My NBA preview hits newsstands on Saturday. If you can’t wait, here’s your reading material leading up to opening tip on Sunday:

Five on five: Western Conference preview

Five on five: Eastern Conference preview

Top 2011-12 NBA story lines

Western Conference preseason power rankings and predictions

Eastern Conference preseason power rankings and predictions

Back for the first time in a while, due largely in part to my new favorite toy: ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine. Tool lets you plug in winners of each game, and automatically calibrates playoff situation, tiebreakers and all. Worth checking out for stat geeks.

Here’s what I got, followed by explanations:

AFC

1. Pittsburgh (13-3, currently 7-3)
2. Houston (11-5, currently 7-3)
3. New England (11-5, currently 7-3)
4. Denver (9-7, currently 5-5)
5. Baltimore (12-4, currently 7-3)
6. Jets (9-7, currently 5-5)

Buffalo (9-7, currently 5-5)
Cincinnati (9-7, currently 6-4)
Oakland (9-7, currently 6-4)

NFC

1. Green Bay (14-2, currently 11-0)
2. San Francisco (13-3, currently 9-2)
3. New Orleans (13-3, currently 7-3)
4. Dallas (11-5, currently 7-4)
5. Chicago (11-5, currently 7-3)
6. Detroit (10-6, currently 7-4)

Giants (10-6, currently 6-4)
Atlanta (10-6, currently 6-4)
Philadelphia (9-7, currently 4-6)
Tampa Bay (9-7, currently 4-6) 

As mentioned, the machine automatically figures out tiebreakers, so I can’t tell you exactly how the above ties were broken. It helped me figure out the two biggest games of the season, though:

In the AFC: Week 17: Chargers at Raiders

I have the Chargers winning this game. It’ll be Norv Turner’s last game (a win moves San Diego to a 7-9 finish), and it’s the type of game you expect an unexperienced playoff team with an overly-experienced (Read: Washed out) quarterback to lose.

If Oakland actually wins this game, they get the four seed, bumping Denver to the six seed, and the Jets to the sidelines.

In the NFC: Week 17: Lions at Packers

Same exact situation as the Jets-Bengals game two years ago. Cincinnati was resting starters, and New York obliterated them 37-zip to make the postseason. The Packers, already with a loss (courtesy of the Giants Week 13), choose to bench Aaron Rodgers and much of the starters, making for an easy win for the Lions.

Here are two other scenarios: One would be Green Bay beating the Giants, and then romping the Lions Week 17 to finish 16-0. That would kick Detroit out of the No. 6 position, and slide the Falcons in.

The other scenario: The backup Packers brigade beats the Lions after losing the Giants Week 13 to finish 15-1. Then, the Giants slide in as the No. 6 seed, kicking Detroit out.

Couple of other things to clarify …

Houston and Chicago each finishing 11-5 seems unlikely, considering their quarterback situations. Neither team has a particularly difficult schedule, though: the Texans have @ Jax (W), v. Atl (L), at Cincy (W), v. Carolina (upset L), @ Indy (W), v. Tenn (W). Chicago, meanwhile, has @ Oak (L), v KC (W), @ Den (W), v Sea (W), @ GB (L), @ Minny (W).

Indianapolis DOES get a win, though it’s not Week 17 against the Jaguars. Two weeks prior, they hold Chris Johnson in check (as every other team has), and take down Tennessee. They win the suck for Luck sweepstakes at 1-15, though, one game better than the Rams (2-14) and Vikings.

The team with the best shot at a surprise run to the postseason? Tampa Bay. Like Philly, I have them improving from 4-6 to 9-7. Unlike Philly, they aren’t a “Dream Team.” LeGarrette Blount will have a strong finish, though, aided by a pair of games against the terrible Panthers defense, and they’ll only miss the playoffs by a game.

I also have Pittsburgh and Baltimore going a combined 10-1 down the stretch. Not far-fetched, either; each team has easy schedules, and don’t need to face each other.

The Playoff Machine is definitely a fun toy, though. Worth checking out to see the playoff scenarios down the stretch.

And NO, I did NOT rig this to get the Jets in the playoffs. I was actually surprised they made it in the end. Goes to show, though, that the Denver loss could REALLY hurt them; there’s a decent chance those two will wind up with a postseason tiebreaker, which the Broncos would win.

