NBA Predictions: Early Playoff Projections

The playoffs will be here before you know it, and it’ll come even faster with this truncated NBA season, thanks to the lockout. The Miami Heat look great, but they certainly aren’t unbeatable, as the Atlanta Hawks made clear in handing them their first loss.

No one really thought they would go 66-0, did they? One loss doesn’t say they aren’t the best, just as three or four losses doesn’t doom a team to miss the playoffs. The Mavericks, Celtics and Grizzlies certainly hope that's the case.

After all three teams experienced regular season and postseason success last year, they have all gotten off to slow and concerning starts.

The back-to-back-to-backs and back-to-backs, have already taken a toll on teams, as Miami looked a bit sluggish in their loss.

The injury bug has bitten as well, with Manu Ginobili going down with a broken left hand. Through that, there are teams that have shined enough to make themselves strong playoff contenders. Here are six teams who will be playing 66-plus games this season.

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