NBA playoff preview

Saturday marks the beginning of the NBA playoffs. In an NBA season that has seen the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant collect the most 50-point games in a season since Wilt Chamberlain in the '60s, the Dallas Mavericks challenge the 1996 Chicago Bulls team for best record ever (72-10) and Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash battle it out for MVP, the playoffs look to be as exciting as ever.

With two games or fewer to play for every team, most of the playoff matchups are set.

Western Conference

Dallas vs. No. 8

This series pairs the best team in the NBA, the Mavericks (66-14 as of Monday night) against a No. 8 seed that has been fairly inconsistent all year. The Warriors (40-40) are led predominantly by their terrific backcourt duo in point guard Baron Davis and shooting guard Jason Richardson. They also have a solid frontcourt in Andris Biedrins, Al Harrington and Adonal Foyle, and perhaps have the mental edge, having won both games this season. Other teams that could move into the eighth spot are the Lakers and the Clippers. Don't count on any of these teams beating Dallas, though. The Mavericks are just too talented and too deep.

Phoenix vs. No. 7

For now, it appears that it will be a rematch of last year's terrific series that saw the Suns rebound from a 3-1 series hole to move on against the Lakers. This time around should be just as hard-fought, as Bryant is playing unbelievable basketball and can win games all by himself. This year, though, he has a better supporting cast around him, and if the likes of Lamar Odom and the emerging Andrew Bynum can be consistently solid they will push the Suns. However, with the overall talent and depth of the Suns, it is their seven-game series to lose.

San Antonio vs. Denver

The Spurs (58-23) and the Nuggets (43-37) have been up and down for most of the year. Even though the Spurs have continued their strong run over the past five years, they are no longer the dominant team they once were. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are rising, having won 18 of their past 27 games and feature two of the top scorers in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony (29.1 points per game) and Allen Iverson (24.8 points per game). While the Spurs have more experience playing together in the playoffs, be wary of the duo of the Nuggets and the strong supporting cast that George Karl has around them.

Utah vs. Houston

Utah features a very solid offensive and defensive team led by point guard Deron Williams and first time all-stars Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer. On the other hand, the Rockets feature a tandem of center Yao Ming and guard Tracy McGrady that plays together as well as any other in the league. The key to this series will be how Utah matches up with Ming. So far, so good for the Jazz, who have won two of the three games in the series with the fourth and final being tonight.

Eastern Conference

Detroit vs. Orlando

The Pistons (51-29) have the East's best record and seem to be consensus pick to represent the conference in the finals. Their team is experienced, but also has enough talented players — Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, etc. — that they are a tough team to beat. The Magic (39-42) started out the season hot, faded around the All-Star break and then recently recovered to clinch a playoff birth. Led by all-star center Dwight Howard, one of the more dominant forces in the league, this team is tough to beat when the players around him are able to alter the opposing teams' defensive focus.

Chicago vs. New Jersey

The Bulls (49-32) are proving to be a leading contender to be the East's representative in the NBA Finals. With a strong group of role players and tough defense, the Bulls hold opponents to just 93.6 points per game, sixth best in the NBA. The Nets (40-41), on the other hand, have faded slightly down the stretch and seem to be playing disorganized basketball. If the Nets can win tonight, though, the Wizards will move into the seventh spot. Either way, the Bulls are the easy favorites here.

Toronto vs. Washington

Nobody is hotter in the East than the Toronto Raptors (47-33), who have currently won nine of their past 10 games. They also could draw the best first-round matchup possible in a Washington Wizard squad that will be without their best player, Gilbert Arenas, due to injury. Chris Bosh averages a double-double for Toronto (22.6 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game) while point guard T.J Ford averages nearly eight assists a game. The season series between the two teams was filled with many close games, including an overtime come-from-behind thriller that resulted in a Toronto win.

Miami vs. Cleveland

This might be the most intriguing first-round series of them all, with the defending champs going against Lebron James and the Cavaliers (49-32). The Heat, after having a strong March, in which they started their ascent into the playoff standings, have struggled as of late, but now have guard Dwayne Wade back from his injury. It will be interesting to see if the Heat can come together and have a playoff run akin to last year's. Miami won the season series 3-1, in which every win for the Heat came by five points or less.

Reach reporter Anthony Dion at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.