We’ll keep it simple: Rank each conference top to bottom with predicted W/L, play out the playoffs, name a champion. Let me know what y’all think …

Eastern Conference

1) Orlando Magic (62-20)
I know what you’re thinking. No Cleveland!? Seriously, though, the only guy in the conference that can even slow Dwight Howard is Joakim Noah. Add in Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson and the rest of the sharpshooters, Orlando’s got the inside-out game down to a science. Plus, don’t forget, they can stop ANYBODY on defense. This team is a well-oiled machine; 62 wins might be conservative.

2) Miami Heat (61-21)
I’m probably the only person on the planet with the Heat here. Fact is, this team might have trouble staying healthy. There’s a lot of age on the bench, and there’s Dwyane Wade’s injury plagued-ness. Yeah, when they’re at full strength, they’ll be very tough to beat. But staying healthy isn’t as easy as it looks for these cats.

3) Chicago Bulls (53-29)
The Bulls will just get better and better and better as the season goes on. By the end of the year, Derrick Rose will be the best point guard in the NBA. With the addition of Carlos Boozer - when he heals up, and isn’t losing to high schoolers in horse - and the still-improving Noah, Chicago’s scary in the post.

4) Boston Celtics (50-32)
I expect similar things out of the Celts this year as last year. They’ll have a decent regular season, save their legs for the playoffs, and then present some people problems. Shaq’s presence scares me a bit since he’s a bit of a team killer, but Rajon Rondo is only going to get better.

5) Milwaukee Bucks (47-35)
If you like the Thunder, you’ve GOT to like the Bucks. The team is young, exciting, and can always tout the underdog card. Yeah, there’s a drop off after the Celtics, but Brandon Jennings, John Salmons and a healthy Andrew Bogut could key a first round upset.

6) Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
Following along the Hawks’ against the Heat tonight showed me two things; first, as mentioned above, that Miami’s kryptonite is injuries. Second, why is everybody sleeping on Atlanta? I think their record was a product of a weak conference last year; still, though, they’re a bonafide playoff team.

7) New York Knicks (39-43)
I’d love to say the Knicks are a true contender in the East. They’re still one or two years - more specifically, a real point guard - away, though. If they deal Gallo, Randolph, Chandler and Mozgov for Anthony? They might only win 35. I think the most exciting part of New York is their Golden State-esque core. Very athletic, high-throttle, and the shock-ability characteristic. The Knicks will look silly-good at times, and silly-bad at times. They’re the last lock for a playoff spot in the East.

8) Indiana Pacers (36-46)
Blame it on my man crush on Darren Collison or my man crush on Roy Hibbert. Maybe it’s just my attempt at rekindling some sort of Indiana / New York rivalry. I think the Pacers are on their way up, though. Danny Granger’s got some sidekicks, now, and in a top-heavy East, it could mean the Pacers sneak into the postseason.

9) Charlotte Bobcats (34-48)
Unlike Skip Bayless, I don’t believe in the Bobcats. Stephen Jackson is real good, and Charlotte’s athletic and stingy on defense, but last year was their ceiling - for now, at least. If Indiana ends up closer to 20 wins than 40 wins, as many are predicting, Charlotte, should grab the 8-seed. I have ‘em on the outside-looking-in, though.

10) Washington Wizards (32-50)
Anybody interested in a psychopath point guard that used to be elite? Once the Wizards get Gilbert Arenas off their hands, they can start thinking playoffs. Until then, they’ll make more noise off-the-court than on it.

11) Philadelphia 76ers (30-52)
What’s Evan Turner got? I’m afraid he might just get in the way of Andre Iguodala. Aren’t they each the same exact player? Philly won’t win much this year, and might end up packing up their vets and beginning the rebuilding process.

12) Cleveland Cavaliers (27-55)
I just have a feeling that the Cavs aren’t going to be TERRIBLE. Yeah, they won’t be good, but something tells me that Dan Gilbert will do everything short of playing the point to make sure Cleveland plays O.K. basketball. Also helps that the Nyets, Pistons and Raps are in the conference.

