I've been busy laying the groundwork for our NFL magazine this weekend, so I picked only a couple NBA games to watch. I figured Houston-Portland would be a close game on Saturday (plus I cover the Rockets) and then on Sunday, I wanted to watch Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups match up.

Of course, both games were total blowouts, and I wound up flipping to Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7- Part II during the fourth quarter of the Hornets/Nuggets. The other game I wanted to watch but didn't have time for was the Hawks-Heat blowout.

And I missed Derrick Rose lighting up the Celts and the 76ers taking down Orlando.

As disheartened as I am by the playoffs, especially this year (both with the key injuries and the fact that seven-game series make upsets less likely), it's good to see things not go to form. The idea of a Cavs-Lakers final being a foregone conclusion is boring, and I'd love to see one of them upset. It would also be funny if the Cavs had merely to beat the Pistons, Hawks and winner of the Bulls-Sixers.

As for the Lakers, I think their toughest test will be Houston (assuming Houston wins the Portland series).

Incidentally, I'm riveted by the Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7 episodes. The more I watch, the more I think Pacquiao is going to own him because Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather, Sr. seems to be living vicariously through Hatton in a way I'm not sure is optimal. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddy Roach seems selfless and focused by comparison, and, of course, Pacquiao is faster and has fought better competition (except for Floyd, Jr. who knocked Hatton out).

I'll be rooting for Hatton though because (a) he's the underdog, and (b) because if he were to win, you have to think they'd try to set up a rematch between the Floyd, Sr.-trained Hatton and Floyd, Jr. (Father and son are not on speaking terms). But I wouldn't bet on Hatton (Hatton is +200, Pacquiao -260).

One other funny thing about the series is that Floyd, Sr. is so yoked, even at 56 he looks like he could get into the ring against Pacquiao. He might even be more yoked than Lieutenant Daniels from The Wire - another person in unreasonably good shape for his age.