1. Dirk Nowitzki is carrying himself like Larry Bird, unflappable and clutch, which means this could be a special season for the Mavericks. His teammates are playing well, and San Antonio is navigating a much tougher road. Dallas could take over the driver's seat by winning Game 4 ...

2. ... but winning Game 4 should be impossible if the Grizzlies have any pride. Should Memphis lose, its effort will be overshadowed by coming up 0-for-4 in the postseason again.

3. Watching the Nets play so well in some games and so inconsistently in others could be the result of the fact that they typically have only four options. If Shareef Abdur-Rahim had been signed as planned, New Jersey would seem like a lock to reach the Eastern Conference finals. As it is now, they're 2-2 and trying to escape the first round.

4. Count the fans in Auburn Hills among the surprised that they'll get to host another game in this Bucks series. It's now a longer show for their playoff buck, and another opportunity for young Milwaukee to learn what it takes to win on the road in the playoffs.

5. It's going to take some superb coaching from George Karl to get the Nuggets ready to play an elimination game in Los Angeles next week. The Clippers manhandled Denver in its house, never letting the crowd into it and seemingly closing up shop in the fourth quarter of a rout. At no point did it look like there was a comeback in store. The Nugs seemed disinterested.

6. He's heavily influenced by Vlade Divac, but I see more Arvydas Sabonis in Nenad Krstic, from a confidence standpoint and in the fluidity in which the two make decisions and utilize crafty moves around the basket. Remember, Krstic is still only 22 and learning on the go. He's going to be a beast around 2009.

7. After a poor series opener, Michael Redd has earned every penny of the $90 million contract he earned this past offseason. He's evolved into a leader and always promises to give the Bucks a chance. Milwaukee was right to build around him.

8. Fred Jones didn't respond well to his starting assignment, failing to give Rick Carlisle the boost of energy he expected when he placed him in the mix ahead of rookie Danny Granger, who struggled in his Game 2 start. Some players are just better suited coming off the bench, and it might bode well for Carlisle to go with Austin Croshere if Peja Stojakovic is unavailable for Game 5.

9. While Nuggets fans might say Chris Kaman should've been ejected for his shove, keep in mind that Ron Artest wasn't ejected for his punch, and Kwame Brown wasn't ejected for a similar push against the Suns in Game 3, and he stood over the guy. It will be interesting whether the league office will continue sending messages and sideline Kaman. The guess here is no.

10. A little NFL Draft-related take in defense of the delicate balance of life offering the good with the bad: As New Orleans struggles to rebuild from the tragic effects caused by Katrina, it lands Chris Paul, the most exciting point guard to come around in years, and now Reggie Bush, a once-in-a-lifetime running back. Both are destined to bring a lot of joy to good people who deserve it.

1. LeBron James sent Washington -- and the entire world -- a message in Game 3: Don't ever call me out. Don't ever disrespect me. He relished in breaking the Wizards' hearts, scoring 41 points, knocking down the game-winner and reclaiming his throne. The Wizards were a little too proud of their effort in Game 2, basically implying they roughed him up into staying out of the paint. Guess 'Bron went to the store and bought himself some tougher skin.

2. The million-dollar question revolves around how Lakers coach Phil Jackson got Kobe Bryant to buy into what he was selling: total teamwork come playoffs. That's not a knock on Bryant, as I think it is commendable that he agreed, but understand, this is not how the team has played all season, so why now? Were they sand-bagging? Luke Walton looks very impressive, Lamar Odom has been consistently great, Kwame Brown is solid and Smush Parker led the team in scoring, for goodness sakes. L.A. was delightful to watch.

3. Kevin Martin's layup was incredible. Through the magic of TiVo: A ridiculous reverse scoop with magical backspin that took four caroms on the rim before going down. There, it was hugged by Ron Artest as he ran off the floor with it, his teammates still pumping fists and popping jerseys. It was almost as if the ball was the polar opposite of its evil, Game 2-tying sibling.

4. What to dissect from the Suns/Lakers third-quarter skirmish? Brown not only pushed Boris Diaw while the Frenchman tried to tangle him up, but also stood over him. Bill Walton thought that was innocent, which proves my point. Then Nash and Bryant, the respective bosses, got into it, and got their guys in check. It provided great insight into the hierarchy of the squads, as well as the mood of this playoff series. It's a turf battle led by two of the most gifted guards of the past decade.

5. Triple shot of Cavs-Wizards insight: LeBron James' game-winner was all about superior strength. Now, Gilbert Arenas can hit the open look he missed that would've won it 15 consecutive times -- at least. Whoa, the ones that get away. Actually, woe the ones that get away -- James sounds like he's been watching Michael Jordan videotapes on how he handles himself in press conferences. He's the 21-year old version, so it sounds weird, but you can tell who he models himself after.

6. The Kings proved Game 1 was an aberration. They can play with San Antonio, pretty evenly. They've got an uphill battle. As good as they are, the Spurs are better. You know what it is, they have too many superior weapons now. Parker is at that level, Ginobili has this certain mystique and Tim Duncan looks like he's getting back to his old self. However, Sacramento believes, and that's dangerous.

7. It's not like Shawn Marion isn't playing hard, but he's obviously pressing. Some would call it choking. Nevermind the 20 points, seven rebounds; those are just numbers. He missed so many makeable shots around the basket, including a layup that would've cut it to 89-86. Instead, he clanked it, and Odom made a difficult layup on his end, extending the lead to seven. He was out-boarded by Lamar Odom by eight. Marion is one of the top rebounders in the NBA, not Odom. The Matrix is getting schooled.

8. This is why Ron Artest wanted out of Indiana. He wanted to be the man that had the ball in his hands in crucial situations. Rick Adelman gave him the opportunity and he came through with knifing layups and strong defensive stops, putting the Kings in position to win.

