Here is a look at the matchups in the NBA Western Conference playoffs:

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1. Los Angeles Lakers (57-25) vs. 8 Denver Nuggets (50-32):

Season series: Lakers, 3-0.

Buzz: With the Lakers sweeping the Nuggets by an average of 16 points without Pau Gasol in any of them, there's no getting away from who's favored. The Nuggets, No. 2 in offense, are built for speed but don't have the outside shooting (No. 19 in three-point accuracy). The Lakers are built to control tempo, socking the ball inside to Gasol or (perhaps one day?) Andrew Bynum. Happily for the Nuggets, they got better shooting in April with J.R. Smith averaging 16 points off the bench. Unhappily, Carmelo Anthony was arrested on suspicion of driving intoxicated within hours of clinching their playoff spot, adding public scorn to their list of problems.

Schedule (Eastern times): Sunday — Denver at Lakers, 3 p.m.; Wednesday — Denver at Lakers, 10:30 p.m.; April 26 — Lakers at Denver, 5:30 p.m.; April 28 — Lakers at Denver, 10:30 p.m.; April 30 — Denver at Lakers, TBD-x; May 2 — Lakers at Denver, TBD-x; May 4 — Denver at Lakers, TBD-x.

x-If necessary.

2. New Orleans Hornets (56-26) vs. 7 Dallas Mavericks (51-31):

Season series: 2-2.

Buzz: The Hornets' reward for their incredible season was another first-round matchup none of the top-seeded teams was looking forward to, against the Mavericks. Not that the Mavericks ever became as good as people thought they would with Jason Kidd. After a l-o-n-g break-in period, Dallas put it together, beating the Suns in Phoenix and the Jazz in Dallas ... before losing in Portland and, yes, Seattle. The Hornets lack size, depth and experience but with cool little Chris Paul, who went one-on-one with Kobe Bryant in the MVP race at 22, they'll be ready on day one.

Schedule (Eastern times): Saturday — Dallas at New Orleans, 7 p.m.; Tuesday — Dallas at New Orleans, 7 p.m.; April 25 — New Orleans at Dallas, 8 p.m.; April 27 — New Orleans at Dallas, 9:30 p.m.; April 29 — Dallas at New Orleans, TBD-x; May 1 — New Orleans at Dallas, TBD-x; May 3 — Dallas at New Orleans, TBD-x.

x-If necessary.

3. San Antonio Spurs (56-26) vs. 6 Phoenix Suns (55-27):

Season series: Phoenix, 3-1.

Buzz: In the West nightmare everyone dreaded, it was the defending champion Spurs who won 56 games, finished third and awoke to find themselves matched with the Suns. The Suns won 15 of their last 20, going from small to imposing with Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire, who averaged 29.6 points alongside O'Neal. The Spurs are experienced to a fault with one starter, Tony Parker, under 30. They're banged up too, with Brent Barry having played only four minutes since returning, and Manu Ginobili back after sitting out three of the last four games with a groin injury. Without home-court advantage, the Spurs wouldn't even be slightly favored and if they lose one of the first two, look out.

Schedule (Eastern times): Saturday — Phoenix at San Antonio, 3 p.m.; Tuesday — Phoenix at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m.; April 25 — San Antonio at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.; April 27 — San Antonio at Phoenix , 3:30 p.m.; April 29 — Phoenix at San Antonio, TBD-x; May 1 — San Antonio at Phoenix, TBD-x; May 3 — Phoenix at San Antonio, TBD-x.

x-If necessary.

4. Utah Jazz (54-28) vs. 5 Houston Rockets (55-27):

Season series: Utah, 2-1.

Buzz: Careful what you wish for. The Rockets fell back to Earth after their 22-game winning streak, becoming the team everyone wanted to play ... before going on a late six-game winning streak that included a win over the Suns, the team no one wanted to play. The Rockets still defend (No. 4) and with newcomers such as Luis Scola and Carl Landry, they have a deep supporting cast for Tracy McGrady, still seeking his first win in a playoff series. The Jazz, last season's West finalists, can score (No. 5). Utah started 16-16 but finished 38-12 behind the successors to Karl Malone and John Stockton, Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams.

Schedule (Eastern times): Saturday — Utah at Houston 9:30 p.m.; Monday — Utah at Houston, 9:30 p.m.; Thursday — Houston at Utah 10:30 p.m.; April 26 — Houston at Utah, 10:30 p.m.; April 29 — Utah at Houston, TBD-x; May 2 — Houston at Utah, TBD-x; May 4 — Utah at Houston, TBD.

x-If necessary.