11.   The winner will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western finals, beginning this weekend.

12.   Then the Lakers were swept in the Western finals.

13.   They are in their third Western final in five years, and in neither of their previous two appearances did they win a road game or a series.

14.   The Spurs open the Western finals at home against Los Angeles on Saturday.

15.   Utah will play the winner of the Houston-Seattle series in the Western finals.

16.   One more victory sends Colorado into the Western finals against Detroit.