NBA Playoff Predictions for the Eastern and Western Conference

Christmas Day for many people around the world is one of the best days of the year.

Family, food and gifts are all reasons people look forward to Christmas day. 

This year however, sports fans will have yet another reason to look forward to Christmas as the NBA season finally begins after an ugly lockout.

Mavs vs. Lakers, Bulls vs. Heat, Celtics vs. Knicks and Magic vs. Thunder are the games that NBA fans will get to look forward too on Christmas.

With the start of the season only a week away, what teams have what it takes to make the playoffs in the shortened season?

Here's a look at my one through eight rankings in both the Eastern and Western conferences. 

East No. 1: Miami Heat

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Mario Chalmers

SG-Dwayne Wade

SF-LeBron James

PF-Chris Bosh

C-Joel Anthony

Key Bench Players

G-Mike Miller

F-Shane Battier

F-Udonis Haslem

Head Coach-Erik Spolestra 

The Miami Heat's 2010-2011 season was without a doubt one of the most heavily scrutinized of all time. After landing both LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the offseason to join Dwayne Wade, the Heat had one of the best trios in NBA history. Expectations were soaring, but the Heat could not get the job done when they were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in a shocking upset in the NBA finals.

This year however, LeBron and the Heat have something to prove and the East better watch out. The Heat grabbed the second seed in the East last season but I fully expect them to trump that this year. James seems more focused after his embarrassing performance in the Finals, and D-Wade is of course still one of the league's top players.

The Heat have added Shane Battier, which will provide great veteran leadership as well as excellent defense. They also signed Eddy Curry in hopes that he will be able to break through in the center position. Aside from that, they pretty much have the same team from last season and should be able to grab the top spot in the Eastern Conference if they play up to their potential. 

East No. 2. Chicago Bulls

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Derrick Rose

SG-Richard Hamilton

SF-Luol Deng

PF-Carlos Boozer

C-Joakim Noah

Key Bench Players

F-Taj Gibson

G-Kyle Korver

C-Omer Asik 

Head Coach-Tom Thibodeau

The Bulls surprised many last season by posting the best record in the East and making it to the Eastern Conference Finals behind league MVP Derrick Rose. 

The Bulls won many of their games thanks to their dominating defense, but fell to the Heat in five games in the ECF. The Bulls struggled to find a second option offensively, as Carlos Boozer never really developed in the postseason. 

This year, Chicago returns most of their starting lineup and adds former Piston Richard Hamilton to bolster the offense. Hamilton brings championship experience to a team that figures to be in the mix for years to come as long as they have Rose at the helm. 

Rose will continue to develop into one of the best players in the league but he will need help if the Bulls are going to get over the hump and beat Miami in the playoffs. Will Hamilton, Deng and Boozer be enough? We will see. But there is no doubt that the Bulls are one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. 

East No. 3: Boston Celtics

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Rajon Rondo

SG-Ray Allen

SF-Paul Pierce

PF-Kevin Garnett

C-Jermaine O'Neal

Key Bench Players

F-Brandon Bass

G-Marquis Daniels

F-JaJuan Johnson

Head Coach- Doc Rivers

The Boston Celtics will be going for one last run with their current roster which is one of the oldest in the league. 

However they are also still one of the most talented in the East with their "Big Three." Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett all still on board, as well as Rajon Rondo, who has developed into one of the league's best point guards. Losing forward Jeff Greene, their compensation for the Kendrick Perkins trade will hurt, but the Celtics have enough talent to make up for it. 

Rondo's psyche will be tested, as he was used as trade bait for Chris Paul this offseason, but if he is playing well then it could make the difference for Boston. 

The Celtics will likely not bring it until the playoffs, so it doesn't really matter what seed they get, but I still see them as the conference's third best team.

New York may make a push for the top three, but I'll still go with the Celtics for the third position in the East this season. 

East No. 4: New York Knicks

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Baron Davis

SG-Landry Fields

SF-Carmelo Anthony

PF-Amar'e Stoudamire

C-Tyson Chandler

Key Bench Players

G-Mike Bibby

F-Jared Jefferies

G-Toney Douglas

Head Coach-Mike D'Antoni

Playing their first full season together, the Carmelo Anthony/Amare Stoudamire one-two punch will without a doubt be one of the most feared in the NBA this season. 