9. Told you so on the Posey suspension (4/28 Top 10, item No. 7). A one-game penalty was inevitable. Anyone who expected otherwise is a fool.

10. Brad Miller was the most active he's looked all series, and though he's still out of sync, if he's closer to getting over whatever has been holding him back, that will definitely bode well for Sacramento. They have been misssing his energy.

1. Jermaine O'Neal obviously won the batttle with Nenad Krstic, routing the second-year pro 37-9. However, that wasn't the real battle. Krstic picked up his second and third fouls first, and that was truly the difference. To take nothing away from O'Neal's brilliant 12/15 FG, 13/14 FT, 15-rebound, four-block performance, it was just as vital that Krstic was crippled, as it took an important wrinkle out of the Jersey offense. He fouled out with 3:23 to go. O'Neal said he concentrated on moving around and giving the Nets different looks to keep them from getting comfortable.

2. Denver won ugly, which is perhaps the only way it can win these days, but at least it lives to fight another day. All those fouls, turnovers and poor decisions really made the game unwatchable, but if you're a Nuggets fan, you call it gritty and feel blessed. It would've been easy to use Kenyon Martin's suspension as an excuse to quit, but instead they found a way. Carmelo Anthony's effort tells the story: an aesthetically disturbing game-high 24 points. Hey, whatever it takes.

3. It was a reversal of the first two games in Miami/Chicago in terms of the big men. Chicago's guys weren't bad at all, while Shaquille O'Neal was limited by foul trouble and turnovers, Alonzo Mourning didn't look healthy at all, either. Sunday will be a measuring stick game for the Diesel. Old School Shaq would come out and get 40. If he struggles again, you'll start hearing that he's simply Old Shaq.

4. Anthony Johnson outplayed Jason Kidd for the second game in this series, tallying 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds. He showed more energy, composure and offensive prowess than the superstar he backed up in a former life, and has become the difference in the series because he hasn't been in awe and hasn't backed down. Backcourt-mate Stephen Jackson, hit-or-miss in this series, was also back on his game.

5. I was on the Miami Heat Magazine radio show prior to their game, and the hosts and I were joking about how inept the Bulls were defensively against O'Neal, having no one to guard him that they pretty much looked like a high school team. I quipped, so does Miami defensively, and they laughed and agreed. Well, I'm taking that back. The Heat play defense like the South Beach Geriatric Unit, slow, often confused, often disinterested. Miami gave up a 39-point third quarter, allowing 72 percent shooting. This game should serve as a wake-up call if they think they're coming close to challenging the Pistons given how they're playing. Canasta, anyone?

6. Mike Dunleavy calls Chris Kaman the "white Tim Duncan" and expects him to be dominant in the future, but the only thing the Hulk Hogan look-alike shared with the "Big Fundamental" on Thursday night was that it looked like he was playing in pain. He came in limited by an ankle sprain and it showed. He offered L.A. next to nothing -- literally. Two points, five fouls. If he can't get back to being his normal self, put this Clipper coronation on hold.

7. James Posey will be suspended for Game 4 of the Miami/Chicago series. Count on it. The play happened right in front of league disciplinarian Stu Jackson, who felt he saw Posey sizing up Kirk Hinrich coming down the floor before he side-swiped him. Imagine the message the NBA sends if Posey isn't suspended. Yep, I'm talking about the discrimination against Ron Artest. You've got to love when one series affects another.

8. Anyone else wondering why the Nuggets were settling for so many jump shots when they had the entire Clipper squad in foul trouble in the fourth quarter? George Karl must have been close to pulling his last hair out.

9. Chicago center Mike Sweetney was nearly benched, be it for Tyson Chandler, Luke Schenscher or the tall guy in the fifth row. Scott Skiles made the decision to stick with his normal life and Sweets repaid him with an inspired effort, using his big body to be disruptive and active inside. It was a nice unexpected response.

10. Great to see Michael Jordan supporting the Bulls as feverishly as he appears to be doing. I wonder if he's going to head to Washington to root for the Wizards tomorrow? No go? Maybe there isn't enough gas in the M.J. jet ...

1. During their 19-0 first-half run, the Lakers played a caliber of defense I haven't seen from them all year. They had the Suns rattled, made ball movement difficult by chasing relentlessly, left them settling for jumpers and limited second chances. Impressive. The numerous charges they took speak of a team that stood its ground and made excellent judgment based on what they saw of the Game 1 film. If they can do that consistently for stretches throughout the series, they'll have a legitimate shot at this upset.

2. I'm convinced it's impossible to beat the Pistons when Tayshaun Prince has it going like he did on Wednesday night. You know Ben Wallace isn't going to really get touches, but when Prince joins All-Stars Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton as major threats, it becomes impossible to key on anyone. Couple that with the relentless defense, and Detroit becomes unbeatable. The ball movement created 30 assists, and that's because everyone had it going. Prince makes all the difference in that. Everyone but Rasheed shot over 50 percent.

3. The Mavericks completely took Pau Gasol out of things, allowing him no field goals in the second and third quarters to take away the Grizzlies main avenue of offense. If Memphis can't even get him the ball in scoring position, Avery Johnson can't complain about the effort of his team as he did after Game 1. After that first quarter, Dallas got a hearty earful and responded.

4. Steve Nash-for-MVP advocates got a ton of ammo in the first quarter, as he did exactly what a player worthy of the award is supposed to do: whatever it takes. Nash saw his team was struggling to score, so he took it upon himself with 15 of their first 20 points, negating the Lakers' fast start. He then paced the third quarter surge that made the game tight. Imagine how bad the Suns would've been beat without him. Meanwhile, Kobe enthusiasts miffed at reports that Nash did repeat can point to the scoreboard, Bryant's huge shots all night long, and that sick posterizing dunk which will become future barbershop fodder; it should have been a charge.

