Dissecting the First Round of the NBA Playoffs: Part II

Utah Jazz (48-34) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (65-17)

Regular season series matchup: Lakers (2-1)

Upset potential: Unlikely

X-factor: Jazz home-court

Matchup Analysis

The Jazz will be tough to beat in their home arena, so the Lakers will be tested early in these playoffs.

The point guard matchup is strongly in favor for Utah, so if they can exploit the matchup, maybe the other players on the Jazz can take advantage. Otherwise, this series looks to be over in five games.

From Utah's perspective, Jerry Sloan is arguably the best coach never to get a ring.

Carlos Boozer is a free agent this summer, but the tough economy may force him to stay in Utah for another year and try the market next year.

There is also a possibility the Jazz may trade him for some perimeter help, as Millsaps emergence has made Boozer expendable.

From LA's perspective, the Lakers have their eyes on the gold and anything less would be a devastating disappointment. They will inevitably meet Lebron in the finals and, as I said in part one, no player's legacy has more at stake than Kobe's.

New Orleans (49-33) vs. Denver Nuggets (54-28)

Regular season series Matchup: (2-2) tie

Upset potential: High

X-factor: Tyson Chandler

Matchup Analysis

Tyson Chandler's health is in question coming into the playoffs, and the Hornets will need him at 100 percent to deal with Denver's strong front line. 

The team's are quite evenly matched and this should a fun series for a number of reasons. Let me list them:

1. David West and Kenyon Martin in a series. Someone is going to get hurt.

2. Chris Paul against Chauncey Billups. Two of the top clutch point guards and leaders in the NBA.

3. The defensive-minded James Posey against the offensive-minded Carmelo Anthony.

From Denver's perspective, they have to win.

The Nuggets have continually been outed in the first round, year after year, but they now have an opportunity to play against an opponent that is not vastly superior. To top that, they have their best team in years, and they also have home-court advantage.

From New Orleans perspective, Chris Paul and David West may be the two best players in the series; don't forget that West made it on the all-star team over Carmelo this year.

They have a lot to prove and a first round exit would almost certainly lead to major changes in the lineup. Already a rumor has filtered through the Internet involving a Shaq and Chandler swap.

Prediction: New Orleans in 6.

Because I'm in a hurry, I'll give my quick prediction for the other two series.

Portland will beat Houston in five games.

The X-factor in that series will be Yao Ming. If he can be a reliable go-to guy at the end of the game, the Rockets may upset the Blazers.

Finally, I pick San Antonio to beat Dallas in seven games.

X-factor: Dirk/Jason Terry.

The Spurs' defense should cause Dallas some problems, like always, and Tony Parker will have a big series.