13) New Jersey Nets (24-58)
They’ll be plenty more excitement following the pursuit of Carmelo Anthony than the on-court product in Jersey. Once they get to Brooklyn, things will look up. Until then, it’s the Travis Outlaw Show!

14) Detroit Pistons (23-59)
Listen, I love watching T-Mac highlight reels on YouTube as much as the next guy. However, when he’s one of your YOUNGER players, you’re in trouble.

15) Toronto Raptors (13-69)
I’ll be tempted to watch Golden Girls instead of Knicks/Raptors games this year. This team is U-G-L-Y.

Western Conference

1) Los Angeles Lakers (61-21)
Kobe’s got to get healthy. For that reason, I think the Lake Show takes it at 75 percent during the regular season. This team is good enough to win 70, but getting the three-peat is more important. If L.A. doesn’t win the West, I’ll be shocked.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24)
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are a more lethal one-two threat than LeBron-Wade. There, I said it! Add in Jeff Green, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Nenad Kristic … the list goes on. This team is deep, and will scare Angeles.

3) Utah Jazz (56-26)
No boozer? No problem. The Wolves handed the Jazz Al Jefferson and said, “Hey! Go win a title!” Deron Williams is the best point guard in the league - for now - and will pick n’ roll his way with Jefferson deep into the playoffs.

4) Phoenix Suns (55-27)
I know they lost Amar’e. But I’m excited about seeing Josh Childress once he gets healthy. All pundits say he is the dream point guard for a fast-paced team like the Suns. Big, crazy-athletic, and terrific court vision. Why didn’t the Knicks sign him! Phoenix will surprise a lot of people and win a lot of games.

5) Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)
I’m not a Portland believe. I think they’re overrated, and will have the same problem the Mavs have - show up in the regular season, disappear in the playoffs. Still, they’ll win more than 50.

6) Dallas Mavericks (54-28)
Dirk should’ve ran. This team is on the wrong side of 28, and on their way down. Sure, they’ll still win 50+ games, just because the talent is there. But the NBA Championship is well out of their grasps.

7) Houston Rockets (48-34)
What do you have in your office pool for the over-under on Yao Ming’s games played? If he stays healthy, pairing him with Aaron Brooks spells a playoff berth, no doubt. If he doesn’t, the Rocks will have another 40-win season.

8) San Antonio Spurs (48-34)
George Hill makes me drool, and I can’t wait to watch Thiago Splitter. This is a transition year for San Antonio, though. There will be a few chemistry issues as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker begin to realize their reign is over. Still, they’ll find a way to the playoffs.

9) Los Angeles Clippers (41-41)
Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon, AND Blake Griffin. The Clips are a real good team. Unfortunately, the West is real deep. By the way, Griffin is a sleeper MVP candidate. Yes, I said MVP. He’s a force, and could average 20 and 12 as a rookie.

10) Denver Nuggets (41-41)
‘Melo has kidnapped this team. He’ll be hanging over Denver’s head all year, and the Nuggs will suffer as a result. Once he gets dealt, you might even see them get a little better.

11) New Orleans Hornets (38-44)
I used to love Chris Paul. Then, I saw that he’s enamored by LeBron James. That’s bad karma. Real bad. There will be times this year when you see CP3 giving 60 percent. And N’Awlins will be well outside the playoff picture as a result.

12) Sacramento Kings (35-47)
Weird how the Kings only have two good players, but they still have the feel of a decent teams. Tyreke Evans is studly, and DeMarcus Cousins looks to be on a mission to prove all of his Draft-day haters wrong.

13) Memphis Grizzlies (35-47)
Rudy Gay returns to again team up with O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. The starting five in Memphis is good enough to have a shot at the postseason. Where’s the bench, though?

14) Minnesota Timberwolves (20-62)
Thank goodness for Golden State.

15) Golden State Warriors (14-68)
I’ve talked to a few people who think Golden State might contend in the West. I don’t see it. You need at least one guy that can play defense to win 20 games.