5. It will be interesting to see where the Bucks' mentality entering Game 3, because a young team facing the unbelievably tall task of beating the two-time defending conference champions at their house has to at least be proud that they never quit. They must view this entire series as a learning experience and try to extend it for that sake alone.

6. Bobby Jackson and Chucky Atkins are failing at running the Grizzlies' offense, which reminds us how significant the loss of Damon Stoudamire was. Jet Terry used both of them, setting up his teammates and creating offense for himself.

7. Lamar Odom destroyed Shawn Marion. He lacked any energy until the third quarter, was victimized inside and was late on a number of occasions to get in his face on 3-point attempts. He looked like he was playing with that weight-laden flak jacket he's got on in his energy drink commercial. Too bad Odom isn't some random rec league gym rat. The Suns have to be hopeful this doesn't become a recurring theme like it did last year against the Spurs.

8. It was encouraging to see Rip Hamilton knock down his final jumper and appear to be moving fluidly after not only coming in with ankle concerns, but landing on another foot and having to go immediately to the bench. A heavy sigh of relief is merited, and I wouldn't let him practice anything other than the art of applying heavy ice over the next day or two.

9. Considering how much time second-year guard Devin Harris missed late in the season, he's looking extremely fluid and resolute in getting to the hoop. Harris is an x-factor, both in this series and most important, down the road against the Spurs and beyond. Besides his ball handling, he adds another dimension with his explosiveness and long frame on the defensive end. It's also a good sign that he's playing confidently in the playoffs; he averaged only nine minutes a game in postseason action as a rookie.

10. The Suns-Lakers series is clearly among the most competitive and definitely the most enjoyable to watch in this first round. All the strategies that come into play and the bad blood between some of the players make it sublime.

1. LeBron James fell victim to some nice Eddie Jordan adjustments, but the biggest reason for his poor Game 2 was the presence of Caron Butler, who despite foul trouble, got the better of the King. While Antawn Jamison was inactive early, Butler picked up the offensive slack and made James work trying to stop him. Late in the game, he knocked down a huge 3-pointer to make it 75-71, and set up the crucial game-defining Gilbert Arenas' three-point play by ripping James at halfcourt. Butler provides the Wizards a sense of toughness they get from no one else.

2. It's painful, but considering what happened in Game 1, the Kings aren't dead yet. Sacramento can revel in how Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim became leaders, Brad Miller responded on defense and young guys Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia made great contributions. It was everything they could've wanted, and gives Kings fans hope that with Ron Artest back and the home court the next two games, they're still in this thing. It's also an interesting turn of events for Rick Adelman in terms of his future. Does he want back? Will it be his choice?

3. Vince Carter came out and killed all the drama with his 5-for-5 start. Focused to not let his Game 1 struggles become a part of the sequel, he came out poised to dominate, scoring 10 the first 12 and setting the tone that this was Jersey's turn. Jason Kidd was equally determined, with his 11 boards and 13 assists atoning for the energy he lacked on Sunday.

4. Brent Barry's shot to tie up the Kings at 109 had a personality. Did you see that ball roll up in the air in a perfect oval and make a decision halfway down that the entire city of Sacramento's hearts needed to be broken? It was evil.

5. The best player on the court in any of Tuesday's three games was clearly Drew Gooden. Gooden embarrassed the Washington big men, pulling away rebounds, angrily snaring loose balls, finishing emphatically with Shaq-like tenacity and firing outlet passes like Randy Johnson fastballs. He was brilliant, and it's too bad his effort was wasted. He was the enforcer Cleveland has always wanted him to be.

6. Peja Stojakovic being injured actually did have an effect on the Pacers, who lacked anyone to stretch the floor. It felt strange that they failed to respond so drastically without him, as you would think someone would step up and threaten from the perimeter. The Nets took advantage that no responded, sending bodies at O'Neal in enclosed spaces.

7. While it's easy to look at the box score and say, "the Wizards won because their Big Three combined for 72 points", it goes a little deeper than that. With Cleveland up 57-50 in the third and threatening to pull away in what had been a tight game throughout, Antawn Jamison, delivered a four-point play and Arenas followed with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer of his own. All of a sudden the game was tight again. In the fourth, Jamison hit shot after shot, while Arenas bailed out young teammate Billy Thomas with a great defensive play. After Thomas missed a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, giving the Cavs a chance to tie with a three, Arenas' saved a potential basket from Anderson Varejao down low by stripping him cleanly.

8. Aside from Fred Jones, nobody on the Pacers bench brought anything, which is why they looked so inept offensively. Scott Pollard came in and got dominated by Nenad Krstic; David Harrison picked up two fouls in a minute; Austin Croshere looked like he was struggling to move; and Jamaal Tinsley looked like he doesn't need to play much in the series. You see the way Jacque Vaughn ripped him so easily? Sarunas Jasikevicius should get those minutes and be playing more in the series. He's got some heavy Euro postseason experience that could come to use. That's why he was brought in, right?

9. Don't lose sight of the importance of the two third-quarter offensive fouls that Jared Jeffries' dexterity drew on James. It didn't keep LeBron out long because Mike Brown gambled and left him out there pretty much the rest of the way, but it did hamper how aggressive he could be on both ends and contributed to his 10 turnovers.

10. Jermaine O'Neal can't find it right now. Can't avoid foul trouble, settling for jumpers, showing too much aggressiveness on one end and not enough on the other. That's a bonehead game, and he's got to be better than that. Nenad Krstic handled him one-on-one at times, and no second-year player in the league outside of Dwight Howard should be doing him like that.

Bonus Reflection: Eva Longoria is averaging her fair share of face time, which isn't a bad thing. She's looking strong, a much more attractive alternative to Clipper boy Billy Crystal.