The duo was swept out of the playoffs by Boston last year, but as they continue to build chemistry it would be highly shocking to see them get swept in any series this season. 

Losing Chauncey Billups hurts, but the Knicks hope young guys like Landry Fields and Iman Shumpert, as well as veteran scoring threat Baron Davis, can provide the spark that they will need from the rest of their roster to ensure a top four position in the conference. 

East No. 5: Atlanta Hawks

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jeff Teague

SG-Joe Johnson

SF-Marvin Williams

PF-Josh Smith

C-Al Horford

Key Bench Players

G-Kirk Heinrich

G-Tracy McGrady

C-Zaza Pachulia

Head Coach- Larry Drew

For the Hawks the question remains, do they have enough pieces to contend for the Eastern Conference championship? 

While teams around them like New York, Miami, Boston, Orlando and Chicago have made serious pushes to become the best team in the conference, the Hawks have remained stagnant with the same basic players that has landed them in the No. 4 to No. 6 range of the East over the past several seasons. 

For this season, I expect the Hawks' position to remain the same as a solid playoff team in the conference, but nothing more. If the Hawks are going to take the next step into becoming an elite team, they must do one of two things, shake up their roster, or hope that Joe Johnson transforms into one of the top five players in the NBA.  

East-6. Indiana Pacers

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Darren Collison

SG-Paul George

SF-Danny Granger

PF-David West

C-Roy Hibbert

Key Bench Players

G-George Hill

F-Tyler Hansborough

F-Louis Amundson

Head Coach-Frank Vogel

After sneaking into the playoffs as the conference's eighth seed last season, The Pacers played very well in their five game series against the Bulls and pushed them to the limit in a few of the games they lost.

With a solid starting lineup, it is only logical that Indiana will take the next step and move up in the conference ladder. 

Danny Granger continues to be one of the least talked about great scorers in the game, and the addition of David West at the power forward position will provide Indiana with the solid No. 2 option offensively they were lacking last season, provided he can stay healthy.

Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison are both blossoming into quality NBA players at their individual positions and the Pacers should have a descent season this year. Although they still lack the overall firepower to compete with the big boys of the conference. 

East No. 7: Philadelphia 76ers

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jrue Holliday

SG-Evan Turner

SF-Andre Igoudala

PF-Elton Brand

C-Spencer Hawes

Key Bench Players

F-Thaddeus Young

G-Lou Williams

G-Jodie Meeks

Head Coach-Doug Collins

The Sixers continue to sport a plethora of nice young players that should get them into the postseason once again. 

Andre Igoudala is the established star of this team, and despite trade speculation as of right now, he is still with the team and will continue to be their go-to scorer. 

Jrue Holliday emerged last season as a breakout star at the point guard position averaging over 14 points and six assists a game. 

Evan Turner will look to improve in his second season, and Elton Brand provides quality veteran experience and leadership. 

All of these factors are nice, but without a real dominant scorer there is only so far the 76ers can go, which is why I have them cemented in once again as the seventh best team in the Eastern Conference.

Doug Collins has shown he can get the best out of teams without the best talent, but this team is almost assuredly not going to win a playoff series if they have to match up with the Heat, Bulls, Celtics or Knicks in the first round.  

East No. 8: Orlando Magic

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jameer Nelson

SG-Jason Richardson

SF-Hedo Turkoglu

PF-Glen Davis

C-Dwight Howard

Key Bench Players

G-Chris Duhon

G-JJ Reddick

F-Ryan Anderson

Head Coach-Stan Van Gundy

On paper, the Orlando Magic are much better then the eighth best team in the east, but this prediction is based on the fact that I do not see Dwight Howard staying with the Magic all season long.

Orlando realizes that it is likely Howard will not re-sign with the team and they are best to trade him so they can get something in return. It is entirely possibly that Howard won't even be on the Magic by the time the season starts, which would take them out of the playoffs entirely. 