PLAYOFFS

East Round 1

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
Pacers are a ways away from having a shot at eliminating the Magic. Still, it’ll be fun to watch two Herculean centers battle it out in the post. — Magic 4-0

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks
New York’s got no shot in this series. It’ll be AWESOME watching the the two teams spark another rivalry, a la the 1990s, but the Heat will cruise on. — Heat 4-0

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
I love the Bulls. I think they’re built to make a Finals run. The Hawks will give them trouble, though. Fortunately for Chicago, Josh Smith might start chucking. — Bulls 4-2

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
This is a toss-up. Two completely different teams. When in doubt, you gotta take experience though, especially in the NBA. — Celtics 4-3

West Round 1

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs
Not the match-up Los Angeles wants in their quest for three-peat No. 2. Still, the Lakers will manage to end the Spurs’ decade-long era. — Lakers 4-1

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Houston Rockets
How will the Thunder do in their first year as a favorite in the postseason? Round 1 shouldn’t be much of a test; Yao might not have both feet by this point. — Thunder 4-1

(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks
Utah’s building it’s next Karl Malone - John Stockton duo. This year will be the blue print for success going forward. They’ll embarrass the Mavs in the quarters. — Jazz 4-1

(4) Phoenix Suns vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
The only upset in the first round will be a five-seed over a four. Lame, I know. Phoenix can get here without Amar’e. Then, though, J-Rich will try to do too much. — Trail Blazers 4-2

East Semis

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (4) Boston Celtics
Boston was able to screw everything up in the East last year. Not this year. The Shaq factor will hurt ‘em against D-Wight. — Magic 4-2

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
PEACE OUT, MIAMI! The Bulls are built for the playoffs with a mixture of big men, defense and a smooth pick n’ roll offense. Miami is built for a 50-game season or the playground. — Bulls 4-2

West Semis

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers will be cake after Los Angeles has to deal with San An in the first round. Los Angeles will set up the dream West Finals match-up. — Lakers 4-0

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Utah Jazz
The Thunder’s depth is just way too good for the Jazz. Just when Durant and Westbrook struggle in the middle of the series, Eric Maynor will come in and drop 12 quick points. — Thunder 4-2

Conference Finals

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
This will be a terrific series. On paper, it looks like the Bulls built themselves with Orlando as a model - stingy defense, good shooting, and a lockdown big man defending the post. Derrick Rose vs. Jameer Nelson is the X-Factor here. Adv.: Bulls. — Bulls 4-3

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Oklahoma City Thunder
A rematch of last year’s series, this time in the West Finals. Can OK City make an improbable run to the promised land? I think it’s a year too soon for them. Kobe will get a shot at ring No. 6. — Lakers 4-3

NBA Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
After a pair of epic conference finals, what better match-up? Two of the most classic franchises in the league. What’s more, Chicago gets the opportunity to prevent Kobe from another title. While I love the Bulls on paper, and I hate cliches and “It was meant to be” stories, this sets up too perfectly as the series to anoint Bryant the second best player in NBA history. The Lakers get it done in the highest rated NBA Finals in a long time — Lakers 4-3

Wait, the semifinals have already wrapped up?

In rather anticlimactic fashion, three of the four NBA semifinal match-ups failed to get past the minimum four games. The fourth series, while given plenty of media attention considering the LeBron factor, was a pretty rotten series as well.

Even worse, the conference finals could produce a pair of duds as well. In the East, you have an athletic powerhouse in Orlando taking on a team that was the beneficiary of a pair of favorable match-ups in the Celtics.

Out west, while the series could go seven, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion we’re in for a letdown - not in the way that the universe is picking (Lakers easy), but via an easy win for Phoenix.

On to the Round 2 wrap up and conference finals preview:

Conference semis

EAST

No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 4 Boston

The pick: Cleveland wins, 4-2

The result: Boston wins, 4-2

I prognosticated scared. And what do they always say? When you prognosticate scared, you get bit.

Okay, nobody says that. But the signs were out there. Shaq’s counterproductive presence on the court. LeBron’s elbow. Boston’s hot streak, led by Perkins, Allen and Pierce. The mere fact that Mo Williams - mediocre point guard Mo Williams - was the key for the Cavs.

I wasn’t at all surprised to see Boston here, and should have adjusted my prediction accordingly. Cleveland’s supporting case was WAY overrated coming into this one. The team is built for the regular season, much like the Suns have been in years past, and would have major trouble in the postseason.

Boston, meanwhile, didn’t have to do much. Nobody played exceptionally - everyone just maintained their roles. And with the defense figuring out ‘Bron ‘Bron, Cleveland never stood a chance.