1. You could tell it was going to be a great night for Miami pretty early. Shaq drew a single foul in the opening half; Wade was moving around nicely on his hindered calf. That bit of poetry was music to Pat Riley's ears.

2. Carmelo Anthony has obviously become the heart and soul of the Nuggets, but after a season in which he carried them through difficult stretches, his teammates have completely abandoned him come playoffs. Sure, zero points and three fouls in the game's first 14 minutes were his sin, but could a few other guys step up at all? They were down 36-13 at that point because outside of Marcus Camby, no heart was shown.

3. Shaquille O'Neal's largest impact on the game came during a five-minute second quarter stretch in response to Miami falling behind 38-37. He passed out of a pair of double teams for consecutive 3-pointers and then took full advantage when Scott Skiles inserted Eric Piatkowski for Andres Nocioni, employing a small lineup. Malik Allen could do nothing to stop the Diesel, doubles didn't come fast enough, and O'Neal came through with six points, punctuated by a dunk that made it 58-49.

4. Miami's final scoring flurry of four points in five seconds had a large effect on the game, but it was far more damaging than what it meant on the scoreboard. Having no one in the paint to stop a driving Jason Williams, compounded by a lazy in-bounds pass from Michael Sweetney that Dwyane Wade stole and dunked at the buzzer was an indication of mental exhaustion setting in. The Bulls tired of having to deal with an uphill climb all half and ultimately began an avalanche that failed to end until it was too late to do anything about.

5. Elton Brand offered proof as to why he should receive more MVP consideration than he ultimately will. His 5-for-5 start put the finishing touches on the Nuggets' first quarter dominance after teammates Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman sparked the Clippers in the game's opening minutes.

6. For one night, the Heat's preseason acquisitions were the forces they were expected to be. Jason Williams was brilliant, knocking down jumpers, making deft passes, and forcing turnovers. Antoine Walker was aggressive without being careless, not to mention taking care of business on the boards on a night where that was badly needed. James Posey provided strong defense and was a solid scoring threat for the second consecutive game, again reaching double figures. Gary Payton provided toughness and a breather for J-Will. That's the blue print, but it's got to become consistent for Miami fans to genuinely grow hopeful of challenging the Pistons.

7. If the Bulls had any inside threat whatsoever, they would be a much more formidable squad with a legitimate shot at winning this series. Tyson Chandler has never had much offense, but what's happened to bulky Michael Sweetney, who was a serviceable threat earlier in the season? He's disappeared completely, and against a team like Miami who thrives in transition, not being able to slow the game down is poisonous.

8. Hey, can you imagine if Brand was still on the Bulls?

9. Alonzo Mourning was testing his partially torn calf muscle was by dunking an hour and a half before the game, but was ultimately held out. Considering the Heat have built a 2-0 advantage, it might become easier for Riley to be even more cautious with his veteran big man, who will certainly be vital to the team's fortunes down the road.

10. The contrast in size between backup point guards Shaun Livingston and Earl Boykins is astounding. There are about 15 inches between the two, and when Livingston is extending his wing span at the top of the key to man up on defense, he looks like a giant spider getting set to swallow a waterbug as his prey.

1. The game-deciding foul in New Jersey/Indiana was undoubtedly a phantom call, which will make observing the officiating in Game 2 very interesting. In a series in which pretty much every game should come down to the wire, one whistle can make a huge difference.

2. The observation that Anthony Johnson is the best point guard for the Pacers has been validated. The Pacers wouldn't have beaten the Nets without him, as he was a giant factor on both ends of the floor.

3. Although the Lakers definitely let a winnable game slip away, they can take solace in the fact that Kobe Bryant should certainly be able to win them a game single-handedly. L.A. seems to match up really well with Phoenix, and should be able to hang around in enough games to allow Bryant to bring the Lakers home.

4. The effort Phoenix got from Tim Thomas is precisely what it needs to persevere without Amare Stoudemire. Steve Nash and Shawn Marion are MVP candidates, but in every game the Suns play this postseason, they will need Thomas, Boris Diaw or Raja Bell to stand out.

5. If Richard Jefferson could knock down a few open jump shots, the Nets would be a formidable contender to reach the Eastern Conference finals and push the Pistons. Since his shot remains erratic, they remain a potential first round casualty.

6. Nobody does defense like Detroit. Under Rick Carlisle, Larry Brown and now Flip Saunders, there has been consistent progress in the fundamental art of having your teammate's back.

7. Unless Michael Redd goes off for 40 points and stretches the Pistons defense, the Bucks don't have a prayer. T.J. Ford is a solid creator, but Milwaukee lacks the offensive options to even compete. There's little inside and almost nothing outside to even pose a challenge. It doesn't matter how hard Milwaukee plays. There just isn't enough talent in place to even make a dent.

8. While you shouldn't expect Memphis to come through and actually upset Dallas, the team does look it belongs competing on this level. The Grizzlies will win a game in this series, ending their embarrassing string of being swept in every postseason series in their existence.

9. It's not something that can be said often, but Erick Dampier was the superior center on the floor in what could be a recurring theme against Memphis. Jake Tsakalidis and Lorenzen Wright don't figure to offer much resistance, and the normally reserved Dampier actually looked inspired in racking up a double-double.

10. Things between the Grizzlies and Mavs got ugly late, as Memphis became frustrated with faltering and became increasingly physical. Considering Dallas has become decidedly tougher under Avery Johnson, it's probably a good idea for Memphis to up its intensity.

1. LeBron James said he had a cold. I just saw the reincarnation of Michael Jordan. A triple-double in his first playoff game? That's the stuff of legends.

2. Hey Shaquille, we missed you this year. It's understandable that you wanted to conserve energy. However, you need to check yourself and not compromise the opinion people have of you. It's still your world.

