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 Western Conference breakdown Sports Illustrated staff writer Marty Burns breaks down the best-of-five first-round series of the NBA playoffs. Click here for the Eastern Conference. No. 1 Spurs (37-13) vs. No. 8 Timberwolves (25-25) Season series: Tied, 2-2. Matchup to watch: Spurs F Tim Duncan vs. Timberwolves F Kevin Garnett. Two of the NBA's brightest young stars battle it out in what's sure to be the first of many playoff encounters. Spurs win if: C David Robinson and G Avery Johnson don't get locked in the chapel before the game, and SG Mario Elie makes a few shots from outside. Timberwolves win if: PG Terrell Brandon, a free agent after the season, plays like his next contract depends on it, and the T-Wolves can get to the foul line about 30 times per game. The X-factor: T-Wolves SG Anthony Peeler. The streaky Peeler can light it up anytime -- and he'll have to with San Antonio's big men clogging the middle. Prediction: Spurs in four. No. 2 Trail Blazers (35-15) vs. No. 7 Suns (27-23) Season series: Blazers, 3-0. Matchup to watch: Blazers G Damon Stoudamire vs. Suns G Jason Kidd. Can Mighty Mouse outfox Mr. Triple-Double in this battle of ultra-creative, former-Pac-10 point guards? Blazers win if: F Brian Grant's achy knee holds up, and his teammates remember that defense and rebounding are what got them to the playoffs. Suns win if: They can somehow lure Portland into playing Small Ball, and F Cliff Robinson confuses Portland defenders by wearing one of his old red-and-black Blazers headbands. The X-factor: Blazers G Isaiah Rider. Only a huge distraction by this chronic malcontent could derail Portland's bid to snap its six-year string of first-round exits. Prediction: Blazers in four.
No. 3 Jazz (37-13) vs. No. 6 Kings (27-23) Season series: Jazz, 2-1. Matchup to watch: Jazz F Karl Malone vs. Kings F Chris Webber. The Mailman and his stray elbows try to put C-Webb's dream season in a permanent timeout. Jazz wins if: C Greg Ostertag provides any defensive presence in the middle, and they avoid turning the ball over more than 20 times per game. Kings win if: C Vlade Divac gets about 25 points and 15 rebounds per game, and PG Jason Williams suddenly learns how to defend the pick-and-roll. The X-factor: Webber's back. If the sprained sacro-iliac joint that kept him out several games down the stretch flares up again, Sacramento has no chance. Prediction: Jazz in three.
No. 4 Lakers (31-19) vs. No. 5 Rockets (31-19) Season series: Lakers, 2-1. Matchup to watch: Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Rockets C Hakeem Olajuwon . They share the same agent, Leonard Armato, but that's where the similarities end for these two dominant pivotmen with vastly differing styles. Lakers win if: F Robert Horry or PF J.R. Reid can find a way to slow down Houston PF Charles Barkley in the post, and SG Kobe Bryant doesn't try to do it all by himself. Rockets win if : SF Scottie Pippen attacks the basket, and rookie guards Cuttino Mobley and Michael Dickerson don't completely gag under pressure. The X-factor: Rockets SG Sam Mack. Dickerson will start but Mack, a veteran who can knock down big threes, will be on the floor during crunch time. He could be this year's Mario Elie. Prediction: Rockets in four. |
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