Stephen Curry, the team's leading scorer at 22.9 points per game, broke the all time single season three point record of Ray Allen in the win for coach Mark Jackson, a former ESPN NBA Analyst. Denver received the 3 seed by dispatching Phoenix 118-98 on Wednesday. Ty Lawson leads the team in points with 16.7 per game for coach George Karl. These teams met four times during the regular season, with Golden State winning three of them. This should be a very fun series to watch as both teams want to get out and push the ball up the court. Look for the homecourt of Denver to get the win for the hometown Nuggets in Game 1.

Celtics at Knicks Eastern Conference First Round Game 1 Game Preview

Today at 2pm on ABC, the Boston Celtics (41-40) take on the New York Knicks (54-28) in an Eastern Conference First Round game at Madison Square Garden. This is game one of a best-of-seven series between the 2 seed Knicks and the 7 seed Celtics. The Knicks finished the regular season by winning 16 of their final 18 games. They took care of Atlanta 98-92 on Wednesday night to finish off the season. Carmelo Anthony, the 2012-1013 NBA Scoring Champion, led the league with 28.7 points per game for coach Mike Woodson. These teams met four times during the regulars season and the Knicks won three of those meetings. The Celtics enter the 2013 Postseason after losing in Toronto on Wednesday night 114-90 to end their regulars season. Boston is coming off an emotional week after the Boston Marathon Bombings in which their Tuesday night tilt against the Indiana Pacers at the TD Garden was canceled. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with an average of 18.6 points per game for coach Doc Rivers. This should be a fun series to watch starting with this game. Look for the hometown Knicks to open up the playoffs with a win in front of their home crowd at the Garden.

9 Wichita State vs. 2 Ohio State West Regional Final

Tonight at 6pm on CBS, the 9 seeded Wichita State Shockers 29-8 (12-6 Missouri Valley) take on the 2 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes 29-7 (13-5 Big Ten) in a West Regional Final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. After taking down Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, and La Salle, the Shockers are vying for their first trip to the Final Four since 1965. The latest win in a string of victories came in an impressive 72-58 Sweet 16 victory over La Salle on Thursday night. It was a dominating showing by the Shockers after they led by 16 going into the second half. Point guard Malcolm Armstead led WSU with 18 points. Cleanthony Early is the team leader in points with 13.7 points per game. Ohio State earned another thrilling finish Thursday night after defeating Arizona 73-70. LaQuinton Ross drained a long three with under three seconds remaining to give the Buckeyes the win. Last Sunday, Aaron Craft nailed a three with 0.2 seconds left to give them the victory over Iowa State. DeShaun Thomas leads the team with 19.7 points per game. This should be a great matchup between the point guards Malcolm Armstead and Aaron Craft. Look for the Buckeyes to come out with an impressive win and march onto the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

4 Syracuse vs. 3 Marquette East Regional Final

Today at 3:30pm on CBS, the 4 seeded Syracuse Orange 29-9 (11-7 Big East) take on the 3 seeded Marquette Golden Eagles 26-8 (14-4 Big East) in a East Regional Final at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. The Orange earned the right to play in the Elite 8 by defeating 1 Indiana 61-50 on Thursday night. The attacking zone of the 'Cuse held the Hoosiers to a season low 50 points. Point guard Michael Carter-Williams led the team with 24 points. They led 34-22 after one half and held on for the win. C.J. Fair leads the team with an average of 14.4 points per game for coach Jim Boeheim. Marquette received the chance to be in the Elite 8 with a 71-61 upset over 2 Miami (FL) on Thursday night. The Eagles' stingy defense held the Hurricanes to just 21 percent shooting in the first half and 1 of 9 from behind the arc. Jamil Wilson led the Eagles with 16 points off the bench in the win. Vander Blue, the team's leading scorer at 14.8 points per game, chipped in 14 in the win for coach Buzz Williams. This should be a great game when these two teams meet for the last time. When these two teams met on February 25 in the Bradley Center, Marquette hung on for 74-71 home win. I think that 'Quette will come out on top again as both teams look for their first trip to the Final Four since 2003.

WIAA Division 1 Germantown vs. Mukwonago Final Game Preview

Tomorrow at 8:15pm, the Germantown Warhawks 27-0 (14-0) take on the Mukwonago Indians 23-4 (12-2) in a WIAA Division 1 State Championship game. Germantown, the defending state champions, have the chance to defend their title after beating Oshkosh North 80-60 tonight. They were in complete control throughout the entire game. Jake Showalter tied the state record for made three pointers in one game with seven. He finished with 21 points. Luke Fischer, an Indiana recruit, scored 32 points to lead all scorers. Lamonte Bearden also scored in double figures with 13 points. Fischer leads the team in scoring this season with an average of 21.4 per game. Mukwonago is playing in the state championship game after beating Milwaukee King 64-47 tonight. They also led throughout the game and were led by Nate Tanguay and Dominic Cizauskas. Cizauskas had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Point guard Aaron Nixon played well under the pressure of King, and was able to get to the free throw line at will. Cizauskas leads the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game. This should be an exciting game, but I think Germantown will run its winning streak to 56 games and bring home its second consecutive gold ball.