The NBA playoffs start Saturday. Here are the first round matchups:

EAST

#1 Detroit vs. #8 Milwaukee
#2 Miami vs. #7 Chicago
#3 New Jersey vs. #6 Indiana
#4 Cleveland vs. #5 Washington

WEST

#1 San Antonio vs. #8 Sacramento
#2 Phoenix vs. #7 LA Lakers
#3 Denver vs. #6 LA Clippers
#4 Dallas vs. #5 Memphis

There is a severe dropoff in the quality of the East once you get past the top four teams, so I think the first round will go according to plan on that side of the bracket. Washington probably has the best chance of all the lower seeds to win the series, but I think LeBron will lead his team to the second round.

The West is a lot more dicey. The Grizzlies, Clippers, Lakers and the Kings are all capable of pulling a first round upset and I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of those teams in the second round. The top of the West is not as dominant as it once was and I really think Sacramento, who has won 19 of their last 27, has a great shot to beat the Spurs. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are banged up and they will have their hands full with Ron Artest, Mike Bibby and Brad Miller.

The Suns have only won 11 of their last 21, so they aren’t playing their best ball right now. That said, they rested Nash a bit towards the end, and went 7-3 in the last ten games he played. Phoenix hopes to force the Lakers into an up-tempo game where they hold a distinct advantage in firepower. I think Kobe will win a couple games on his own, but the Suns should advance.

With the screwy seeding system, the #6-seed Clippers actually hold home court advantage over #3-seed Denver. What’s the point of seeding if the lower seeded team gets home court? This should be an interesting series, but I think LA holds the advantage, despite a lackluster finish to the season.

Dallas is better than Memphis, but the Grizzlies are deep and feisty and should take a couple games in the series. If they find a way to contain Dirk Nowitzki, they will have a shot, but the big German has gone for 28/9 in the four games against Memphis this season, so I expect he’ll have a big series.

For a complete playoff schedule, click here.