Where things can get pretty igry ...Rick's Cafe Americain

#2 N.J. vs. #7 Cleveland: After a post All-Star break surge, the Cavs have fallen back, now 2 games out of the playoffs.  But LeBron NEEDS to be in the playoffs for Stern and for NIKE, so look for the stars to align (and for them to pick up the extra ½ game on the Knicks so we can see Reggie at the Garden).  Shit, LeBron and Co. might even beat the slumping Nets.

#1 Sacramento vs. #8 Denver:  It is a three team race for the final playoff spot out West and the Jazz (who seem immune to all “outside” influences) somehow occupy the last spot with a bunch of nobodies.  But Melo also needs to go to the playoffs, so look for the Nuggets to back door in.  While the Lakers are surging and closing fast on Sacramento, now that CWeb is ruining the Kings chemistry, look for Sacramento to hold on to the #1 seed, so the NBA can at least pretend that someone might be able to stop L.A. from romping to another title.

No conspiracy stories to tell in the rest of the seedings. 

#2 N.J. vs. #7 Cleveland: After a post All-Star break surge, the Cavs have fallen back, now 2 games out of the playoffs.  But LeBron NEEDS to be in the playoffs for Stern and for NIKE, so look for the stars to align (and for them to pick up the extra ½ game on the Knicks so we can see Reggie at the Garden).  Shit, LeBron and Co. might even beat the slumping Nets.

#1 Sacramento vs. #8 Denver:  It is a three team race for the final playoff spot out West and the Jazz (who seem immune to all “outside” influences) somehow occupy the last spot with a bunch of nobodies.  But Melo also needs to go to the playoffs, so look for the Nuggets to back door in.  While the Lakers are surging and closing fast on Sacramento, now that CWeb is ruining the Kings chemistry, look for Sacramento to hold on to the #1 seed, so the NBA can at least pretend that someone might be able to stop L.A. from romping to another title.

No conspiracy stories to tell in the rest of the seedings.