Well, apparently the first game ended up just about the way everyone would have expected, perhaps except couple of frenetic fans from Salt Lake City.

I still root for the Jazz, not only because they are an underdog, but also that I really believe they can do something about this series. About the seemingly convincing first game loss, they have something to say.

First of all, the Spurs is the better team there is no doubt about that. Come playoff time about this time around the conference finals, experience is about to kick in. The entire San Antonio team are filled with veteran leaders while Deron Williams, the point guard that the Jazz rely on so much, is only about a rookie. This is going to be a huge factor throughout the series.

No.2, Spurs got home court, so they played the first one at home. And every team in this league, including the Spurs themselves, knows how hard it is for them to get beat on their own floor. SO the first loss isn't unacceptable.

No.3, as much as people talk about energy, from my experience, the team that had to play through more games always came out vitorious in the first game against the team that got about a week's rest and are just getting a little bit rusty.

With that being said, look for this to be a seven game closely contested series. And I do think the Jazz can win. THe only thing they have to do is to make sure Duncan doesn't get too comfortable. Give him a little size from Memo, a little muscle from Boozer, a little hustle from Milsap. Just make him work on the offensive side enough to slow down his defense. If you slow down the anchor of defense on a great defensive team, you have a good chance to win. DOn't worry about giving him 30 points a game, make sure you don't give him too many double teams that he passes the balls out for open threes by Finley and such, that is the killer. Don't have to go up and contest his shots, he's too tall and long. Just keep a solid body underneath and try to shake him, keep a hand in his face and always, keep your feet under you, he hurts you more when he gets an offensive rebound than when he gets two points. give him 30 and 5, don't allow him 20 and 15 and 5. Also, he is too good for a single player. Throw everyone on him, disrupt his rythm. Just like any other good low post player, he is a lousy free throw shooter, foul him if you have to and make him earn it from the line. If the Jazz can do that, they don't have to worry about Parker and Genobili, they are going to win.

Good Luck, Jazz, achieve what John and Karl didn't achieve, for the title. I'm behind you.

Looks like there are not that much left to predict for the second round.

Eastern is all set, Piston's veterans are giving the calves a little something to learn, Cleveland's offensive rebounding might just to too much for J-Kidd and V-Sanity to handle. As it was, the suspense all lies within the west.

Spurs stole one in Pheonix, but Suns are not going to let through. If Nash continues to play the way he play, and somehow Thomas can find a way to keep doing the things he did in Game 2 on Timmy-D, the Suns might just have enough to seek their revenge for what happened two years ago. Steve Nash is still the MVP. Looks like Shawn Marion is giving Tonny Parker everything he can handle. Look for the Spurs to run some pick and rolls to involve Tonny Parker with Steve Nash, because they can't let him easy by letting him stay on Bowen. They have to make him work on D.

  Looks like Dallas is to be thanked for by the Jazz. I am giving the Jazz green light to pass through the West. Now, Warriors are not beating them, reason: The hastling points that were detrimental the first round for the Warriors are now all going to the Jazz because they fight, they are physical and more importantly, they are quick. Carlos Boozer has had about fourty rebounds in the first two games, riding the tide he had against Yao. If he continues to do that, there is no way the warriors are getting even one game from them. Besides, a team is a playoff team iff it has a playoff coach, which explains why the Mavs are not successful in the playoffs not only this season but last season as well. The same rule applies. Nellie lead the Oaklandfans to their ecstasy because he knows every single thing about Avory, and Avory is green when it comes to playoffs. Jerry Sloan is another story. With their pick 'n roll run to perfection, this Jazz team plays very systematically. That prevents the Warriors from their chaotic style, which is undoubtedly all why they win. Besides, this Jazz team is so mentally tough, esp. with what happened to Fisher. I think they are a resilient team and can take the Warriors in at most five games, because they are not going to lose at home and definitely going to take at least one in Oakland. Good luck Warriors, you have served your time.