Few people expected the Hornets to make the playoffs this season, much less contend for the Western Conference's #1 seed.

But Chris Paul led the Hornets to a surprising 56-26 record and the second seed.

Paul and the Hornets made quick work of Jason Kidd and the Mavericks but face a different task altogether with the battle tested Spurs.

I'll take the Spurs in six.

Keys for San Antonio

1. Unleash Bruce Bowen

Bruce still doesn't receive the respect he deserves. Does he cross the line from time to time? Yes, but there isn't a finer perimeter defender in the league.

Bowen will be assigned the unenviable task of slowing down Chris Paul in this series. Bruce has done a fantastic job against Nash the previous two seasons. Expect more of the same in this series.

2. Close out on the Hornets sharpshooters

The Spurs are the smartest team in the league. Their rotations are flawless and they follow Popovich's game plans to a 'T'.

Look for San Antonio to dare Chris Paul to beat them by himself through the opening quarters of the series by staying home on Peja, Pargo, and Mo Pete when Paul gets into the paint. Eliminating the catch and shoot opportunities those players thrive upon.

The Spurs are masters at letting one guy get off for a few quarters and then putting the clamps on him in the 4th quarter. By the time that guy is forced to involve his teammates, they're out of sync and rarely deliver.

4. Stop the Paul-to-Chandler alley-oop

Again, I don't think this will be a problem. Duncan and Kurt Thomas don't have Chandler's athleticism but they're smart enough to put a body on him before he can roll to the basket.

I picked the Mavericks to beat the Hornets because I thought J. Kidd would get the better end of his matchup with Chris Paul. I was wrong. Paul did whatever he wanted against the Mavs.

But the Spurs aren't the Mavs. Instead of playing opposite an over-the-hill Kidd, Paul will be facing off against All-NBA defender Bruce Bowen and asked to defend lighting quick Tony Parker on the other end.

Paul will have to have a monster series for New Orleans to advance.

San Antonio didn't let LeBron James beat them last year.

They won't let Chris Paul defeat them this year.

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