Teams jock for position as playoffs near

Alright, the NCAA had its moment for hoops. Now it’s time for the big boys of basketball.

The NBA playoffs kick off Saturday and the best of the west and the beasts of the east are set to make the road to the Finals a memorable one. But can this year’s first round action top last year’s?

One intriguing matchup is the Texas showdown between Dallas and San Antonio. The two teams faced off in the season finale with the Mavericks prevailing and snagging the season series 3-1.

Okay; all of the numbers point to ‘Big D”, but don’t sleep on the seasoned Spurs. Even with the league’s oldest lineup with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and a recovering Tony Parker, this series will be no cakewalk. Pop and the boys in black and silver preach defense and can last in games when they’re having a poor shooting night.

On the other hand, it seems almost like Dirk and his squad never have a poor shooting night. The 11-year veteran was 7th in scoring with 25 big ones a game. Mid season signees, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood didn’t hurt the cause either with 16 and 9 points per game, respectively.

Sleeper Teams
They’re youthful, feisty, and did I mention young? The Oklahoma City Thunder are a force to be reckoned with out west and are led by the league’s top scorer, Kevin Durant. Every game, the guy proves why he is not only one of the best scorers in the league, but one of the best players period.

Although the Hawks are one of the best teams in the league, many do not consider them legitimate contenders. With Jamal Crawford coming of the bench and Joe Johnson at the helm, the boys out of ATL will breeze by Milwaukee and maybe even sneak by Orlando and Cleveland. We’ll see.