(1)San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Utah Jazz
The Spurs In: Despite numerous injuries that hounded the team all season long, the Spurs got back on track and into their winning ways, rendering the "DND-Old" discussion moot. In their last few games, Tony Parker has been leading the pack with those split-second drives and pinpoint passing, eventually giving opportunities for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to set themselves on fire as well. Plus, the role players, with the addition of Boris Diaw, Stephen Jackson, and Patrick Mills, also provided additional firepower on both ends. With a very dominant team like this, a deep penetration of the playoff tree is a must, considering that Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are on their way to retirement after a few more years.
The Jazz In: Who says that the team's playoff appearances are over after Deron Williams' departure? Apparently, the Jazz backcourt have also established themselves pretty well. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson constructed their own walls and weapons within the shaded area, and reserve rookie Enes Kanter can hold that fort for them. This dominance puts the pressure upon Devin Harris and the rest of the backcourt to keep up with the Jazz's bigs. Coach Tyrone Corbin surprised everyone by sealing the eight place, but would they be surprising enough to get past the first round?
What could be: The Jazz are going to be feisty and irritating, but consistency will win it all for San Antonio. Spurs in 6.
(4) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
The Grizzlies In: Thanks to the Clippers falling out in the closing games of the season, the Grizzlies have now returned to the playoffs with their first home court advantage in years. Most of their power comes from the young ones, and they have the dominant ones like Marc Gasol, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay to prove it. But then, one should not easily dismiss the impact and influence that veteran(s) Zach Randolph (and Gilbert Arenas?) has (have) to these kids. Once they play perfectly like they did in last year's playoffs, then fans of the Clippers, the Spurs, and even the Jazz ought to be very scared of them.
The Clippers In: Just about time that they are about to close in on the Pacific Division lead, it was then that they fell short, even letting go of the number 4 spot which they previously had a firm grip on. It was on those games that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin failed to close out games, somehow proving the point of the doubters that Staples Center not donned in purple and gold will remain nothing but Lob City. Will getting deep into the playoffs remain to be a far cry for Chris Paul, as far as the distance from the charity stripe to the hoop is for Blake Griffin?
What could be: Experience is key for Memphis, and if they can tap into that, then Paul and Griffin would need to pack their bags and think of something else outside the walls of Lob City. Grizzlies in 7.
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
The Thunder In: One can say that Kevin Durant and his team can be excused for the Laker loss, most probably because World Peace took a toll an James Harden. But then, this is just part of the bigger picture, one where the Thunder failed to win against playoff teams in their last few games. Also, they have given up on what could have been a home court advantage all through out the playoffs. But of course, Durant's third scoring title and Westbrook's huge improvement in playing the point says otherwise.
The Mavericks In: The Mavericks have swallowed their bitter pill in this season, perhaps due to the hangover from the party that was so 2011. First, they lost in the Tyson Chandler bid, who went to the Knicks after winning a ring. Second, they found themselves in a slump until the middle of the season, which questioned their ability to repeat or at least make it deep into the playoffs. And third, they did not receive the former Sixth Man of the Year, but just a player who felt very bitter after a canceled trade. Now as an team of veterans facing a bunch of agile kids hungry for a title, the Mavericks might need to regain their hunger for another title.
What could be: One word: domination. Durant and Westbrook would prove to much for the Mavericks, and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Serge Ibaka will get his biggest playoff break ever. Thunder in 6.
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Denver Nuggets
The Lakers In: Even though they are still in the rebuilding process, the Lakers have shown that they can still be dominant. Andrew Bynum has finally emerged out of his shell, and the acquisition of Ramon Sessions added something that was clearly lacking during the past seasons, namely a competitive and agile point guard ready to run with the other members of the Purple and Gold backcourt. In the last few games, the Lakers have performed considerably well, playing decently even with Kobe in the stands and assisting Mike Brown with coaching duties, and in his return, beating the dominant Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime, despite losing big to the San Antonio Spurs twice in the span of a week. In fact, momentarily losing World Peace might not be too much of an issue for them, as long as Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks enter the court ready to defend anyone and score when given the opportunity to do so.
The Nuggets In: To place a bunch of guys whose brand of basketball is sheer teamwork in the sixth place would be underrating them. Coach George Karl had his own problems with his teams, especially with injuries, in this season, and yet they still have managed to clinch a playoff berth in the post-Carmelo Anthony era. And of course, winning would depend on Danilo Gallinari, with role players Kenneth Fareid, the experienced Al Harrington, and Ty Lawson, who perhaps will be their most important piece against a Lakers team that would prefer half-court sets than fastbreak baskets on the defensive end.
What could be: The playoffs bring out the inner strength of the Lakers, and we will see how dominant Andrew Bynum can be when Kobe and Gasol play at their best. Lakers in 6.
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