NBA Playoffs 2015: Dwight Howard Deems Ex-Teammate Chandler Parsons ‘The Enemy’ in Rockets vs. Mavericks Game

There are many exciting - or what some would call unfair - first-round matchups in the 2015 NBA playoffs this year.

While many are still complaining about the imbalance between the conferences this year, the players are already focused on their upcoming games this weekend. For the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets, they are more than ready to take on former-teammate, Chandler Parsons and the No. 7 seed Dallas Mavericks.

"He's the enemy," Dwight Howard in regards to Parsons. "We're still going to be friends and we're still going to kick it in the summer, but right now, him and his team are trying to end our season. And that's our mentality - we're not going to let anybody end our season, so we've got to go out there and dominate from the first game and send a message."

James Harden added, "It's not about Chandler. It's about trying to win. The last couple of years I've been here, I've been [knocked] out the first round, so it's bigger than one person. They're a really good team. [They have] a high-powered offense. It's going to be a series of whoever can get stops and that's what we rely on. Our offense isn't always clicking, so we've got to rely on our defense. They've got a lot of weapons."

Parsons has not played since April 2 when he suffered a knee injury. Although the MRI revealed no structural damage, Parsons is still experiencing swelling and soreness. The current status of his injury is reportedly "not good." However, if the symptoms improve, Parsons could be back on the court for the playoffs.

"I could play, but it would almost be selfish to rush back and play and not be able to help my team. I'm not going to be immature and ignorant just to play. I'm dying to play. I really want to play, but at the same time, I'm not going to be selfish and rush back and not be a contributor and be able to help our team," Parsons said before Wednesday's finale against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale expects the series to be a good one.

"Dallas will be tough," McHale said. "Rick [Carlisle is] a hell of a coach. They've got a good team. We're going to have to just play how we play and attack them. And I'm sure it'll be a good series. They're a very good team."

The teams met four times this season with the Rockets winning 3-1.

The first game of the series will be on Saturday, April 18 at 9:30 p.m. ET.