If Howard is traded to New Jersey, than these rankings may be a lot different. However, since there is no real way of knowing for sure where D12 will end up, Orlando holds on to the eighth spot. This is on the basis that they will get enough wins with Howard before he gets traded so that they will be able to secure a spot in the postseason. 

Other then Howard, Orlando will rely heavily on their backcourt of Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson to do the majority of the scoring for them. They also hope that Hedo Turkoglu can return to the form he was in when the Magic made the NBA Finals back in 2009.  

West No 1: Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Russell Westbrook

SG-Thabo Sefalosha

SF-Kevin Durant

PF-Serge Ibaka

C-Kendrick Perkins

Key Bench Players

G-James Harden

C-Nazr Mohammaed

F-Nick Collison

Head Coach-Scott Brooks

After getting to the Western Conference Finals a year ago, The Oklahoma City Thunder now look primed to take over as the next great Western Conference team in 2012. 

Behind their All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder will once again look to be one of the top teams in the conference. In fact, I like them to have the best record in the regular season.

While teams like the Mavs and Lakers are still threats, the Thunder are a more youthful squad, which bodes well for them in the regular season. They return their entire group of core players from a year ago to compliment Westbrook and Durant, including Sixth Man of the Year candidate James Harden.

The question for Oklahoma City is come playoff time, whether they are the top seed or not, are they ready to take the next step and make it to the NBA finals?

I say yes. If Russell Westbrook learns to be the Robin to Kevin Durant's Batman, the Thunder could be Western Conference Champions come year's end. 

West No.2: Dallas Mavericks

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Jason Kidd

SG-Vince Carter

SF-Shawn Marion

PF-Dirk Nowitzki

C-Brendan Haywood

Key Bench Players

G-Jason Terry

F-Lamar Odom

F-Brandan Wright

Head Coach-Rick Carlisle

The Dallas Mavericks are NBA Champions.

That's a phrase, I could hear a million times. Last year Dallas shocked the world by knocking off both the Lakers and the Heat en route to their first ever NBA Championship. 

But can they repeat?

The Mavs were hurt by losing two of their key players from last year's championship squad JJ Barea and Tyson Chandler. 

They did their best to replace them though with Lamar Odom, last season's Sixth man of the Year, and veteran former All-Star Vince Carter.

We all know what Nowitzki is capable of doing, and now with Odom and Terry both coming off the bench, the Mavs won't lose much at all when he has to take a break. 

Dallas has the odds stacked against them to repeat, but they have the roster capable of putting together one more championship run.

West No. 3: Los Angeles Lakers

Projected Starting Lineups

PG-Derek Fisher

SG-Kobe Bryant

SF-Metta World Peace

PF-Pau Gasol

C-Andrew Bynum

Key Bench Players

F-Matt Barnes

G-Steve Blake

F-Josh McRoberts

Head Coach-Mike Brown

While a lot of the talk has been on the other LA team this offseason, the Lakers remain the best team in Los Angeles and one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

After back to back championships, the Lakers were embarrassed by the Mavs in the second round of the playoffs last season, and will look to get back into championship form.

Missing will be two key members of those championship squads, Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom, and head coach Phil Jackson.

Losing the Zen master will certainly hurt the Lakers and only time will tell if Mike Brown was the right hire for the position or not.

Kobe Bryant will as usual be the key for this team; if he can play his best he's still one of the top five players in the NBA. But Kobe seems visibly frustrated  by losing Odom and not succeeding in getting Chris Paul or Dwight Howard in the offseason.

Bryant is also currently going through a highly-publicized divorce, so it certainly isn't out of the question to say that Bryant may not be at his best this season.

More likely than not however, Bryant will battle through and lead the Lakers to a high seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

West No 4: Portland Trail Blazers

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Raymond Felton

SG-Jamal Crawford

SF-Gerald Wallace

PF-LaMarcus Aldridge

C-Marcus Camby

Key Bench Players

G-Wesley Matthews

F-Nicolas Batum

C-Greg Oden

Head Coach-Nate McMillan 

The Blazers were many experts' upset pick in the first round of last year's playoffs, but ran into the buzz saw that was the eventual NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. 

Now however, Portland sports one of the more balanced rosters in the West that should lead them to be one of the best teams in the league.

