NBA Playoffs 2011 Are Set!

"Win or go home," says the ad campaign from Turner Sports. The slogan Turner had for the NBA playoffs the past few years.

So now, we have the NBA playoffs and some interesting first round matchups.

In the West, the World Champ Lakers have the top seed, but keep an eye out on the Mavs. The Mavs, whose only NBA Finals appearance was in 2006 (lost in 6 to the Heat), could possibly be the only team in the West that could be tough competition to the Spurs or Lakers in the playoffs.

Speaking of the West, despite CP3 bouncing back from the injury suffered earlier this year, the Hornets are back in the postseason for the first time since '07-08. They also had some attendance problems, and the club will stick in NO for more years. It'll be a tough task for them in the first round, as they take on the Lakers.

The Grizzlies are back in the postseason as the 8th seed against the Spurs.

In the East, it's all about Da Bulls. Da Rose. Are they for real this year? Is the formula that worked in the '90s with Jordan, Pippen, etc. is catching up to this young club? What will we see from the '10-11 Bulls this year in the postseason? Stay tuned.

Just like the Grizzlies in the west, in the East, the Pacers and Knicks both return to the playoffs for the first time in eons. Takes us back to the '90s to an intense rivalry between both clubs.

So to recap the conference quarterfinals...

WEST quarterfinals
(1) Spurs v (8) Grizzlies begin 4/17
(4) Thunder v (5) Nuggets begin 4/17
(3) Mavericks v (6) Blazers begin 4/16
(2) Lakers v (7) Hornets begin 4/17

EAST quarterfinals
(1) Bulls v (8) Pacers begin 4/16
(4) Magic v (5) Hawks begin 4/16
(3) Celtics v (6) Knicks begin 4/17
(2) Heat v (7) Sixers begin 4/16

It all begins this Saturday (4.16). So tune in for the games on NBATV, TNT, ESPN, ABC, and probably the RSN's.

Where will amazing happen this year?