Saturday marks the start of the 2011 NBA playoffs, and there are all kinds of games, from battles for respect to David and Goliath matchups, to keep an eye on.
1. David vs. Goliath
No. 1 Bulls vs. No. 8 Pacers
Michael Jordan's spirit is invoked at the United Center, as the Bulls have over 60 wins for the first time since His Airness last wore the red, black and white. The Bulls also have the league's best record, which has always led to a championship for the Windy City. Add in Derrick Rose coming off an MVP-caliber regular season, and there are powers and stats at work that the Pacers probably can't overcome. Indiana lost the season series 3-1, one game by a whopping 21 points.
No. 2 Heat vs. No. 7 Sixers
Games like this should be illegal. It's similar to beating up on someone half your size, who has a head cold, with their hands tied behind their back. It's just not fair. The Heat, the only team in the league ranking in the top five offensively and defensively, swept the season series with the 76ers and are likely do the same thing this postseason. Although the games were pretty close, largest margin of victory 10 points, the Heat should stretch that out in playoff mode. The Sixers will have to put regular-season results behind them if they intend to be competitive.
No. 1 Spurs vs. No. 8 Grizzlies
The Spurs have won three of the last 10 NBA titles. Conversely, the Grizzlies are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and looking for the first franchise postseason win. The Grizzlies could sneak that win in during Game 1, as Spurs guard Manu Ginobili went down with an elbow sprain Wednesday and is doubtful for the opener.
2. Flipping the switch
No. 3 Celtics vs. No. 6 Knicks
Whatever the sport, these two cities are like oil and water with a little Spike Lee buzzing around. Stars Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce rested the last two regular-season games in preparation for the postseason. Big man Shaquille O'Neal is also back. He missed 33 games since Feb. 1 due to injury. For the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups have been resting too to get ready. These teams should be ready for playoffs.
No. 2 Lakers and No. 7 Hornets
Lakers star Andrew Bynum gave fans a scare Tuesday, when he hyperextended his knee playing against the Spurs. But look for Bynum, and his bone bruise, to play in Game 1. Lakers forward Matt Barnes will also return after missing two games due to pain in his surgically repaired knee. Worry struck Los Angeles as the Lakers went on a five-game skid before winning the last two of the season. Will they be able to flip the switch to championship mode? The Hornets hope not.
3. Underdog races
No. 4 Magic vs. No. 5 Hawks
After losing a close game to the Bulls, Magic guard Jameer Nelson, feeling cocky, approached Derrick Rose and said, "See you in the second round." Word got back to the Hawks, who weren't happy that Nelson dismissed them in the first round. Nelson should have checked the box scores before making the bold prediction, as the Hawks won the season series 3-1. Although the Magic are dishing out disrespect, they also feel they haven't received any respect in return. Two teams searching for respect in the postseason should make for an exciting matchup.
No. 3 Mavericks vs No. 6 Trail Blazers
Teams around the Western Conference had their eye on the Mavericks as an easy opponent to breeze past in the first round. The Mavericks got wind of this and are pulling the underdog card even though they're the top seeded team in this matchup. The Trail Blazers directed no disrespect toward the Mavs, but they may suffer from the aftermath.
4. Testing trades
No. 4 Thunder vs. No. 5 Nuggets
This postseason, the Nuggets and Thunder test the effectiveness of their midseason trades. Denver traded franchise players Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to New York and didn't miss a beat, going 18-7 since the trade. A young Thunder squad got a bit older but more competitive, trading Nenad Krstic and Jeff Green to Boston for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. The Thunder ended the season on a 5-1 run, while the Nuggets struggled to close out at 3-3.
5. Savor it
With CBA negotiations at an unfavorable pace and the Las Vegas summer league possibly cancelled, postseason basketball might be the last of the NBA we see for a while. After one team raises the Larry O'Brien trophy in June, the only matchup that will matter is the league against the players in the boardroom or courtroom. Therefore, even if your team doesn't go all the way, savor every alley-oop, no-look pass and two-handed jam --hardwood action could disappear for a while.
