Tim Duncan is 4-2 in six playoff series' against Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs./NBA.com.

(1) San Antonio Spurs (62-20) Vs. (8) Dallas Mavericks (49-33)

Tale Of The Tape

Points Per Game: Spurs 105.4 (6th In NBA), Mavericks 104.8 (8th In NBA)

Rebound Per Game: Spurs 43.3 (12th In NBA), Mavericks 40.9 (26th In NBA)

Assists Per Game: Spurs 25.2 (1st In NBA), Mavericks 23.6 (6th In NBA)

Points Allowed: 97.6 (6th In NBA), Mavericks 102.4 (20th In NBA)

Season Series

The Spurs dominated Dallas during the regular season, going 4-0 against the Mavericks.

Players To Watch:

Spurs-Tim Duncan: Duncan has had yet another brilliant year. He’s averaging 15 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. His limits have also been limited throughout the year, as Gregg Popovich tried to keep him fresh for the playoffs. That strategy clearly worked, as no Spur played over 30 minutes per game on average, and now the Spurs can unleash Duncan at precisely the right time. That’s a sobering thought for Mavs fans.

Mavericks-Dirk Nowitzki: It’s a testament to Dirk that a team that relied on a resurgent Monta Ellis to handle the ball for much of the 2013-2014 season is in the playoffs at all. Dirk averaged 21.7 points per game on the season, and really turned it up as the Mavs made their playoff push. He’ll have to reach another level if the Mavericks want to contend with the Spurs, but anything is possible with Dirk.

READ MORE: 2014 NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview, Part 1

Prediction:

The Spurs are the first team since the NBA/ABA merger to not have one player averaging 30 minutes a game. They are fully healthy, loaded with talent, and have quite possibly the best coach in NBA history running things in Popovich. They flew under the radar en route to the NBA Finals last year, but there’s no need for that this year. The Spurs are not just a well-oiled machine, they are a Ferrari. They should race right over the Mavericks in this series.

Prediction: Spurs In 5

(4) Houston Rockets (54-28) Vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)

Tale Of The Tape

Points Per Game: Rockets 107.7 (2nd In NBA), Blazers 106.7 (4th In NBA)

Rebounds Per Game: Rockets 45.3 (4th In NBA), Blazers 46.4 (1st In NBA)

Assists Per Game: Rockets 21.4 (18th In NBA), Blazers 23.2 (9th In NBA)

Points Allowed: 103.1 (23rd In NBA), Blazers 102.8 (22nd In NBA)

Season Series

The Rockets won the season series 3-1, thanks to a gritty overtime victory in March. The average score of the four games was 116-110, Houston.

The talent is there and the goals are set. Can Houston find playoff success? (Twitter/@HoustonRockets)

Rockets-Patrick Beverley: Everybody knows all about James Harden and Dwight Howard, and how both of Houston’s stars have a lot to prove after disappointing showings in the 2013 playoffs. But the key for the Rockets may be their pugnacious PG, Beverley, who will be the key defensive player. The Rockets have been an inconsistent team defensively all season, but Beverley has proven himself to be a ferocious defender who will go right at some of the NBA’s premier guards. He’ll have a test in this round in Damian Lillard, who is averaging 20.7 points per game and 5.6 assists. It’ll be up to Beverly to contain the spark plug for Portland’s offense.

Blazers-LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge began the year on fire, spurring the Blazers on to an incredible start. Then he faded a bit in the middle of the season as Portland slumped, suffering a back injury and missing an extended period of time. However he’s led the Blazers on to a 9-1 run to close the season, and looks to be healthy. That’s great news for Portland, as they will need Aldridge to go toe to toe with Dwight Howard if they want to win this series. Aldridge is an adept jump shooter, and he can pull Howard away from the paint with his mid-range shots. He’s also a great rebounder, averaging 11 per game. They’ll need him to have a huge series if they want to win. 

READ MORE: 2014 NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview, Part 2

Prediction:

These two teams have played each other close all year, but Harden and Howard have dominated against Portland. Harden averaged 30.3 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists against Portland this season, and Howard averaged 25 points and 13.5 rebounds. Aldridge hasn’t been able to stop Howard so far this season, and it strains credulity to think he will be able to stop him in the playoffs. The Houston offense is dynamic; they can shoot from behind the arc, get to the foul line, and punish teams inside. Portland won’t be able to slow down Houston, and Beverley will do just enough on Lillard to get the Rockets into the next round.    

Prediction: Rockets In 6

Reach Staff Writer Russell Simon here or follow him here.