Some great action out west Tuesday night. The Spurs went in to Portland and cooled off the fire hot Blazers 116-111 in OT. Duncan had 36. hopefully this is the beginning of the end for Portland. Also red hot Minnesota, led by Kevin Garnett, beat the division leading Mavs 100-98 behind Wally's buzzer beater. Minnesota is alot better than many people think. And Utah is hanging in, dumping Yao and the Rockets in OT. Kings and Lakers also both won big over Wizards and Nuggets respectively. Only the Suns disappointed, losing to the lowly Clippers in Phoenix. The Suns are a team I can see fading after an over achieving first half.

Hate to disappoint you George but the Blazers and Lakers are the two teams no one wants to face in the first round. They both could knock out Dallas and the Kings early. I agree Phoenix is going to fade but they are talented enough to make the playoffs. The team that's overachieving is Utah. Harpring, that cutie, is playing some fantastic ball but they really are one injury away from oblivion. It will be interesting to see which team is left out of the playoffs when its all said and done. Right now it appears to be Houston, especially is Yao starts to tire. My money is still with The Kings but boy the West is wilder than ever. The only gurantees are the T'Wolves will lose in the first round, the Spurs are just good enough to get swept in the second round and GP is outta there.

Hate to disappoint you George but the Blazers and Lakers are the two teams no one wants to face in the first round. They both could knock out Dallas and the Kings early. I agree Phoenix is going to fade but they are talented enough to make the playoffs. The team that's overachieving is Utah. Harpring, that cutie, is playing some fantastic ball but they really are one injury away from oblivion. It will be interesting to see which team is left out of the playoffs when its all said and done. Right now it appears to be Houston, especially is Yao starts to tire. My money is still with The Kings but boy the West is wilder than ever. The only gurantees are the T'Wolves will lose in the first round, the Spurs are just good enough to get swept in the second round and GP is outta there.