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What have we learned:

upsets are never out of the question

By Phil Alexander

On April 28, 2011

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The NBA playoffs will bring the fans exactly what they want, which is close games between great teams.

One of the biggest surprises in the post-season has been the emergence of the New Orleans Hornets. Many experts and analysts believed that the two time defending champions would be able to cruise through this series. Chris Paul has played like the All-Star Point Guard that he is, and whether or not the Hornets win the series, they can look back on it and say they exceed expectations.

Another first round matchup to watch is the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies against the San Antonio Spurs. Even though the Grizzlies are an eight seed in the Western Conference, they have one of the best frontcourts in the NBA with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies have surprised the league by taking a three games to two lead on the Spurs, and had a chance to end the series on Wednesday.

The first-round playoffs series between the third-seeded Boston Celtics and the sixth-seeded New York Knicks was watched very closely by fans of both sides. Most people thought that the defending Eastern Conference Champions should not worry about their early-round matchups, but the Knicks were no slouch. With two All-Star players in Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, this Knicks team played the Celtics close in all games, and had many opportunities to beat the Celtics.

The Portland Trailblazers have been playing their best basketball coming into the playoffs, playing well against the Dallas Mavericks. Many believe the sixth-seeded Trailblazers can knock off the three-seeded Mavericks, but the Mavericks lead the series three games to two. One key matchup to continue to watch in this series will be the power forwards where Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge will be squaring off against each other.

Whether it is an eight seed or a top-seeded team, do not expect an easy series for any team. All of the teams played well enough to make it to the playoffs, so do not expect them to just lie down and lose.