The first round of the 2001 NBA Playoffs begins on Saturday. Here is what you had to say about the Western Conference matchups:

Spurs vs. Timberwolves
I think that Minnesota could pull off an upset against San Antonio. They could steal one on the road and sweep it at home or even split at home and win game 5 in San Antonio. The reason why I think so is because Minnesota is a great jump shooting team and San Antonio is going to be more effective on the boards and in the lane. If they could possibly find a way to limit the twin towers to about 45 points combined then I say it will be an upset and it will be Minnesota against Dallas or Utah in round 2.

Reuven Giter
St. Paul, Minn.

I think the Timberwolves will match up well against the Spurs. They always play the Spurs tough. The Garnett-Duncan matchup is always a thrill to see. Garnett plays his best games against Tim Duncan. If the Minnesota centers can be even a little productive and can contain David Robinson and Duncan, the Wolves should do very well. If Anthony Peeler gets on a hot streak hitting the three-pointers, which he usually does in the post-season, it will be an interesting series.

Carrie Donais
Embarrass, Minn.

My team is the San Antonio Spurs. (I lived there for 9 years.) They will undoubtedly win the first round against the T-Wolves. The Spurs should sweep, but Minnesota might be able to pull out one win. I believe this Spurs team is even better than the one in '99.

Brent Unger
Nashville, Tenn.

Spurs in 3. Lets face it, the Spurs are the best team in the NBA. I would have picked the Spurs in four, but I just read what coach Saunders had to say about how Minnesota will win, and how the Lakers are the best team in the league. Hey Flip, nice job. Just what the Spurs needed, a little extra motivation against your team. The Spurs will win the title in a five game final series.

Jeremy Johnson
College Station, Texas

Kevin Garnett has openly said the Timberwolves will win the first round series against the Spurs and coach Flip Saunders said the Wolves will win both games in San Antonio. I don't think it's so smart on their part because the Spurs don't need any more motivation to win this series. Get ready to break out the brooms, baby. Spurs in 3!

Neilesh Verma
San Antonio, Texas

Trailblazers vs. Lakers
My team is the L.A. Lakers. I know they'll win the series in five games, if they do happen to steal a game in Portland. Please keep those brooms handy. Because were coming together at the perfect time. Please get those back-to-back tee shirts ready.

Freddie Acres
Dallas, Texas

The Laker's series will be a competitive one, but they should prevail in 4 games. The Trailblazers need to steal one of the first two games in LA or else this will be a sweep. LA just needs to continue playing the way they have the past two weeks and they'll be fine. I have the utmost confidence in them. See you in the Finals.

Clarence E. Dupree
Dearborn

Well my team is the Los Angeles Lakers. I believe that they have the hardest opening series in the playoffs this year. Portland might have been inconsistent during the season, but as we all know the playoffs are a whole other story. I take my team, the lake show in 5.

Gus Gomez
Anaheim Calif.

Blazers v. Lakers? I know Portland CAN win, they have proven they can beat the Lakers, but WILL they? I don't know, I guess the odds are no, but I am going to root blindly for them anyway. Go Blazers!

Jason
Portland, Ore.

The Trailblazers will take the series in 4 against the Lakers, no matter what the"experts" are saying. It is playoffs time and I think that playing the Lakers in the first round instead of a 7 game series is the "best thing that could have happened to them". You'll see. Go Pip!

Jean Luc Pierre-Louis
Malden, Mass.

Suns vs. Kings
The Kings have completed their most successful season in franchise history. Not only can they dominate at home, but they can also win on the road. Chris Webber is having an MVP type season, and Sacramento's defense, ranked 27th last year, is now 14th. I see the Kings playing well against the Suns, powering the ball inside with Webber and Divac. Doug Christie's energy on the other side of the floor and the bench playing well with John Barry back in the line-up has the Kings winning their first round series 3-1. Go Kings!

Chris Lorenzo
Sacramento, Calif.

I think the Suns drew a great matchup with the Kings. Although the Kings took the season series 3-1, the games were all close. In fact the Kings largest margin of victory came from a 28 point comeback. The Suns, however have a victory over the Kings fresh in mind and with Jason Kidd playing at his high level, should give the Kings trouble. Especially because they have a wide variety of power forwards to throw at Chris Webber.

Jeff Valeriano
Reading, Pa.

I think that the Sacramento Kings will take it over Phoenix in four games. The Kings are a team that plays well when they feel that "they are on a mission". The Kings mission this year is to get past the first round and they should do that without too much trouble.

Kim Boylan
Sacramento, Calif.

If they give more minutes to Jason Williams, then the Kings will sweep Phoenix in the first round. If Bobby Jackson gets more playing time then the Suns might win a couple, but still lose to the Kings.

Brandon Thomas
Mason City, Iowa

I think the Sun's have an excellent chance of upsetting Sacramento in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Kings have proved in the past they are not quite ready to stay in the playoffs for the long haul, and I don't think this is the year they are going to break out. Led by Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion, the Suns are sizzling, and if they play up to their potential the Kings will be dethroned. Bring on the Lakers!!!

George Allen
Berkeley, Calif.

The Kings will win against the Suns in convincing fashion because for the first time all year, you know all 12 of them will be focused, and when they focus and play hard, they can beat anyone. They just need to come out of this series quickly, so they're better off vs. Los Angeles in Round 2.

Alex Le Fevre
Centreville, Va.

Mavericks vs. Jazz
If Dallas can steal one of the first two games in Utah, then the Mavericks will take the series in four. If they can't steal one of the first two, then they will win game 5 in Utah. We have an incredible amount of confidence against Utah, and over the last month or so, Utah has seemed very vulnerable.

Ronnie Weaver
Dallas, Texas

My Jazz have not played well these last few weeks, however this a new season and the Jazz know playoff basketball. The Jazz will beat the Mav's in 4! However, Bryon Russell, Donyell Marshall, and Greg Ostertag are key if they do not play well the Jazz will be going home early in the second round again! John Stockton and Karl Malone can not do it themselves anymore and should not have too! It is time for Marshall and Russell to step-up or go home! It would make my year, decade if those two warriors could shut-up critics by making another amazing run of 15 more wins!

Leonard Hayes
Knoxville, Tenn.

The Jazz will be a very tough team to play if Donyell Marshall and Bryon Russell get out of their recent slump...but if not it will be a very long first round. With them playing well we could win the title, with them not playing well we will lose in the first round.

Nate Hutchinson
St. George, Utah

I hope the Mavericks can beat the Utah Jazz, but in these games in the season in which the other teams played tough playoff basketball, Dallas lost it (Portland and Utah in Dallas!). The playoff experience of Dallas starters is not enough. John Stockton will play Jojo with Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki can't defend Karl Malone. So I guess it will end 3-1 for Utah, but I'll hope a little bit.

Timo P. Kroke
Homburg, Germany

Dallas will be a tough matchup for the Jazz. But I think Utah has what it takes to get past what is an inexperienced playoff team. Donyell Marshall will be the key, and John Starks, although he has struggled all year will bring intensity and invaluable playoff experience with the Knicks. The wildcard could be Deshawn Stevenson, although just 19 he could be unleashed if Starks is struggling, and will get to the line or make a sweet pass that is unstoppable in the air. Of course, if Malone and Stockton struggle, none of this will matter. Jazz in 4

Matt
Melbourne, Australia