Monday's two playoff games were a reminder of just how important matchups are in the NBA playoffs.

Here's the first example: The Chicago Bulls are a perimeter-oriented team that thrives on scoring from its guards, particularly Ben Gordon.  He spent the entire Miami series guarding Jason Williams, who wasn't much of an offensive threat.  Gordon basically rested on defense, then went the other way and had all the energy in the world to explode past the Heat's slower perimeter players.

Fast forward to Detroit, and everything has changed for Gordon.  Defensively, he has to work like crazy no matter who he's guarding -- Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton or at times Tayshaun Prince.  Then, when he's trying to score, Gordon has to deal with excellent defenders who are quicker and stronger than the Heat guards.  Basically the whole game has gotten more difficult for Gordon since the Miami series ended.  And because he's the Bulls' leading scorer and an integral part of their offense, Gordon has to play well for his team to win. So far in two games of the series, he hasn't done it.  Gordon has made five of 16 shots over two games and Chicago has been blown out twice.

Example number two:  The Golden State Warriors feasted on Dallas's lack of physical strength in the backcourt in the first round and also got away with playing small because the Mavs had no low-post threat.  Move ahead to Utah, and all of a sudden Golden State is looking at a 210-pound point guard in Deron Williams who can play just as physically as Baron Davis.

And the Utah Jazz also have a terrific low-post man in Carlos Boozer,  who is capable of dominating the  Warriors' small lineup.  The result?  Williams goes for 31 by getting into the paint at will, giving Davis a taste of his own medicine.  And Boozer grabs 10 offensive boards on his way to 20 total rebounds and 17 points.  As explosive and creative as the Warriors were in Game 1, they couldn't pull out the win -- mainly because of Boozer and Williams.