Sixers open playoffs Saturday

The Sixers don't know yet whether they are playing the Chicago Bulls or the Miami Heat in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs, but they know Game 1 will be Saturday (time, TBA).

The Sixers and Knicks are tied for the seventh seed in the East entering the final day of the regular season. The Sixers play tonight in Detroit and the Knicks are in Charlotte against the Bobcats.

The Knicks own the tiebreaker, so wins by both teams or losses by both teams mean the Knicks are the seventh seed. The Sixers can only be the seventh seed if they win and the Knicks lose.

The Sixers are seemingly banking on playing the Bulls. Coach Doug Collins said before last night's win in Milwaukee that the coaching staff is focused on preparing for the Bulls.

Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand did not make the trip with the Sixers for the final two games. Lou Williams was on the bench in street clothes last night and is expected to see limited action tonight.

The Knicks beat the Clippers last night, but Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire played 28 minutes apiece and were not on the court in the final moments when the Cippers had trimmed the lead.

With a win, the Bobcats will avoid having the lowest single-season winning percentage in NBA history. That mark currently belongs to the 1972-73 Sixers.

The league announced the schedules for the opening game in all eight playoff series.

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia/OR/New York at Chicago, Saturday, April 28

New York/OR/Philadelphia at Miami, Saturday, April 28

Orlando at Indiana, Saturday, April 28

Boston at Atlanta, or vice versa, Sunday, April 29

Western Conference

Utah at San Antonio, Sunday, April 29

Dallas/OR/Denver at Oklahoma City, Saturday, April 28

Denver/OR/Dallas at L.A. Lakers, Sunday, April 29

L.A. Clippers at Memphis, Sunday, April 29

OR Memphis at L.A. Clippers, Sunday, April 29