Yet Chris Paul and Blake Griffin say they aren't scared of the rugged Grizzlies

The other four series start Sunday. San Antonio hosts Utah in the opener, followed by the Lakers against Denver. Boston visits Atlanta before Memphis welcomes the Clippers in the two 4-5 series at night.

The Celtics have the higher seed as Atlantic Division champions but the Hawks get home-court advantage based on their better record. The Grizzlies snatched home-court advantage from the Clippers by winning their final six games while Los Angeles dropped three of its final four.

Yet Chris Paul and Blake Griffin say they aren't scared of the rugged Grizzlies, who were a game away from the West finals last year and are a trendy pick to get there this time.

"It's just like any other NBA team," Griffin said. "They've got good bigs, they've got good guards. You've got to be ready to play. We're not intimidated by them by any means." 

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Paul Millsap finished with 27 points

Eric Gordon had 25 points and six assists on Friday and the Hornets downed the playoff-hopeful Jazz, 96-85.

With the loss Utah fell to 10th in the Western Conference standings, a half- game behind the Suns and 1 1/2 games behind the Rockets and Nuggets, who are tied for seventh.

Chris Kaman added 19 points for New Orleans, which has won four of its last six games.

Eric Gordon had 25 points and six assists on Friday and the Hornets downed the playoff-hopeful Jazz, 96-85.

With the loss Utah fell to 10th in the Western Conference standings, a half- game behind the Suns and 1 1/2 games behind the Rockets and Nuggets, who are tied for seventh.

Chris Kaman added 19 points for New Orleans, which has won four of its last six games.

Paul Millsap finished with 27 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz and Al Jefferson scored 19 in the setback.

"This is a big loss for us tonight," said Millsap. "This was a game we needed and one we were supposed to win." and eight rebounds for the Jazz and Al Jefferson scored 19 in the setback.

"This is a big loss for us tonight," said Millsap. "This was a game we needed and one we were supposed to win."