Wade Watch: HEATcast: Everything You Need to Know About the 2012 Playoffs Before They Start

A blogger, podcaster and tweeter joined the Miami Heat Index to analyze and predict everything you need to know about the 2012 NBA Playoffs before it happens.

Podcast Details
Podcasters: Miami Heat Index, Alfredo Arteaga, Big Shot Ron and Pheana Winfield the Queen of HEAT News
Recorded: April 27th, 2012 at 7:15 PM ET
Duration: 1:17:15
How to Listen: Play the audio embedded below, download the mp3 or subscribe to iTunes

Companion Reading
The podcasters discussed the articles listed below during the HEATcast.

2012 NBA Playoffs Schedule
First Round Playoff Preview by Alfredo Arteaga for HeatFreak.com
Is Time on the Side of Miami or Oklahoma City?
Everything You Need to Know About the 2012 Season Before It Happens

Predictions Through the Finals

Here's how the podcasters predicted the 2012 NBA Playoffs will turn out...

Eastern Conference 1st Round

Alfredo:

#1. Bulls over #8. 76ers in 6 games
#5. Hawks over #4. Celtics in 7 games
#3. Pacers over #6. Magic in 5 games
#2. HEAT over #7. Knicks in 5 games

Big Shot Ron:

#1. Bulls over #8. 76ers in 4 games
#5. Hawks over #4. Celtics in 7 games
#3. Pacers over #6. Magic in 6 games
#2. HEAT over #7. Knicks in 4 games

Queen of HEAT News:

#1. Bulls over #8. 76ers in 5 games
#4. Celtics over #5. Hawks in 6 games
#3. Pacers over #6. Magic in 4 games
#2. HEAT over #7. Knicks in 6 games

MHI:

#1. Bulls over #8. 76ers in 5 games
#5. Hawks over #4. Celtics in 7 games
#3. Pacers over #6. Magic in 5 games
#2. HEAT over #7. Knicks in 5 games

Eastern Conference Semifinals

Alfredo:

#1. Bulls over #5. Hawks in 6 games
#2. HEAT over #3. Pacers in 4 games

Big Shot Ron:

#1. Bulls over #5. Hawks in 5 games
#2. HEAT over #3. Pacers in 4 games

Queen of HEAT News:

#4. Celtics over #1. Bulls in 7 games
#2. HEAT over #3. Pacers in 5 games

MHI:

#1. Bulls over #5. Hawks in 7 games
#2. HEAT over #3. Pacers in 5 games

Eastern Conference Finals

Alfredo: #2. HEAT over #1. Bulls in 6 games
Big Shot Ron: #2. HEAT over #1. Bulls in 6 games
Queen of HEAT News: #2. HEAT over #4. Celtics in 7 games
MHI: #2. HEAT over #1. Bulls in 6 games

Western Conference Playoffs

Alfredo:

West Semis: #1. Spurs over #4. Grizzlies and #3. Lakers over #2. Thunder
West Finals: #3. Lakers over #1. Spurs

Big Shot Ron:

West Semis: #4. Grizzlies over #1. Spurs and #2. Thunder over #3. Lakers
West Finals: #4. Grizzlies over #2. Thunder

Queen of HEAT News:

West Semis: #1. Spurs over #4. Grizzlies and #2. Thunder over #3. Lakers
West Finals: #1. Spurs over #2. Thunder

MHI:

West Semis: #1. Spurs over #5. Clippers and #2. Thunder over #3. Lakers
West Finals: #2. Thunder over #1. Spurs

NBA Finals

Alfredo: HEAT over Lakers in 6 games
Big Shot Ron: HEAT over Grizzlies in 5 games
Queen of HEAT News: HEAT over Spurs in 6 games
MHI: HEAT over Thunder in 5 games

Must See Playoff Games

The playoffs will span Mother's Day, Memorial Day, graduations and Father's Day. Below is a list of games fans should schedule their dinners, cookouts and parties around or set their DVRs to record.

Alfredo's picks:

HEAT vs. Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 3rd and May 6th
Grizzlies vs. Clippers from April 29th to May 13th
Bulls vs. Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semis (TBA)

Big Shot Ron's Picks:

Grizzlies vs. Clippers from April 29th to May 13th
Bulls vs. Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semis (TBA)

Queen of HEAT News' Picks:

All HEAT games from April 28th thru June 26th (if necessary)
Grizzlies vs. Clippers from April 29th to May 13th
Bulls vs. Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semis (TBA)

MHI's Picks:

HEAT vs. Knicks from April 28th to May 9th
Grizzlies vs. Clippers on April 29th and May 11th
Games 1 & 2 of Spurs vs. Clippers in Western Conference Semis (TBA)
Games 1, 3 & 4 of Thunder vs. Lakers in Western Conference Semis (TBA)
Games 1 & 5 of HEAT vs. Bulls in Eastern Conference Finals (TBA)
Game 1 of Spurs vs. Thunder in Western Conference Finals (TBA)

Biggest Impact Player Acquired for the Playoffs

There was a lot of white noise around the trade deadline this season, but which move will have the biggest impact on the playoffs?

Alfredo: Chris Paul
Big Shot Ron: Ramon Sessions
Queen of HEAT News: Chris Paul
MHI: JaVale McGee (it won't be a positive impact)

Twitter Will Blow Up When...

...The biggest moment of the playoffs takes place. What will that moment be?

Alfredo: Kobe Bryant hits the game-winner to eliminate the Thunder in Game 6 at Staples Center.
Big Shot Ron: Grizzlies eliminate the Clippers, Vinny Del Negro gets fired and Phil Jackson gets hired to coach Lob City.
Queen of HEAT News: Metta World Peace takes the court in Game 7 vs. OKC and all hell breaks loose.
MHI: Kevin Durant wins MVP and faces LeBron James in the Finals.