Image by joeduty via FlickrWho advances, and who is going home early? Eastern conference
- (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
The Cavaliers' biggest obstacle in this series could be rust.
Player to Watch: O'Neal. Shaq has been out since February with a torn ligament in his thumb.
- (2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats
The Magic are planning on a return trip to the Finals.
Player to Watch: Vince Carter. The Magic acquired Carter hoping he'd make them a more dangerous playoff team.
- (3) Atlanta Hawks vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
This series would be a lot more interesting if Milwaukee hadn't lost center Andrew Bogut to a grisly arm injury two weeks ago.
Player to Watch: John Salmons has been an outstanding addition to the Bucks' lineup since coming over from the Bulls.
- (4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat
The most intriguing first-round matchup in the East pits a Boston team that has faded badly down the stretch against one of the hottest teams of the second half. Boston's once-mighty defense has clearly lost its mojo.
Player to Watch: Ray Allen isn't a take-over-the-game threat any more, and Kevin Garnett's health is always a question mark.
Western conference
- (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
Lakers coach Phil Jackson gave this series a little extra juice when the Zen Master complained about Kevin Durant's frequent trips to the free-throw line last week.
Player to Watch: Ron Artest will be the player tasked with slowing down Durant. Let's see if he can live up to his reputation as one of the league's best defenders.
- (2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs
Spurs coach Gregg Popovic opted not to dress Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobili for the season finale against the Mavs -- even though a win could have moved San Antonio into the six seed -- raising the question, "Is this the matchup San Antonio wanted?"
Player to Watch: Ginobili is the guy who makes the Spurs go.
- (3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland Trailblazers
The Suns are the league's best run-and-gun team. The Blazers play physical, grind-it-out halfcourt basketball.
Player to Watch: If Brandon Roy can play at anything approaching his usual level, this series will be a lot tougher for the Suns.
- (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Utah Jazz
The Northwest Division rivals finished with identical 53-29 records, but Denver gets the higher seed and division title courtesy of their 3-1 record against the Jazz this season.
Player to Watch: With both Carlos Boozer (rib) and Andrei Kirilenko (calf) nursing injuries, there will be a lot of pressure on Paul Millsap to produce for the Jazz.
http://basketball.about.com/od/nbateams/tp/nba-playoff-matchups.htm
