The Western Conference champion Los Angeles D-Fenders, the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NBA Development League playoffs, selected the eighth-seeded Iowa Energy as their opponent in the first round of the 2012 NBA D-League playoffs.
Los Angeles (38-12) and Iowa (25-25) will tip off the 2012 NBA D-League Playoffs in Iowa on Wednesday, April 11, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
For the fourth consecutive year, the top three seeds — the two conference champions and the wild card team with the best regular season record – had the opportunity to select their first-round opponent among the four lowest-seeded playoff teams. The lower-seeded team will host Game 1 of the best-of-three first round, while the higher-seeded team will host Games 2 and 3.
The Springfield Armor (29-21), the No. 2 seed and the Eastern Conference champions, selected the No. 7 seed Canton Charge (27-23). That series will begin on Friday, April 13.
The Austin Toros (33-17), the No. 3 seed, chose the fifth-seeded Erie BayHawks (28-22).
The two remaining playoff teams, the No. 4 seed Dakota Wizards (29-21) and No. 6 seed Bakersfield Jam (28-22), will begin play on Thursday in Bakersfield.
Dates and times for the best-of-three semifinals have yet to be determined and will be announced when they are available. The semifinals will follow the same format as the first round, with the lower-seeded team hosting Game 1 and the higher-seeded team hosting Games 2 and 3, if necessary.
The three-game NBA D-League Finals will follow the same format.