No. 2 Orlando vs. No. 3 Atlanta

The pick: Orlando wins, 4-2

The result: Orlando wins, 4-0

Did you lay heavy money on the sweep as I suggested? No need to analyze here. This was a mismatch from the start.

WEST

No. 1 Los Angeles vs. No. 5 Utah

The pick: Los Angeles wins, 4-2

The result: Los Angeles wins, 4-0

One of those series where the result didn’t quite tell the tale of the series. While the Lakers were the better team all four games, Utah managed to keep it tight.

Of particular note in this series was the epic Game 3 … the best basketball I’ve watched this year. Neither team could miss a shot down the stretch … and it wasn’t because of freeway defense. Kyle Korver, Deron Williams (save the failed buzzer beater), Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, even Ron Artest where NBA Jam’ing. One of those games that had it not been on the West Coast, and had the sports media world not insisted on only covering LeBron James this postseason, it would have gotten a whole lot more due publicity.

No. 3 Phoenix vs. No. 7 San Antonio

The pick: Phoenix wins, 4-3

The result: Phoenix wins, 4-0

Where does ESPN get off saying the universe picked San Antonio to win when I PICKED THE SUNS.

Seriously, though, why doesn’t Phoenix get ANY respect. For the most part, they were picked to lose to a team that wasn’t supposed to have much of a shot of winning in the first round. Furthermore, this coming off a series that many picked Phoenix to lose to a Brandon Roy-less Portland Trail Blazers

The Suns are dangerous - very dangerous. Dangerous enough that they don’t need Robin Lopez to get to the promised land. And dangerous enough that if they do, they could cruise there.

Conference Finals

No. 2 Orlando vs. No. 4 Boston

The pick: Orlando tops Cleveland, 4-2

Will it happen: New team, same result.

The Magic won’t get the chance to oust the Cavs for the second-straight year, but they will dispose Boston easily in a series that will go six, but won’t be that close.

Orlando is too athletic, has the inside-out game down pat too much, and will be playing against a Celtics team that is too old to go this deep in the playoffs.

No. 1 Los Angeles vs. No. 3 Phoenix

The pick: Phoenix tops Los Angeles, 4-3

Will it happen: Sticking with the pre-postseason pick - logically, does that mean my season pick? I don’t know … - and taking the Suns in seven.

The argument will be how on EARTH do you combat Gasol and Bynum underneath, hold off Kobe, slow the bench, out-Zen the Zen Master, score on Artest, win at Staples, beat the Lakers in the postseason … the list goes on.

I don’t have an answer. But Alvin Gentry does. And from watching the Suns, from Nash to Richardson to Amare to DRAGIC for heaven’s sake, they are on a mission. This is their year. And they’ll win the West, with or without Robin Lopez.

As promised, the NBA delivered an exciting (enough) first round of playoff action. Maybe it didn’t measure up to last year’s standards, but we’ll take what we can get, people. Here’s a recap of each first round series, followed by a few words about the conference semifinals.

Round 1

EAST

No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Chicago

The pick: Cleveland wins, 4-0

The result: Cleveland wins, 4-1

Derrick Rose continues to remind people that he may well be the best point guard in the game … with the exception of Deron Williams. Without him, Chicago may have lost each game by an average of 20. Sure, Noah looked good underneath, but Rose’s supporting cast is eerily similar to the weakness of Wade’s cast. Cleveland was never worried about this series, and they reasserted the fact that based on regular season record, they are the de facto Finals favorites. (Though, of course, they won’t get there.)

No. 4 Boston vs. No. 5 Miami

The pick: Boston wins, 4-2

The result: Boston wins, 4-1

Boy, oh boy, oh boy. Is Miami that bad, or Boston that good? Surprisingly, I think it is more of the latter. While the Heat are more of a six- or seven-seed than a five-seed, the Celts played as well as they did in their championship run of two years ago. Pierce was sharp, Rondo was his usual self, Allen played extremely well, Perkins dominated the middle, and Davis, as he seems to do quite a bit in playoff games, came out to play.

