Thunder-Lakers: NBA’s best series

These NBA Playoffs largely have been duds. With a few notable exceptions. Ranking the eight playoff series so far.

1. Thunder-Lakers: Tied 2-2. Three tight games and an underdog blowout. The ascension of a ridiculously-young team with stars. Hard to ask for more.

L.A. LAKERS: Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka grabs a loose ball from L.A.'s Derek Fisher, middle, and Lamar Odom during the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, April 24, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman ORG XMIT: KOD

2. Spurs-Mavericks: San Antonio leads 3-1, and three games have been compelling to the end. Plus the startling revelation that Manu Ginobili is the Spurs’ best player.

3. Suns-Blazers: tied 2-2. Not great games, with only one good finish. But great theater, with Portland persevering despite massive injuries and Phoenix winning despite almost blowing up its roster.

4. Jazz-Nuggets: Utah leads 3-1 despite being without Mehmet Okur  and Andrei Kirilenko, while Denver has staggered without coach George Karl. The two 3-1 series in the West are led by the team without homecourt advantage.

5. Celtics-Heat: Boston leads 3-1. Hard to get excited about a series that was 3-0 Boston before Dwyane Wade went off Sunday, but at least Boston-Miami has had three single-digit finishes. The rest of the East has been awful.

6. Magic-Bobcats: Orlando leads 3-0, but at least two of the games were decently-contested. In the East, that counts as a good series.

7. Cavs-Bulls: Cleveland leads 3-1. Three blowouts and a Chicago victory.

8. Hawks-Bucks: Atlanta leads 2-1. Double-digit decision all three games.

Did you notice a trend? The best serieses are in the West.