3.Tony Parker has been the Spurs most formidable, consistent threat this season, and any doubts that he'd continue to be so now that nitty gritty time has been reached were quelled quickly. He's turned the corner. Once, when he was younger, you could see the trepidation and doubt on his face. Now, he's a vet. More than that -- he's a leader.

4. The only way the Bulls will even challenge the Heat is if they get Ben Gordon to be fantastic all series. He's a special player who can elevate his game to a playoff-winning level the way none of his teammates can. That's why it's disconcerting that despite a 13-for-26, 35-point performance, Chicago couldn't get over the hump. It might have been the best chance it had to steal a win.

5. Why does Quentin Ross have the ball in his hands with only a two-point lead and 8-0 run already conspiring against you? The Clippers can't afford those types of miscues, and were lucky they recovered from having Denver even things up with just over a minute to go. Mike Dunleavy has to tell his team how lucky they were to overcome blowing a 16-point lead and must demand they be smarter. It's on him, having playoff experience, as much as it is everybody.

6. If you want to understand why the Spurs will be so difficult to dethrone, Game 1 of their first-round series with Sacramento provides an answer. Not only did they kill the Kings, they did so with Nazr Mohammed being a more formidable threat than Tim Duncan. Weapons... that's the difference.

7. Elton Brand's block on Carmelo Anthony in the final minute of the Clippers' victory over Denver was the stuff an MVP provides. If you believe in that team, that's why you can sleep at night. Whatever it takes, he'll provide.

8. Home-court advantage reared its head on the opening day. The regular season is too long, but it has a purpose. It's survival of the fittest, and that difference pulled four teams through on Saturday.

9. Udonis Haslem made a mistake by throwing his mouthpiece at the ref. That's obvious, and not exactly the most remarkable of observations. However, in a playoff series where your teammates are counting on you to be a factor, that type of behavior is simply irresponsible. He should be suspended for Game 2, but ultimately, that should serve as a detractor from ever doing anything like that again.

10. Antawn Jamison had a poor outing, and sometimes that does happen. Can it occur in the postseason when everyone is watching? Nope. Can you be outscored by Cavs reserve Donyell Marshall and expect to win? There's no way.

The playoffs are set.

Biggest winner: Indiana, which will upset New Jersey in the opening round of the playoffs and move on to play Miami in what should be a very interesting series.

The reason why the Pacers will best the Nets is that Jermaine O'Neal has fresh legs and is peaking at the perfect time. Who does New Jersey have to stop him? With apologies to the ever-improving Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins, there's nobody who can even contain O'Neal. The heat will be on Stephen Jackson to contain Vince Carter, but Anthony Johnson is an underrated defender who will do enough against Jason Kidd to keep him honest, leaving it up to Richard Jefferson to get his and win the series. That won't happen. Indiana is deeper, tougher, and I expect it to get it done.

Chicago won a big one against Miami last weekend, but isn't tough enough inside to contain a playoff-mode Shaquille O'Neal. It's well known that Dwyane Wade struggles against his hometown team, but he's a clutch enough performer to ensure that Miami advances.

Milwaukee, left out in the cold as the No. 8 seed, might win one game against Detroit, and if that occurs, the Bucks should be content with a season in which they took a step forward.

Washington has Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and star guard Gilbert Arenas playing so well that its series against Cleveland is going to be a toss-up, making it fun to watch. The challenge is out there for my MVP, LeBron James, to elevate his game and carry his team into Round 2.

Out West, kudos to the Lakers for doing what they had to by blowing out the Hornets, never leaving the result in doubt to earn a much more winnable series matchup with Phoenix. San Antonio would simply be too much for L.A. to handle, as the Spurs will be for Sacramento.

Speaking of props, what more is left to say about Ray Allen, who never left his record-setting performance in doubt against Denver, knocking down five 3-pointers in the first quarter to tie Dennis Scott for the most trifectas in a single season. He hit No. 6 in the second, calling it an early night and giving the Seattle faithful something big to cheer for, as well as hope for a brighter future.

You've got to love that the Memphis/L.A. Clippers game didn't feature Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman, Cuttino Mobley, Corey Maggette or Vladimir Radmanovic.

That would've never happened had these two been fighting for homecourt advantage in a 4-5 matchup in the Western Conference, which is what's wrong with the current seeding system. Still, because James Singleton had a superb night, the Clips staged a late comeback to make their 101-95 loss look respectable. In fairness, the five players on the court in the final minutes all wanted to win the game, but it's not like the Clips' comeback effort would've featured Daniel Ewing, Zeljko Rebraca, Walter McCarty or Boniface N'dong.

Mike Miller's 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining clinched things, making it 99-93, and with that shot -- as well as the personnel decisions made by both coaches -- two playoff matchups are set. The Grizzlies retained the sharpness they'll need leading into a brawl with Dallas. The L.A. Clippers rested their regulars for what will be a weekend home game to start their series against Denver.

It is what it is, and until the competition committee can get the NBA to make some changes, L.A. did nothing wrong. The Clippers avoid the Spurs and Mavericks until a potential Western Conference Finals.

Now onto the teams that did genuinely care about winning on Tuesday night:

Sacramento prevented the entire Western Conference playoff picture from coming into focus, outlasting Seattle 111-105.

There was a chance that Ray Allen's chase for the single-season 3-pointers record would become a distraction, but the fact is the Sonics stood their ground and forced Ron Artest and Co. to remain on the court until the game's final minute. Kudos to both teams, but as a result, the Kings force the Lakers into a must-win situation at home on Wednesday against the Hornets. With a loss, L.A. would slip into the No. 8 spot and draw the top-seeded Spurs.