No. 3 Atlanta vs. No. 6 Milwaukee

The pick: Atlanta wins, 4-2

The result: Atlanta wins, 4-3

This series more than any other had me very nervous. The Hawks looked like absolute garbage against a team that was missing their best player, Andrew Bogut. Had Bogut been available, I would have taken the Bucks in six. Had he he played, they might have won in four. This is the end of the run for the current Atlanta franchise. No way will Johnson want to come back after the Magic wipe the floor with them in the second round.

No. 2 Orlando vs. No. 7 Charlotte

The pick: Orlando wins, 4-1

The result: Orlando wins, 4-0

Damn you, Skip Bayless. All that talk about the Bobcats’ superior coaching and defense tricked me into actually giving them a game in this series. Orlando is a force to be reckoned with, and should cruise into the Finals. (Yep, the Finals.)

WEST

No. 1 Los Angeles vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City

The pick: Los Angeles wins, 4-1

The result: Los Angeles wins, 4-2

Does everyone sort of feel that Durant is not the best player in town? His inconsistent shooting prevented the Thunder from walking away with this miracle. Russell Westbrook’s play was unflappable. He reminds me of a smaller LeBron James in terms of his career progression. Started off as more of a passer with an average shot and a natural ability to drive, began shooting, and now is developing range. Oklahoma City is going to be very, very good next year - we’re talking 1- or 2-seed good - with James Harden a year older, Nenad Kristic in the middle, Jeff Green maturing, and the secret weapon that is Serge Ibaka getting on the floor.

Oh, yea, the Lake Show won, though.

No. 4 Denver vs. No. 5 Utah

The pick: Utah wins, 4-3

The result: Utah wins, 4-2

There is something about Denver that makes you never want to pick them in the playoffs. As good as Melo and Billups are, the rest of the team just doesn’t have the make-up to be successes in the postseason. Combine that with the crazy-good duo of Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, and you have a pretty easy Jazz series win.

No. 3 Phoenix vs. No. 6 Portland

The pick: Phoenix wins, 4-2

The result: Phoenix wins, 4-2

Well, at least my Finals champs made it past Round 1. (For a while, I was having scary flashbacks to a few years ago when year-after-year I would take Yao, Tracy, Artest and the Rockets, only to see them go down against a six-seed). Nash carried the load, but it was the surprising play of Jason Richardson, and the (finally) clutch shooting of Channing Frye and Jared Dudley that carried Phoenix on.

No. 2 Dallas vs. No. 7 San Antonio

The pick: San Antonio wins, 4-3

The result: San Antonio wins, 4-2

I think this was the end of the road for Dirk in Dallas. As much as Dallas and Mark Cuban have loved him, another year without a championship run might make him want to test the free agency waters. As for San Antonio, damn are they underseeded. Tony Parker is clearly 100 percent, and Manu Ginobili has taken the throne from Amare Stoudemire as the most possessed player in the game right now. 

Conference semis

EAST

No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 4 Boston

The pick: Cleveland wins, 4-2

Will it happen? This is the series that has me the most nervous - as evidenced by last night’s Boston whooping. The Celts are far deeper than the Cavs, can match-up against LeBron by swapping who’s covering him based on the situation, and it looks like Cleveland might live and die by - gulp - Mo Williams. Still, gotta stick with my earlier pick - as I will for all of the second round series.

No. 2 Orlando vs. No. 3 Atlanta

The pick: Orlando wins, 4-2

Will it happen? I quoted him the other day, and I’ll rehash that here - as Alan Hahn, the Knicks beat writer for Newsday, said, Orlando in 3.5. This won’t be a problem for SVG and co. If I had the coin, I’d lay heavy money on an Orlando sweep.

WEST

No. 1 Los Angeles vs. No. 5 Utah

The pick: Los Angeles wins, 4-2

Will it happen? The Lakers’ depth will prove to be too much for Williams, Boozer, Millsap and co. Utah is good - very good - but the Lakers are groomed for the postseason, and they’ll be able to take this one last series before losing to the winner of the below match-up …

No. 3 Phoenix vs. No. 7 San Antonio

The pick: Phoenix wins, 4-3

Will it happen? You bet this one is going seven. Phoenix and San Antonio have more talent than any other team in the West. Instead of trying to analyze this series again, I’m just going to sit back and watch in what will be the most exciting seven games of playoff basketball this year.