The Lakers have been swooning down the stretch, just like last season, and enter the postseason with more doubts. The Mavericks have been a first round exit three of the last four years. The Spurs have struggled to defend down the stretch and needed the Laker's swoon to clinch homecourt in the West. The Thunder and Nuggets look poised to upset someone, but first they have to play each other in what may be the first round's marquee matchup in either conference.
While the favorites are all capable of winning each series, the potential upsets are present in most of the matchups. One thing's for certain though, and that is that these matchups should be drama filled and, in most cases, close.
So here's my look at each matchup and my predicted winners.
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