Based on what both teams have done lately, the Lakers should win easily, but you shouldn't expect former L.A. star Byron Scott to take it easy on his former squad by benching Chris Paul or any other member of the team physically capable of playing. That means that Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown, the three responsible for L.A. making the playoffs, must extend themselves to the fullest.

Meanwhile, Allen's quest for the record is still alive, as he knocked down five 3-pointers to get to within five of the NBA's single-season mark. If I were a betting man, Wednesday's finale against the Nuggets at Key Arena will be all about getting him those shots.

Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler combined for 93 points, leading the Wizards to an impressive 116-103 home win that guarantees they'll finish out of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The victory also makes them the favorite to finish fifth, provided they can win in Detroit on Wednesday night, a task that will likely be made easier by the fact that the Pistons are expected to rest their starters for most, if not all, of the game. Should they prevail, it will make for an exciting series that will be highlighted by a reunion with former teammate Larry Hughes.

The Bucks are left to root against Indiana and Chicago on Wednesday night -- both will be favored to win -- to avoid falling to the No. 8 spot and drawing dreaded Detroit.

Milwaukee, I didn't know you had it in you.

It's understood that Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince were all held out and Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups played limited minutes, but to lead Detroit 87-58 after three quarters is flat-out impressive.

It's not like Antonio McDyess, Carlos Delfino, Maurice Evans and Dale Davis aren't veterans who will play a large role in the Pistons' playoff rotation, you know? Milwaukee came out with great urgency and never let up, getting big games from all its regulars. Bobby Simmons, who hasn't had the greatest of seasons, had a very strong game, while Andrew Bogut continued his impressive play down the stretch. Write it down -- he'll be a big factor come playoffs.

Indiana, I did know you had it in you.

In thrashing the Raptors, the Pacers showed they're ready for the postseason, scoring 70 in the opening half and leading by as many as 37 points. Jermaine O'Neal is healthy and serving as a strong factor on both sides of the floor, and Anthony Johnson has been brilliant as the floor general. Even when Jamaal Tinsley comes back, he needs to make his contributions off the bench. The Pacers respond better when Johnson is out there and have all year, not to mention the fact Johnson deserves to be rewarded for his efforts.

Peja Stojakovic shooting the ball well was also key, and it's evident that the Pacers are a drastically different basketball team when he's effective. After a few down seasons, the verdict on him will come this postseason. He's got a chance to re-make his reputation as one of the game's feared snipers.

Credit the Chicago Bulls for fighting back and beating Orlando in overtime to keep pace with their Central Division brethren. The Magic have been playing phenomenal basketball of late, beating the likes of the Pistons, Mavs and Spurs, and they deserve credit for going out there and not lying down even though the playoffs are out of reach. Hedo Turkoglu, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, the trio most responsible for the team's resurgence, all had very good games, and yet the Bulls were able to overcome their efforts, not to mention an off game from Ben Gordon, to claim their ninth win in 10 outings. Luol Deng is balling, Kirk Hinrich is making big shots and big passses, and there are no words to describe what Andres Nocioni has become over the last few weeks.

The victories mean absolutely nothing is decided in the Eastern Conference, but does make Tuesday night's Bucks-Wizards game in D.C. one of the most important of the season. If the Wizards can't win their home finale, they will fall behind Milwaukee in terms of seeding and might need to beat the Pistons in Auburn Hills on Wednesday to avoid slipping to No. 8 and playing them in the first round.

Speaking of top seeds, congratulations to the Spurs for wrapping theirs up. Must be nice to be able to blow out the Andrei Kirilenko-less Jazz with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili only playing enough minutes to stay sharp. It's got to be frustrating for a 60-win Dallas team to have to be the fourth seed, but those are the breaks. Unless the competition committee makes a compelling argument this summer, the same situation might arise next year.

Tuesday should bring us the first answers we'll get as far as playoff matchups are concerned, but it sure is interesting -- and fun -- that not everything is settled entering the next-to-last day of the season.

The final full week of the regular season brought closure. The 16 teams that will be a part of this season's playoffs have now officially qualified, with Washington, Chicago and Sacramento all locking up bids.

Sunday was a day filled with blowouts throughout the league, and the most impressive result was the first one of the day, a Bulls victory in Miami. Yes, the Heat had little to play for, but Chicago really took it to them in the first half, with Luol Deng looking fully recovered from his concussion and emerging as the best player on the court. Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal rested for most of the second half but shot a combined 7-for-20, whereas Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon continued the high level of play they've been enjoying recently. If the Bulls end up as the No. 7 seed, their 117-93 victory will give them a lot of confidence that they can make it a series, although they know they didn't take the Heat's best punch.

Washington proved how different a team it is with Caron Butler in the lineup and looked strong in a rout of Cleveland, which may well end up being its first round foe. LeBron James played 30 minutes, which was probably about 15 too long as he returns from an ankle injury. It was obvious that the Cavs weren't very interested in playing, though, and the Wizards should expect to see a much different version should the teams meet next week.

San Antonio had a very productive evening, resting Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for most of its win over Minnesota. When Beno Udrih is leading you in scoring and you still win by 13, you know you're deep and talented. That, and Minnesota is really awful.

Ben Gordon saved one of the finest individual performances of the season for the perfect time, knocking down all nine of his 3-point field goal attempts to help the Bulls edge Washington. Coupled with the Sixers loss in Miami, Chicago is now in prime position to make the playoffs, and should actually have its sights set on climbing out of the No. 8 spot and looking to do some damage.

Ironically, they can solidify their position on Sunday against a team they wouldn't mind facing, the Heat. At this point, anyone but the Pistons will do. The task might be simpler than usual, too, as Shaquille O'Neal can expect to see his minutes decrease in order to rest up for next week's playoffs. The Heat are already locked into the No. 2 position.

