Round 1

Spurs(1) vs. Minnesota(8)
This should be a fairly easy series for the Spurs. Kevin Garnett is good, just not good enough to guard David Robinson and Tim Duncan by himself. Spurs in three.

Lakers (2) vs. Portland (7)
This was supposed to be the best series, a rematch of last year's Western Conference Finals. After the first game, it looks like a regular 2-seed vs. 7-seed series, especially since Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant look unstoppable. Lakers in three.

Sacramento (3) vs. Phoenix (6)
Jason Kidd will make Jason Williams wish he were in another profession. The Kings, however, do have another option in Bobby Jackson to defend Kidd. Shawn Marion will drive by Peja Stojakovic every play, but Peja will score as many points as Marion, counteracting Marion's effectiveness. Cliff Robinson and Tom Gugliotta are decent players, but neither can defend Chris Webber, who will lead his team to the next round in four games.

Utah (4) vs. Dallas (5)
This series has, after two games, shown the value of playoff experience. Inexperienced Dallas hurried their shots and complained throughout the first two games of the series, especially in the second game in which a total of 91 free-throws were attempted. Utah should finish off Dallas easily in three games.

Philadelphia (1) vs. Indiana (8)
What was supposed to be an easy series has turned out to be a dogfight, mainly because of Reggie Miller's annual playoff transformation into an unstoppable force (see Knicks v. Pacers, 1995, Game 5, 4th quarter). Unfortunately, beyond Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana doesn't have enough talent to make it past the 4th game of the series.

Milwaukee (2) vs. Orlando (7)
Tracy McGrady showed how good of a player he is by carrying the Magic to the playoffs. He will continue to show how good he is by carrying his team and finding the holes in an awful Bucks defense. Too bad he can't win three games. The Bucks offensive trio of Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, and Glenn Robinson will defeat the Magic in five.

Miami (3) vs. Charlotte (6)
Tim Hardaway getting injured is a blessing in disguise for the Heat - too bad it didn't happen earlier. The perimeter-based Hornets play an inside-out game with Baron Davis driving into the lane and kicking the ball out to Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley for money shots. Tim Hardaway's lack of quickness hurts the Heat, especially because he is too slow in rotating on the perimeter.
The Hornets defense and size on the frontline has prevented the Heat from playing inside, and has forced them to shoot from outside. And the Heat can't shoot - they've gone 11 - 40 from 3, compared to 13 - 25 for Charlotte. Charlotte in four.

New York (4) vs. Toronto (5)
Vince Carter is the best player in this series. Alvin Williams has shown the ability to play well under pressure. But the Knicks are a veteran team that matches up fairly well with the Raptors and doesn't like to lose. This series will come down to the preparation that Jeff Van Gundy provides for his veteran team, which will overshadow Lenny Wilkens' attempted motivation for his inexperienced squad. But it's going to be close. Game 5 close, with the Knicks eking out the victory.

Round 2

Spurs vs. Utah
The Spurs will beat Utah using the same game plan that they used to beat Minnesota. Tim Duncan. David Robinson, if necessary. And if all else fails, Derek Anderson. John Stockton and Karl Malone are still good, and age won't stop them from winning this series. No-talents Greg Ostertag and company will do that. Utah will bow out quietly in five games.

Lakers vs. Sacramento
Another fun series. As good as Chris Webber is, Shaq is better. Predrag Stojakovic can hit a shot from anywhere on the court - but you know what - Kobe Bryant is still better. Though the Kings' role players Doug Christie and Jason Williams are better than the Lakers' Derek Fisher and Rick Fox, after seven games Shaq and Kobe will bring the Lakers one series closer to defending their title.

Knicks vs. Philly
The Knicks defense may be good, but nobody can stop Allen Iverson. The Knicks will not be able to make up for their inability to stop Iverson defensively by playing well offensively. Philly wins in a tight, six game contest.

Charlotte vs. Milwaukee
The only team to upset in the first round will not repeat their success against the Bucks. Charlotte has been a streaky team all year, at times looking like the best team in the league. But they're not. And the Bucks will remind them of that. The Hornets, who will beat the Heat by using their speed, will have that advantage neutralized as the Bucks are a much quicker team than the Heat and will be able to rotate as necessary. The Bucks should sweep this series.

Round 3

Lakers vs. Spurs
This should be a classic series that will have the same storyline as the Lakers' previous series: Shaq and Kobe vs. (insert team name here). Unfortunately for the Lakers, they have to face the Spurs, a team that is more solid than Shaq and Kobe. The Spurs strength is their depth - they have Duncan and Robinson, but they also have Terry Porter, Sean Elliot and Avery Johnson. Heck, even Danny Ferry can score. The Spurs should beat the Lakers in an exhilarating seven games.

Philly vs. Milwaukee
The Sixers' defense is good. Very good, in fact. But so is the Bucks offense. Dikembe Mutombo's defensive presence will be minimized because the Bucks' big men aren't good to begin with. But, Milwaukee is a good perimeter shooting team that likes to get out into the open court. Cassell, Allen and Robinson will carry the Bucks to the Finals in six.

Spurs vs. Milwaukee
Not having any big men will kill the Bucks in this series. Tim Thomas and Ervin Johnson will not be able to guard David Robinson and Tim Duncan. It will be a close series, as the Spurs don't have anyone to guard Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen or even Sam Cassell. But they do have Tim Duncan, the game's most complete player and Finals' MVP. The Spurs should win another championship, albeit in no less than six games.