Predictions for NBA's Most Intriguing Second-Half Storylines

The stretch run begins.

It's time to gear up for the second half of the NBA season, which promises to offer up not only more exciting basketball, but also some intense action, as all eyes will be on the playoffs soon.

If you thought the first half of the season was good, you will be in for a treat in the second half.

There were plenty of storylines worth following during the first half, and there will be some interesting ones to keep an eye on the rest of the way as well.

Here's a look at how they could play out.

Dwight Howard Will Be Dealt to New Jersey

The Dwight Howard saga will come to an end.

Finally.

Orlando general manager Otis Smith will eventually give in and deal his superstar, along with Hedo Turkoglu, to New Jersey for a package that includes both Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks, along with a pair of first-round picks.

The deal doesn't work financially right now, but it will once Lopez's contract is extended.

Eventually, Smith won't be able to gamble on Howard sticking around, and if he does, both Howard and Deron Williams will be in Dallas Mavericks uniforms.

He's going to have to get what he can get for Howard, and the other two interested teams (Lakers and Mavericks) can't offer the draft picks and cap relief that New Jersey can.

Smith isn't going to get fair value for Howard. He's just going to have to take the best deal on the table.

Linsanity Continues

The remarkable story of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin will continue in the second half of the season as he makes the Knicks a factor in the Eastern Conference.

Those expecting Lin to flame out and become a fluke that excelled for a month in the first half will be very disappointed.

Expect to see Lin on every sports highlight show and a ton of additional Lin puns for the rest of the season.

The Harvard sensation isn't going anywhere.

It's Not Going to Work Between Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire

While Jeremy Lin will have success, things are still going to be up and down between Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

Something is just missing there. There's no reason the two shouldn't be a dominant duo, but for some reason, they aren't.

This isn't pointing the finger at either guy, but things don't often go smoothly for the Knicks when both are on the floor.

You can throw Tyson Chandler into that mix, as he and Stoudemire have had problems coexisting on the floor too.

If the Knicks win games, everything will be fine. But if they struggle in the second half, then there could be problems in New York.

Will Derrick Rose Stay Healthy Enough for the Bulls to Win the East?

Reigning league MVP Derrick Rose has been banged up during this season.

First, it was the toe. Then it was the back. You can't predict injuries, but this much is certain: The Bulls need Rose at 100 percent for the stretch run.

On that note, they also need Richard Hamilton completely healthy.

Despite the backcourt injuries, the Bulls finished the first half 27-8. My gut feeling is that both guys finish strong and healthy for Chicago, and the Bulls are once again a very tough out in the postseason.

No Other Big Names Will Be Moved at the Trade Deadline

Other than Dwight Howard, don't expect any major names moved at the trade deadline.

There could be some deals involving a couple of good players, but as for the likes of superstars Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Rajon Rondo and others, they will all remain with their current teams.

There will be a ton of speculation over the next few weeks, but at the end of the day, the price will be just too high to land one of these stars.

That will make this offseason a very interesting one to follow.

Charlotte Wins the Race for Anthony Davis

While most teams will be focused on positioning themselves for the playoffs, there are three teams that will be competing for something entirely different.

It's likely down to the Charlotte Bobcats (4-28), Washington Wizards (7-26) and New Orleans Hornets (8-25) for the worst record in the league and the greatest chance in the NBA lottery to land the No. 1 overall pick.

That pick is likely Kentucky's Anthony Davis.

It may be a three-team race right now, but Michael Jordan's Bobcats are the clubhouse leader at the moment, and they are bad enough to finish the job.

Boston's Big 3 Will Finish the Season Together

It's been a struggle for the Boston Celtics, finishing the first half with a 15-17 record.

At this point of the season, you are what you are, and while some teams may turn things around in the final 30-plus games, there's no guarantee that the Celtics will finish more than anything but a mediocre, underachieving team.

While there has been talk all season about breaking up the Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trio, at this point it's unlikely to happen.

Danny Ainge has been known to make bold moves in the past, but this time it may make sense to stand pat—unless he gets an offer from someone that not only helps the team now, but also down the road.

Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense to take on any additional salary when both Garnett and Allen come off the books at the end of the season.

That alone allows the Celtics to become major players in free agency over the next couple of seasons, which is probably better for the team's future than trying to add parts here and there right now.

That money, plus a pair of first-round picks, should help Boston turn things around much quicker than any midseason trade likely would.

Clippers and Lakers Will Make Runs but Won't Be Factors in the West

All eyes will be on Los Angeles in the second half, but they should be on Oklahoma City.

Kobe Bryant will do his best to carry the Lakers, but unless they make a couple of moves to shore up a couple of areas, the Lakers will likely experience some ups and downs similar to their first half of the season.

The Lakers are a veteran team who can win a playoff series or two, but to be a championship-level team, they need to add point guard play, perimeter shooting and some production from the wing.

As for the Clippers, Lob City has been entertaining, but that doesn't necessarily translate to postseason success.

There aren't as many lobs available as defensive efforts pick up in the postseason. They are going to have to make shots and play defense in the playoffs, and this Clippers team isn't quite there yet.

Soon, but not now.

Barring something strange happening, the road to the NBA Finals in the West goes through Oklahoma City. This is the Thunder's year.

Surprise Teams Could Have Playoff Success

There have been a few good surprises so far in the NBA, and several of those surprise teams have a chance of breaking through in the playoffs.

Looking at the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia, Indiana, Atlanta and Orlando have all been good stories. New York and Boston have also been Eastern Conference surprises, but surprisingly bad.

If any team in the East has a chance to make a successful postseason run, it's the Indiana Pacers. They rebound well and play solid defense, and if they add some additional scoring, the Pacers could be a factor in the conference.

Out West, it's a different story.

There's no clear-cut No. 2 seed, and any team can get hot and make a run.

Houston and Memphis are currently the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds and could be an additional piece away from making a solid run.

Also, don't forget about Minnesota. The Timberwolves entered the All-Star break at 17-17 but have the young talent to put together a solid second-half run.

Rick Adelman is a solid veteran coach, and if Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and company find a way to sneak in, they could be worth keeping an eye on.

Rookie of the Year and MVP Award Races Could Come Down to Season's Final Week

The award races are always worth keeping an eye on as the end of the season nears, and two of the races in particular likely will come down to the final week of the season.

For Rookie of the Year, Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio will be neck and neck the rest of the season, and while Irving is likely in the lead right now, Rubio could make things very interesting if he gets Minnesota into the playoffs.

As for the MVP, it likely will come down to a two-horse race between LeBron James and Kevin Durant. If either slips up down the stretch, it gives the other guy a big leg up.

There's a lot of basketball left to be played, but we're still giving Irving and James the edge in their respective chases for regular-season awards.

Is This the Year LeBron James Gets His Ring?

Right now, the Miami Heat are the best team in the NBA, but will they be the best team at the end of the season?

Until LeBron James gets that elusive championship, there will still be doubt.

But James and the Heat have the look of a team that can get through the competition this season, so the answer is yes. This is finally the year for LeBron.

On that note, though, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a team like Oklahoma City or Chicago win it all at the end of the day. But the road to a championship right now runs through South Beach.