Indiana and Milwaukee also took care of business on Friday night to pull even with slumping Washington for seeds Nos. 5-7. The Bucks hold the tie-breaker, and it's clear that when they get production from Joe Smith and Andrew Bogut up front, they're a completely different team than the one that has struggled down the stretch.

The Pacers took advantage of the absence of Kevin Garnett and got another strong game from Jermaine O'Neal (29 points, 12 rebounds) to keep pace. The win could be costly however, as Peja Stojakovic sprained his wrist, adding to the misery of another hard luck Indiana season. It obviously won't be a new experience for Rick Carlisle to have to wonder about the availability of one of his key cogs.

If Philadelphia wants to make the playoffs, it had better plan on running the table. Once again, the Sixers were done in by a lack of production from a supporting cast that had been playing so well over the last few games but has been ineffective for much of the season.

In the Western Conference, Utah officially ended the playoff aspirations of the young Hornets, and in the process put additional pressure on Sacramento, moving just one game out. The Jazz have visits to Dallas and San Antonio to deal with next week, while the Kings will be home for eliminated New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Seattle. Still, anything can happen.

Getting exceptional performances from Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom, the Lakers swatted away the pesky Blazers, breaking open a close one late to win for the ninth time in 12 games. L.A. is looking like a lock to open at Phoenix in Round 1, making for a marquee first round matchup.

Isn't it nice when everyone does what they need to? Delivering in the clutch, all that good stuff? Wednesday night's NBA action was entirely about that, as Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Chicago and Indiana all came through, keeping the race to make the Eastern Conference playoffs tighter than Johnny Sac's wife in a corset.

For you Sopranos fans, sorry for that visual.

Philadelphia was most impressive, blowing out a Nets squad that has seen its momentum compromised over the past two nights. After winning 15 of 16, the Nets have faltered against teams they may end up facing in the first round of the playoffs. The Sixers found harmony in their 116-96 win, welcoming Chris Webber back into the fold without upsetting the positive momentum they had established with Samuel Dalembert and Steven Hunter manning the post.

Indiana survived a game effort from Boston, and Jermaine O'Neal appears to be rounding into playoff form. There is no doubt the Pacers will make the playoffs if O'Neal has indeed found his game.

Chicago nearly surrendered all the momentum gained from toppling the Nets against the Hawks, but persevered 96-90. The result may not seem like much, but traveling all night, getting to bed in the wee hours of the morning and coming through in crunch time less than 24 hours later is exceedingly clutch.

Kind of like me filing this witty commentary despite the fact I'm in my fourth city in four days and have slept about seven hours during that period -- all on planes.

The Bucks came up with an immense win over Washington, which tightens up the race for the No. 5 spot. Considering the Wizards are banged up and all these teams chasing playoff spots are motivated to do whatever it takes to reach the postseason, they can't feel safe. Nothing at this point seems guaranteed.

Orlando, despite defeating Toronto to continue its fabulous surge, ends the night a loser. Sure, the Magic can only control their own affairs, but not gaining ground despite another victory is a big blow. The Magic's time is running short.

The Pistons thrashed the Cavs, likely cementing Flip Saunders' hold on Coach of the Year. They also planted an unfriendly reminder in Cleveland's heads should the teams meet in the East semis, but the biggest message delivered should be received by Cavs head coach Mike Brown. Memo: Stop playing LeBron James until the postseason. Your seed is clinched and all he can do is aggravate the ankle he sprained tonight. His MVP campaign won't be compromised; if he hasn't done enough to declare his candidacy already, he never will.

In the West, Memphis stopped Charlotte -- as expected -- but you wonder how good the Grizzlies feel about it. They have strengthened their grip on the fifth seed, which wins them a big, fat underdog role against Dallas, which should be angry over likely relinquishing any shot at the West's top seed in a puzzling loss to Golden State. The Mavs have done this before, falling behind teams they have no business trailing before storming back and claiming victory -- but that well ran dry thanks to the energy of Golden State rookies Ike Diogu and Monta Ellis.

Philadelphia's win over Washington on Monday night forced Chicago's hand as it hosted the red-hot Nets. Everyone knew it. When I checked into the arena, the security guard inspecting my bag muttered, "Well, it's been a nice season. We're gonna get killed tonight."

Bulls starting power forward Malik Allen wasn't as pessimistic, but he admitted he'd seen the Sixers win the previous night and knew his teammates were aware of it and the increased pressure.

"Anyone who tells you they're not watching one another is lying," Allen said. "That's just the nature of things in this last week with how tight they are. Everybody is out for something. The key is to focus and try not to think too much about it and let it become a distraction."

The pressure to win was actually one of the driving forces in the Bulls' 104-101 win, as they knew losing was not an option. That, according to New Jersey's Vince Carter, was the difference, despite his 43-point effort.

"They wanted this a little more than us tonight. They're trying to secure a spot. Everybody is playing to win," Carter said. "It wasn't until late in the game when it was slipping away that we matched their energy and intensity. We're playing for something as well. We need to come out and play to win. We're trying to peak at the right time and be there ready going to the playoffs."

Losing their second game in 17 isn't going to curb the Nets' momentum, but coupled with Miami's commanding win over Toronto, it does severely hamper their chances of catching the Heat for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat's magic number to clinch the seed is now two.

Watch for Shaquille O'Neal's minutes to dwindle significantly over the coming days. He was held under 30 and still notched a triple-double against Toronto, and with Dwyane Wade out with the flu, Antoine Walker rose up with 32, which will surely help his confidence. There haven't been many great nights for the slumping Heat of late, but Tuesday was certainly one.

