NBA Playoffs

No. 2 Denver vs. No. 6 Dallas

* Season series: Denver, 4-0.

* Buzz: Yes, the team the Lakers swept, 4-0, in last spring’s first round is the one favored to reach the Western finals against them this spring.

Well, at least, they’re in the same uniforms. The Nuggets became a completely different team with Chauncey Billups replacing Allen Iverson, giving them a point guard and a leader who could calm down all their excitable players (Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen).

The Mavericks flew under the radar all year but showed they were good enough to finish off the creaky Spurs.

* Prediction: Unfortunately for the Mavericks, they’re the creaky team in this series, with the Nuggets’ regular-season sweep showing what an advantage Denver’s youth and athleticism are. Denver, 4-2.

-- Mark Heisler