NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW
We all know the central storyline - Can anyone stop Shaq & Kobe? We won't get the answer until the Western Conference finals, when either Sacramento or Dallas will try to simply outscore them. Until then, here are the subplots

The Least of the East

Nets v. Pacers: Brad Miller and Todd MacCulloch battle it out for the title of Best Slow White Center, while Jason Kidd takes rookie Jamaal Tinsley to school. The underachieving Pacers, led by the timeless Reggie Miller, take one if Mt. Kenyon can keep himself on the court, two if he can't. NETS in 4.

Pistons v. Raptors: This will be clearly be the most aesthetically challenged matchup of the first round. The problem for the Pistons is that their second leading scorer is perennial playoff no-show Cliff Robinson. The Vince-less Raptors have the energy players (Keon Clark, Jerome Williams) to match up with Ben Wallace and the blue-collar Pistons. RAPTORS in 5.

Celtics v. 76ers: Iverson's barely out of his cast, Coleman is playing on one foot, McKie's in goggles - and they're still the toughest out in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics best hope is to get Dan Akroyd and Daniel Stern to kidnap the Answer. SIXERS in 5.

Hornets v. Magic: Tracy McGrady is incredible, he'll drop 50 at least once this series. Unfortunately, even he misses from time to time, and the Magic are sending poor Horace Grant out there alone to bang with Campell, Magloire, Brown & Lynch. HORNETS in 4.

Best of the West

Kings v. Jazz: Stockton to Malone. Stockton to Malone. Bibby to Divac, Webber, Stojkovic, and Turkoglu. As you can see the Kings have far more weapons. KINGS in 4.

Spurs v. Sonics: Dangerous match-up for the Spurs, because Payton will make life miserable for Tony Parker. However, the Sonics have no one who can even slow Duncan down. Come to thing of it, they may not have anyone who could slow Malik Rose down. SPURS in 4.

Lakers v.Trail Blazers: There's not going to be a roll-over this year. Mo Cheeks has done the impossible - gotten the Fail Blazers to play as a team. They are versatile, they are deep, and they still have no answer for Shaq. LAKERS in 5.

Mavericks v. Timberwolves: For all of you who suffered through too many offensively stagnant games before this year's rule change, this is the series for you. You'll get gadget zone defenses, dead-eye shooters, athletic 7-footers slicing through the lane, and bad jokes about Marc Cuban's stint at Dairy Queen (OK, we can do without the last). MAVS in 4.