The NBA regular season has come to a close, but playoff fever is just beginning. If the regular season was any indication, the Eastern Conference playoffs will prove little more than a technicality - the East is battling for a chance to be drubbed by the West in what could be a laugher of a Finals. Nevertheless, in the postseason, anything is possible.
Eastern Conference
#1 New Jersey vs #8 Indiana: In the late '90s, Indiana grew accustomed to holding a top seed in the playoffs, but for the second straight year it has to play the league's most dominant team in the first round. Regardless of ranks, though, the Nets should not overlook this Pacers squad. On paper, the teams are very similar - their points, rebounds, and assists per game are nearly identical. While the Nets claimed three out of four regular season matchups, those victories came before the Pacers strengthened their defense by acquiring Brad Miller and Ron Artest. If the Pacers' defense can frustrate the Nets' volatile Kenyon Martin, the experience of Reggie Miller and the coaching of Isiah Thomas may be enough to procure a first-round upset.#2 Detroit vs #7 Toronto: Vince Carter is injured, but that doesn't mean that the Raptors will roll over. Toronto won 12 of its final 14 contests to climb back into the playoff picture after Carter announced he was having season-ending surgery. The Raptors are clearly playing with a passion that was absent early in the season. While that newfound emotion and a nothing-to-lose attitude will be essential against the Pistons, it might not be sufficient to overcome Detroit's home-court advantage, the dominating presence of Pistons center Ben Wallace, and the balanced scoring attack Detroit has employed all season long.
#3 Boston vs #6 Philadelphia: Philadelphia managed to retain a spot in the playoffs despite being without an injured Allen Iverson for the past 14 games. Iverson, always known for his toughness, will most likely play against the Celtics, but his injured hand may impact his shooting. A healthy Boston team will also benefit from injuries to the 76ers' Derrick Coleman and Aaron McKie; both are questionable for the playoffs. Unfortunately for Boston, the image of an undersized Vitaly Potapenko or Tony Battie trying to guard Dikembe Mutumbo in the paint was humorous to begin with - but now, with Potapenko lost for the series with a knee injury, the duties fall solely on Battie. If the Celtics wants to survive the first round, they will need their role players to take some of the pressure off Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.
#4 Charlotte vs #5 Orlando: Charlotte has perennially been one of the most difficult places for visiting teams to win, but the Hornets' home-court advantage may not be all that advantageous this year - the team was just 21-20 at the Hive this season. Nonetheless, visiting Orlando has a sub-par 17-24 record on the road this season. In addition, the Magic have struggled lately, losing four of its last five regular season games. Overcoming the offensive firepower of Charlotte does not look promising for a Magic squad that will be hampered by the bad back of Tracy McGrady and the bum ankle of Mike Miller.
Western Conference
#1 Sacramento vs #8 Utah: This series has all the makings of an absolute pummeling. The Kings own the league's best record at 61-21, lost only five games at home the entire season, swept the Jazz during the regular season, and have seven players who score in double-figures. The only good news for Utah is that two of those players, Chris Webber and Hidayet Terkoglu, are bothered by hand injuries, and that one of those players, Bobby Jackson, is currently on the injured list. The experience of veterans Karl Malone and John Stockton may help the Jazz salvage a single game, but Utah fans should not expect more than that.#2 San Antonio vs #7 Seattle: If David Robinson is healthy, San Antonio has the most dominant frontcourt in all of basketball, one that could lead the Spurs to the finals. The Twin Towers, accompanied by the capable guard play of Tony Parker, Steve Smith, and Antonio Daniels, will be an extremely difficult match-up for Seattle. But Seattle, led by a newly-optimistic Gary Payton, is loaded with scrappy defensive players who could wreak havoc with the Spurs' offensive game plan. If the Sonics' agility and vitality can generate easy scoring opportunities, this series may be more troublesome than San Antonio anticipates.
#3 Los Angeles vs #6 Portland: In four out of the past five playoffs, the Lakers have faced the Trailblazers. Los Angeles has been victorious all four times, with three of those victories coming in first-round play. Although the two-time defending champion Lakers have looked relatively vulnerable this season, beating them in a playoff series is improbable - they won 15 out of 16 postseason games a year ago. The Trailblazers have been impressive during the season's second-half, amassing a 24-10 record. As always, they have incredible depth, with seven players scoring 10 or more points per game. However, neither their winning surge nor their offensive threats will be any match for Shaq and Kobe's desire to create a new Laker dynasty in LA.
#4 Dallas vs #5 Minnesota: This is Minnesota's sixth trip to the NBA playoffs; its previous five resulted in first-round losses. If the Timberwolves want to advance to the second round this year, they will have to outshoot a Mavericks team that averages a league-high 105 points per game. While this will be a difficult task, both Kevin Garnett and Wally Sczcerbiak are capable of posting huge offensive numbers on a nightly basis. But without Terrell Brandon, who has been sidelined since February, a T-Wolves victory is as unlikely as a Steve Nash haircut. Dirk Nowitzki, Nash, Michael Finley and crew bring more offense than Minnesota can handle.
