Key matchup: Bryant vs. Bell. Lakers coach Phil Jackson respects Bell's defensive abilities, but Bryant has no use for Bell. After scoring 51 points in a loss at Phoenix he said, "I've got bigger fish to fry than Raja Bell," he said. "Are you kidding?"

Key matchup II: Lamar Odom vs. Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw. Odom is one of the league's most versatile players, but so are Phoenix's two frontcourt players.

X-factor: Kwame Brown. He may never reach the potential that made him the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, but Brown has had some of his best moments in the league in the second half of this season. The Suns will always give up rebounds and points in the paint, so there's a chance for Brown here.

Little-known fact: Phil Jackson has been an NBA coach for 15 seasons, and his teams have reached the playoffs every time. All of the past Jackson-coached teams have advanced to at least the second round, with nine winning the championship.

Prediction: Suns in 7.

No. 3 DENVER NUGGETS (44-38) vs. No. 6 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (47-35)

Season series: Clippers won 3-1, taking the last three meetings and sweeping a home-and-home series in January by a combined 51 points. Carmelo Anthony averaged 25 points for Denver.

Storyline: The Clippers are back in the postseason for the first time since 1997, and plenty of people think they can even advance. Los Angeles has home-court advantage even though it is the lower seed because it finished with a better record.

Key matchup: Elton Brand vs. Kenyon Martin. Regarded as a tough interior defender, Martin has been slowed this season by a variety of leg injuries. He'll have to be at his best against Brand, who quietly had one of the best seasons in the NBA, ranking among the league leaders in points, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage.

Key matchup II: Anthony vs. Sam Cassell. They won't be matched up against each other, but they are two clutch players who long to take big shots. In a close game, both teams should know where the ball is going down the stretch.