In the backcourt, Portland has added underrated point guard Raymond Felton as well as experienced scorer Jamal Crawford, and in the frontcourt they are led by future All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace, their do-it-all small forward who they picked up in a trade from Charlotte last season.

Oklahoma City, Dallas and The Lakers seem to be the best three teams solidly in the West, but after that there are several talented teams who will jockey for position including the Blazers.

If Portland can play to their potential, then they could come out on top in that race and get themselves a home playoff series in the first round. 

West No. 5. Los Angeles Clippers

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Chris Paul

SG-Chauncey Billups

SF-Caron Butler

PF-Blake Griffin

C-DeAndre Jordan

Key Bench Players

G-Mo Williams

G-Randy Foye

F-Ryan Gomes

Head Coach-Vinny Del Negro

The Clippers were the talk of the NBA last week after acquiring Chris Paul in a trade from the New Orleans Hornets. 

Now with Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NBA, a sentence that has not been stated much at all in the last decade.

New acquisitions also include Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler, both former All-Stars who will ensure the Clippers are not just a two-man team.

While it is a bit premature to ask the "who's the better LA team?" question, The Clippers should make the playoffs this season, and have an opportunity to do some damage once they get there.

West No. 6: Memphis Grizzlies

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Mike Conley

SG-Toney Allen

SF-Rudy Gay

PF-Zach Randolph

C-Marc Gasol

Key Bench Players

G-O.J. Mayo

F-Darrell Arthur

G-Sam Young

Head Coach-Lionel Hollins

Like the Pacers in the East, I expect last year's No. 8 seed in the West to continue to make strides this season.

After shocking the Spurs in the first round last year, Memphis almost pulled off another upset before losing to Oklahoma City in seven games last year.

Now with a healthy Rudy Gay returning, Memphis will continue to be one of the better teams in the NBA. 

Zach Randolph has been a consistent All-Star player throughout his career, but he really showed he is capable of putting a team on his back in last year's playoffs. Gay and O.J. Mayo are both capable of putting up huge numbers, and Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are developing into being potential All-Stars.

All of that is a recipe for success in Memphis, and if wasn't for the stacked Western Conference, they could easily be at an even higher seed. 

West No. 7: San Antonio Spurs

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Tony Parker

SG-Gary Neal

SF-Richard Jefferson

PF-Tim Duncan

C-Antonio McDyess

Key Bench Players

G-Manu Ginobili

F-DeJaun Blair  

F-Kawhi Leonard 

Head Coach-Gregg Popovich

Will this be the year age finally catches up with the San Antonio Spurs? 

That has been the question surrounding this team for the last several years. 

The Spurs proved all their doubters wrong (in the regular season at least) and took home the best record in the regular season in the West last year. 

However, once the playoffs began they were overwhelmed by Memphis and fell in five games. 

The Spurs' roster remains mostly the same. Their "Big Three" are still there in Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, but in my opinion, the rest of the West's top teams have passed them by.

Duncan is 35 and Ginobili is 34, those are old in NBA years. If San Antonio had one last title run left in them, it would have been last year when the West was there for the taking.

The Spurs, however, still posses enough talent to make the playoffs if nothing else, and I expect them to be in the No. 4-No. 8 range for most of the season. 

West No. 8: Golden State Warriors

Projected Starting Lineups

PG_Stephen Curry

SG-Monta Ellis

SF-Dorell Wright

PF-David Lee

C-Andris Biedrins

Key Bench Players

G-Klay Thompson

F-Ekpe Udoh

C-Kwame Brown

Head Coach-Mark Jackson

I may be going out on a limb picking Golden State to reach the postseason, but they have enough pieces to challenge for a lower playoff spot this year.

Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis make up one of the better scoring backcourts in the NBA, the only problem is there may not be enough shots to go around.

David Lee also provides scoring on the inside, and the Warriors should be one of the top offensive teams in the league.

The question is will they play enough defense to secure a playoff spot? Mark Jackson has stated his emphasis will be on team defense, and if he can get his team to buy in it could equal enough wins for the playoffs.

Denver, Houston and Utah will also likely be in the playoff mix, but I'm going with the Warriors to take the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.