(AP) - A look at the matchups in the second round of the NBA playoffs, which begin Saturday (with regular-season record, first-round series mark in parentheses):
No. 2 DETROIT PISTONS (59-23, 4-2) vs. No. 3 ORLANDO MAGIC (52-30, 4-1)
Season Series: Tied, 2-2, with Orlando snapping Detroit's 10-game winning streak with a 104-99 victory at The Palace of Auburn Hills in the first game after the All-Star break. Richard Hamilton averaged 21.7 points and shot 58 percent from the field in three games for the Pistons, who scored 100.5 points per game against the Magic. Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard all averaged at least 17 points for the Magic.
Storyline: Swept by Detroit in the first round last year, here's a chance for the Magic to show how far they've come -- and end the Pistons' quest for a sixth straight conference finals appearance. The Magic got a huge first-round series from Howard, who averaged 22.6 points and 18.2 rebounds, with three 20-20 games. He'll need to be just as good on the boards, because the Pistons outrebounded the Magic by an average of eight per game during the regular season.
Key Matchup I: Tayshaun Prince vs. Turkoglu. Prince, the Pistons' top individual defender, will get a chance to slow the winner of the NBA's most improved player award. Turkoglu averaged 19.5 points against the Pistons but shot only 41 percent. Prince contained Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala in the first round and also had a terrific series offensively, scoring 16.3 points per game on 66 percent shooting.
Key Matchup II: Chauncey Billups vs. Jameer Nelson. Nelson had an excellent first-round series against Toronto's point guard tandem of T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, averaging 17.2 points on 52 percent shooting. Though Billups wasn't particularly sharp in the first round, he's a big step up in competition, and his strength can give Nelson trouble.
X-Factor: Keith Bogans. Besides having to chase Hamilton around screens, Bogans will try to offer something on the offensive end. He made 15 of 20 shots against Detroit this season, but struggled badly with his shot in the first round.
Prediction: Pistons in 6.
No. 2 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (56-26, 4-1) vs. No. 3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (56-26, 4-1)
Season Series: Tied, 2-2, with both New Orleans wins coming in blowouts. The Hornets sent a loud statement they were a contender with a 102-78 victory in San Antonio on Jan. 26, and later beat the Spurs 100-75 at home. The Spurs limited the Hornets to 87 points per game in the other two games. Chris Paul averaged 14 assists in the Hornets’ two wins, 5.5 in the losses.
Storyline: Both teams had surprisingly easy first-round victories, but this should be a competitive series between the up-and-coming Hornets and the defending champion Spurs, who have never made it beyond the second round in any of their three previous title defenses. New Orleans won the tiebreaker to earn the Southwest Division title and home-court advantage for this series.
Key Matchup I: Paul vs. Tony Parker. Two of the NBA’s speediest point guards, who expertly work the pick-and-roll and can get to the basket against almost any defender. The Spurs frequently used Bruce Bowen to defend Steve Nash in the first round, but Paul probably has too much foot speed for the Spurs’ 36-year-old defensive ace. Parker, a better scorer, averaged 29.6 points in the first round. Paul went for 24.6 points and 12.0 assists.
Key Matchup II: Peja Stojakovic vs. Bowen. Stojakovic was a sizzling 17-of-28 (61 percent) from 3-point range in the first round while averaging 15.8 points. Bowen, a physical perimeter defender, will try to make sure Stojakovic doesn’t get too comfortable.
X-Factor: Jannero Pargo. Gave the Hornets 14.6 points per game in his reserve role against Dallas, either spelling Paul or playing together in the backcourt to help them quicken the pace. Combined with Bonzi Wells and Julian Wright, he gives New Orleans an edge in athleticism off the bench.
Prediction: Spurs in 7.
