Experts' picks for Hornets-Heat, Blazers-Suns and first-round matchups

The Hornets and Blazers are facing significant uphill battles against the Heat and Suns respectively, with both matchups likely to be decided by the superior depth and star power of their opponents. In the NBA, teams with a top-10 offensive and defensive rating have historically dominated playoff series, a benchmark neither Charlotte nor Portland currently meets. Watch for how the star players on Miami and Phoenix assert their dominance early and if the underdog teams can generate any sustained momentum.