Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead: Mavs Ousted, More Playoffs

Looks like picking the Mavericks to sweep the Thunder in my attempt to jinx the defending champs worked after all.

OKC defeated Dallas in a series that was so much closer to 4-0 leads one to believe. Frankly, the Mavericks could have won games 1, 2, and 4 just as easily as the Thunder. But James Harden went superhero last night and Tyson Chandler didn't walk through the door to save the Mavs from impending doom.

The Spurs are also doing work on the Jazz. Up 3-0 and in total control, it looks like another sweep unless the Jazz fight back and take game 4 despite showing no real intensity in any fourth quarter of the series.

As for today's games, the Bulls take on the Sixers in Philly sans D-Rose and Noah, who twisted his ankle on a fast break. Those are the injuries I hate seeing, and I think anyone who has ever sprained/twisted an ankle will understand how difficult it is to watch those replays.

The Heat look to sweep the Knicks in New York today. Too bad this doesn't make the Knicks pick worth any more.

I don't know what to make of Atlanta and Boston. The Celtics won game 2 without Rondo, but almost blew game 3 at home. Atlanta has enough to beat the Celtics without Ray Allen, but will they?

Finally, the Lakers and Nuggets go at it in game 4 in Denver. The saying goes, "A playoff series doesn't really start until a road team wins a game," which is why this series hasn't gotten much press yet I guess.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Are the Thunder now clear West favorites? Do the Lakers and Spurs hold the edge? Can anyone stop the Heat? Let us know in the comments.