San Antonio moved a game ahead of Dallas for the No. 1 seed and Memphis moved a half-game ahead of the L.A. Clippers for the No. 5 seed out West. Both had strong defensive efforts and have to be considered strong favorites to hold on to those spots. The Lakers moved ahead of Sacramento for spot No. 7, although it didn't look that way initially. Sacramento squandered a 17-point halftime lead, getting rocked by 30 in the second half of a 123-110 loss in which Phoenix flexed its muscles. Maybe the Kings shouldn't want any part of the Suns, after all.

Gilbert Arenas has a back problem causing him to limp whenever he's not on the court. At the end of the first quarter of Washington's 105-97 loss in Philadelphia, he nearly posterized Samuel Dalembert, but missed at the buzzer. Still, it was impressive to see him rise like that with such springs and ferocity.

If he's got a back problem, I want one, too.

Seriously though, Washington is in serious trouble if his back condition deteriorates, as it's already missing starters Caron Butler (sprained thumb) and Etan Thomas (sprained back). The thought right now appears to be full speed a head towards that No. 5 seed. It's obvious they want no part of surging New Jersey, who they defeated only once in three tries. They want to be LeBron James' first playoff foe. They want to see old pal Larry Hughes. They want the Cavs. Makes sense, too, as they've beaten them twice since February. Washington has yet to clinch a playoff spot, but they're undoubtedly thinking 5-5-5.

"I still think we have enough to continue and make it in [the playoffs] as the fifth seed," Antawn Jamison told the Washington Times, opining that maybe Butler would be best off sitting the rest of the regular season out. "You have to be smart because we are going to need those guys for playoff basketball. We've just have to go out and play better defense than we've been playing lately."

The Wizards allowed Philadelphia to have one of their more balanced games of the season on Monday night, staying in the game only because of the 31 free throws they made, as Arenas set a Wachovia Center record with 16 makes and 21 attempts.

He attacked, attacked and attacked, although in the final minutes, it became increasingly apparent that his body wasn't handling the punishment well. Arenas shot 1-for-9 in the fourth and finished 2-for-12 in the second half. Those aren't good signs, especially since he was out there battling for practically the entire half, including all 12 of the final minutes.

"(Arenas) rested the last minute in the third and I told him we need all of his juice in the fourth," Eddie Jordan said. "We just didn't have a rhythm to start the fourth offensively but that's no excuse not to lock people down."

Arenas played nearly 46 minutes with his ailing back against Philly. He's played over 40 every game since his back started flaring up. Think the Wizards really, really want that fifth seed and playoff spot assured? They have a huge contest in Milwaukee on Wednesday night, looking to put away the team currently closest to them for that No. 5 seed. Maybe if they win, Jordan can lighten the load on Arenas and ensure his health for the playoffs. It's clear that the Bucks will get a heavy dose of him, particularly if Butler still can't palm a ball and remains out. Obviously, Arenas and Jamison are trying to carry the load with the highest scoring trio in the league down a man. That's a heavy load, particularly for some one with a bad back.

On second thought, maybe I don't want one after all. ...

I got my first up-close look at the Sixers' mascot. He's a crazy bunny named Hip-Hop. That's right, a bunny rabbit. He sports a do-rag like A.I. and these ridiculous shiny shades. I asked one of the members of the entertainment squad that flanks him, his posse, if you will, what exactly a rabbit has to do with the Sixers. A member of the Hare Raisers (that's their clever name) told me he wasn't sure what the motif was all about, perhaps a tribute to hip-hop. He also added that the bunny "represents."

You can't make this stuff up.

I'm thinking it might be a tribute to Iverson's ability to never tire and always keep going, going and going, but that seems a little too logical.

Some musings from the road: I'm in Dallas for part two of my three cities in 24 hours jet lag tour. Can't wait for that 6 a.m. flight to Philly.

If you're ever in San Antonio, play a little people watching game. See how long it takes before you see a piece of Spurs memorabilia. Be it on a building, on your cabbie's dashboard, a pin on your server at a restaurant, or on hats, caps, bandanas and any other form of headgear, you'll see the black and white logo.

I've never seen anything like it. Men and women, boys and girls, people of all shapes and backgrounds so united over something. Go Spurs go! There are a couple of one-team cities in the league, (Orlando, Portland, Sacramento) but the universal love the Spurs get in S.A. is unrivaled ...

Dallas' rookie forward Josh Powell is relishing his opportunity to play meaningful minutes on a championship contender -- kind of.

"It's definitely fun," said Powell in the aftermath of the Mavs' victory over the Spurs, "but I tell you what, I'm really out there trying to make sure everything is still running as smooth as when I got out there."

In other words, he's simply trying not to screw things up.

Given his role as stand in for the likes of injured forwards Adrian Griffin and Keith Van Horn, that's not a bad strategy. Powell played in Italy the last two seasons and started his professional career in Russia after going undrafted in 2003. He's got good size, solid athleticism and a great work ethic, so it wouldn't be surprising if he's finally earned a place in the league for good ...

Mavericks guard Jason Terry sounds genuinely shocked each time he sees another Philadelphia loss. "Wow, they're really not going to make the playoffs," he said to no one in particular.

It's still premature, but it just goes to show you how much respect Allen Iverson gets and how surprised some players around the league are at the demise of the Sixers ...

Moron move of the month, perhaps even the year, goes to me for my pre-game glitch prior to the Mavs/Spurs game. I was ironing my shirt while talking on the phone and the cord knocks into my water, threatening to spill it everywhere. Well, I reach over and catch the glass, preventing an accident. Somehow, my brain then decides I have my phone in my hand, and I return to my conversation.

Unfortunately, my phone is still where I dropped it in order to catch the glass. In my hand is the iron. I put it right to my cheek for less than a second. Word to the wise, even momentarily putting a hot iron against your skin does damage. Right now, I'm Scarface. Make all the Tony Montana/Mejia jokes you want, but this better heal quickly.