5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Mavs at Hornets

Playoffs are here. You've read the zillion previews going over the main stuff about this game, including our most recent masterpiece on the game. But what about the little things (that kill) so to speak? Here are five things to focus on during Mavericks vs. Hornets.

1. Spring The Trap: The Mavericks happened upon something I hadn't seen a team do against the Hornets this season. They immediately trapped Paul on the perimeter with the strong side. If Chris Paul has any weakness, it's his size. By forcing his passing lanes away from West and Chandler, the Mavs made an inconsistent (this year) Peja Stojakovic and Mo Peterson the primary scorers. Needless to say, that did not end well for the Hornets. The only cost is bringing either Dirk Nowitzki or Bass off of West to trap, which can burn you. If Avery Johnson is able to effectively pull the perimeter defenders to trap Paul, they can limit CP3's effectiveness.

2. The Assassin Versus Dirkalicous: David West's versatility is a key factor in the Hornets' offense. They need him to be able to produce. Dirk has been tremendous since coming back from the injury. The Mavs need him to be the Man he's been. This could very well be the best player on player matchup in the playoffs. West's post game has improved as the season has progressed, but Dirk's touch is amazing combined with his size. This should be a clinic on both sides.

3. Size Matters: Tyson Chandler has used his length and athleticism to obliterate teams this season. Erick Dampier has quietly turned into one of the most productive big men in the league. Paul to Chandler has been ridiculous this season on the alley-oop. That's going to be rough against Dampier. The Hornets are going to have to force Dampier out of the block on the pick and roll, or he's going to keep Chandler in a very quiet role.

4. Is The Stack Attack Back?: Jerry Stackhouse has barely played over the last three weeks with a (yes, you guessed it) groin injury. He's taken a lot of time off to rest, but he's obviously ready to roll in the playoffs. The Mavs need him for three point shooting, but also they need to rely on him for experience. The Mavs have a huge advantage in that area, and it's important that the veterans take a leadership role to avoid the same kind of disasters that ... ahem ... happened last year.

5. Now Or Never: The Hornets' bench has quietly improved towards the end of the season, after being the biggest question mark on this squad for the majority of the season. If they're going to put it together, now would kind of be a good time. Jannero Pargo and Bonzi Wells are going to have to put in quality minutes on both ends of the floor. The Mavericks are much deeper with Bass, Stack, and Lue. One player to watch is rookie Julian Wright for the Hornets. If he can put in a few key plays, it could go a long way in helping the Hornets slash to the basket.