Previews and predictions of the best opening-round line-up in NBA Playoff History
The NBA Playoffs have finally arrived. All the drama of the regular season has ended, and now is the time to seperate the contenders from the pretenders. The Playoffs will begin Saturday with four games, followed by another four on Sunday.The first round of the Western Conference Playoffs is magnificent on paper, and should make for great battles, that could all potentially last seven games.
Suns vs. Spurs - The most intriguing matchup is obviously the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Phoenix Suns. This is quite possibly the most anticipated opening-round match-up in the history of the NBA. This contest has the pedigree for a great championship series. Duncan vs. Shaq and Stoudemire, Nash vs. Parker and Ginobli. This is a superb event, and although the Spurs are the three-seed, have home-court advantage, and are the defending champs, Shaq has dominated the Spurs since his abrupt move to Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire has put up "MVP" type numbers since the trade for Shaq. Although many are considering the Suns the favorite, the Spurs championship experience should play a crucial role in the series. Prediction: Spurs in 7
Hornets vs. Mavericks - This is an interesting match-up for several reasons. First, the New Orleans Hornets coming out of nowhere to capture the second-best record in the conference. Next, Chris Paul turning from a solid guard to an All-NBA caliber guard in one season. The Mavericks took quite a hit when Dirk Nowitzki went down, slipping down the playoff ladder, but Dirk returned in time to save the Mavs from missing the postseason. Several writers and fans don't give the Hornets much of a chance in the playoffs due to their inexperience, and believe the 7-seed Mavs should dismantle them fairly easily. Despite their lack of postseason-experience, the Hornets have been the better team all year, not to mention the Mavs lost in the first-round as the one-seed last season. Prediction: Hornets in 6
Jazz vs. Rockets - No Yao Ming will kill Rockets championship aspirations. Prediction: Jazz in 5
Lakers vs. Nuggets - Denver is talented enough to give the Lakers a tough series, but with recent off-court issues with Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets are ready to pack it in. Prediction: Lakers in 5
Eastern Conference - The only matchup worth mentioning in the East is the Wizards vs. the Cavs. So much has been made of the Wizards and Gilbert Arenas calling out Lebron James, even though the Cavs have eliminated the Wizards each of the past two seasons. The big three of the Wizards will back up their talk, and with a healthy line-up, they are a much better team. Let's see what "King" James is really made of. Prediction: Wizards in 6
