How deep is the NBA’s Western Conference?  Their 6th, 7th and 8th-seeded teams all tied with the same regular season record (52-30) as the Eastern Conference’s 4th-seed (the Boston Celtics).

The East may have had the teams with the best two records overall, mainly because Orlando and Cleveland were able to feast on a diet of inconsistent teams all year.  Competing in the West on a nightly basis would have undoubtedly put a few more blemishes on their resumes.

So, who’s playing who in the first round?

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Oklahoma City Thunder

Los Angeles Advantages - Their bigs are much more skilled and trustworthy in big game situations.  Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom – particularly Gasol and Bynum – are ridiculously skillful seven-footers.  Kobe Bryant may have a chip on his shoulder to prove that he (not LeBron) is still the best player in the league.  I don’t think he’ll have to whip out his best against the Thunder, though. 

Oklahoma City Advantages - I mean this in the most respectful way…Russell Westbrook will embarrass the heck out of Derek Fisher.  If OKC desires to have any open field goal attempts, Westbrook needs to pound the ball into the teeth of the Laker defense.  This is just about the one and only true mismatch that the Thunder have in their favor.  But the good news is that it is a big one.  And if Scott Brooks devises his gameplan appropriately, Phil Jackson will probably go to his bench to tab either Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown.  Farmer would struggle a bit, but I could see Brown locking down Westbrook fairly well.  Durant will be Durant, but I don’t think he’ll be able to control the game like he has against inferior teams.

Bottom Line:  Ah, the benefits of being a top conference seed.  The Lakersare the only Western Conference team who will breeze through the opening round.  The Thunder have certainly taken a leap forward this season, and to keep moving ahead they’ll have to address their lack of interior strength and talent.  L.A. will also have a higher basketball IQ at every position on the court.

San Antonio will try to keep "The Jet" from taking flight.

#2 Dallas Mavericks vs. #7 San Antonio Spurs

Dallas Advantages - Caron Butler, A.K.A. “Tough Juice,” has shined since his trade to the midwest.  He has a complete offensive game that complements Dirk’s finesse scoring ability.  Jason Terry is lightning quick, has a nice handle and will not miss a shot when he’s got it going.

San Antonio Advantages - As long as he keep his uniform on, George Hill has the potential to be a real problem for the Mavericks.  He can burn guards that are slow afoot (just ask Derek Fisher).  Staying in the San Antonio backcourt, a rested and healthy Tony Parker could make headlines in this series.  Manu Ginobiliis going to give one of the Dallas defenders a serious headache with his constant movement and helter-skelter offensive repertoire that is uniquely unguardable.   

Bottom Line:  This series has the makings of a seven-gamer.  My gut tells me that Dallas will pull it out because of their home court advantage, but the Spurs should by no means be considered an underdog.  Duncan, Ginobili and Parker are multiple-time NBA champions whose skills have not noticeably diminished. 

#3 Phoenix Suns vs. #6 Portland Trail Blazers

Phoenix Advantages - Amar’e Stoudemire is a weapon.  The Trail Blazers had better be careful about throwing Cambyon him because he would probably get the veteran in some quick foul trouble.  Also, with Brandon Roy out, I’d consider running a double point guard lineup at times.  Backup PG Goran Dragic had his best game of the season against Utah (32 points back on January 25),  and I think that having two players who can start up the offense effectively could be very beneficial for a team that wants to keep the tempo up.  If the Trail Blazers don’t have a mobile defender on Channing Frye, he will make them pay from the three-point line. 

Portland Advantages - Andre Miller will post up Steve Nash.  We’ll see if the post-ups can generate baskets or open looks for his teammates.  If Camby is able to roam the middle – and not have to guard Stoudemire one-on-one – he could wreak havoc on the Suns in the interior.  Portland will need to maximize the point production that it can get from LaMarcus Aldridge.  He’ll need to get touches in the post to create a game speed that Nate McMillan will be comfortable with.

Bottom Line:  The Suns have been a more consistent team, and they rarely experience scoring droughts.  Nash and the gang will move on without much of a challenge with Roy on the shelf. 

Can Williams do enough to propel the Jazz to a series win over the higher-seeded Nuggets?

#4 Denver Nuggets vs. #5 Utah Jazz

Denver Advantages - Andrei Kirilenko may try his best, but he can’t handle Carmelo Anthony.  ‘Melo began the season amidst lots of MVP talk.  Due to coach George Karl’s battle with cancer, the Nuggets have had to endure more instability than other teams.  But Anthony is ready for the playoffs.  He was probably ready to go for another round immediately after they lost to the Lakers in the Conference Finals last year.  And how does J.R. Smith fit into the picture?  He’s an advantage one night, and clearly a disadvantage the next.     

Utah Advantages - Deron Williams is the best point guard in the NBA.  There, I said it.  Better than Nash. Better than Paul.  And sorry Chauncey…but he’s also much better than you.  Paul Milsap and Carlos Boozer will get the best of whomever is manning the inside for Denver.  They know who to position themselves for rebounding on both ends of the floor.

Bottom Line:  Again, another tough call.  Although they haven’t played well in the face of Karl’s situation, I see the Nuggets moving on.  While Billups is not the best point man in this series, he can still make the correct play in close games.  If Carmelo has to carry his team on his back to get to the second round, he will.

More NBA Playoff Analysis – Eastern Conference Preview