Eastern Conference
#1 NEW JERSEY (52-30) VS. #8 INDIANA (42-40)
Probable starters: Nets — Kenyon Martin (14.9 pts, 5.3 reb), Keith Van Horn (14.8 pts, 7.5 reb), Todd MacCulloch (9.7 pts, 6.1 reb), Jason Kidd (14.7 pts, 9.9 ast, 7.3 reb), Kerry Kittles (13.4 pts). Pacers — Jermaine O’Neal (19.0 pts, 10.5 reb), Ron Artest (13.2 pts. 4.9 reb), Brad Miller (13.6 pts, 8.2 reb), Reggie Miller (16.5 pts), Jamaal Tinsley (9.4 pts, 8.1 ast).
Key reserves: Nets — Richard Jefferson (9.4 pts, 3.7 reb), Lucious Harris (9.1 pts), Aaron Williams (7.2 pts, 4.1 reb), Jason Collins (4.5 pts, 3.9 ast). Pacers — Jonathan Bender (7.4 pts, 3.1 reb), Kevin Ollie (5.7 pts, 3.6 ast), Jeff Foster (5.7 pts, 6.8 reb), Austin Croshere (6.8 pts, 3.9 reb), Ron Mercer (13.9 pts).
Season series: New Jersey won 3-1, but all the games took place in November and December — long before the Pacers revamped their roster by trading Jalen Rose.
Story line: Are the Nets ready for prime time?
#2 DETROIT (50-32) VS. #7 TORONTO (42-40)
Probable starters: Pistons — Jerry Stackhouse (21.4 pts, 5.3 ast), Chucky Atkins (12.1 pts, 3.3 ast), Cliff Robinson (14.6 pts, 4.8 reb), Ben Wallace (7.6 pts, 13.0 reb), Michael Curry (4.0 pts). Raptors — Antonio Davis (14.5 pts, 9.6 reb), Jerome Williams (7.6 pts, 5.7 reb), Keon Clark (11.3 pts, 7.4 reb), Alvin Williams (11.8 pts, 5.7 ast), Morris Peterson (14.0 pts, 3.5 ast).
Key reserves: Pistons — Corliss Williamson (13.6 pts, 4.1 reb), Jon Barry (9.0 pts, 3.3 ast), Zelijko Rebraca (6.9 pts, 3.9 reb). Raptors — Hakeem Olajuwon (7.1 pts, 6.0 reb), Chris Childs (4.1 pts, 5.1 ast), Dell Curry (6.4 pts).
Season series: Pistons won 3-1, with two of the victories coming during Toronto’s 13-game losing streak.
Story line: Viewable only on cable TV.
#3 BOSTON (49-33) VS. #6 PHILADELPHIA (43-39)
Probable starters: Boston — Antoine Walker (22.1 pts, 8.8 reb, 5.0 ast), Eric Williams (6.4 pts, 3.0 reb), Tony Battie (6.9 pts, 6.5 reb), Paul Pierce (26.1 pts, 6.9 reb), Kenny Anderson (9.6 pts, 5.3 ast). 76ers — Allen Iverson (31.4 pts, 5.5 ast), Eric Snow (12.1 pts, 6.6 ast), Dikembe Mutombo (11.5 pts, 10.8 reb), Derrick Coleman (15.1 pts, 8.8 reb), Matt Harpring (11.8 pts, 7.1 reb).
Key reserves: Celtics: Rodney Rogers (11.9 pts, 4.5 reb), Tony Delk (9.5 pts), Erick Strickland (7.7 pts, 2.7 ast), Mark Blount (2.1 pts, 1.9 reb). 76ers — Aaron McKie (12.2 pts, 3.7 ast), Speedy Claxton (7.2 pts, 3.0 ast), Derrick McKey (2.9 pts, 3.1 reb).
Season series: 76ers won 3-1, with two of the victories by 16 points apiece early in the season.
Story line: Iverson returns after missing a month with a broken hand.
# 4 CHARLOTTE (44-38) VS. # 5 ORLANDO (44-38)
Probable starters: Hornets — Jamal Mashburn (21.5 pts, 6.1 rev, 4.3 ast), P.J. Brown (8.4 pts, 9.8 reb), Elden Campbell (13.9 pts, 6.9 reb), Baron Davis (18.1 pts, 8.5 ast), David Wesley (14.2 pts, 3.5 ast). Orlando — Tracy McGrady (25.6 pts, 7.9 reb, 5.3 ast), Darrell Armstrong (12.4 pts, 5.5 rebounds), Horace Grant (8.0 pts, 6.3 reb), Pat Garrity (11.1 pts, 4.2 reb), Mike Miller (15.2 pts, 5.3 reb).
Key reserves: Hornets — Jamaal Magliore (8.5 pts, 5.6 reb), Lee Nailon (10.8 pts, 3.7 reb), Stacey Augmon (4.6 pts), George Lynch (3.8 pts). Magic — Troy Hudson (11.7 points, 3.1 ast), Monty Williams (7.1 pts, 3.5 reb), Patrick Ewing (6.0 pts, 4.0 reb).
Season series: Hornets won 3-1, winning the final three games — including two victories five days apart in late March.
Story line: More empty seats than occupied ones at Hive opener?
Western Conference
#1 SACRAMENTO KINGS (61-21) VS. #8 UTAH JAZZ (44-38)
Probable starters: Kings — Chris Webber (24.5, 10.1 reb, 4.8 ast), Peja Stojakovic (21.2 pts, 5.3 reb), Vlade Divac (11.1 pts, 8.4 reb, 3.7 ast), Mike Bibby (13.7 pts, 5.0 ast), Doug Christie (12.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 4.2 ast). Jazz — Karl Malone (22.4 pts, 8.6 reb), Andrei Kirilenko (10.7 pts, 4.9 reb), Jarron Collins (6.4 pts, 4.2 reb), John Stockton (13.4 pts, 8.2 ast), Bryon Russell (9.6 pts, 4.5 ast).
Key reserves: Kings — Bobby Jackson (11.1 pts, 3.1 ast), Hedo Turkoglu (10.1, 4.5 reb), Scot Pollard (6.4 points, 7.1 reb). Jazz — Donyell Marshall (14.8 pts, 7.6 reb), Scott Padgett (6.7 pts, 3.8 reb).
Season series: Kings won 4-0, winning by an average of almost 23 points.
Story line: Can Utah even keep it close against the NBA’s No. 1 seed?
#2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (58-24) VS. #7 SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (45-37)
Probable starters: Spurs — Tim Duncan (25.5 pts, 12.7 reb), Bruce Bowen (7.0 pts, 2.7 reb), David Robinson (12.2 pts, 8.3 reb), Tony Parker (9.2 pts, 4.3 ast), Steve Smith (11.6 pts). Sonics — Gary Payton (22.1 pts, 9.0 ast), Brent Barry (14.4 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.3 ast), Jerome James (5.3 pts, 4.1 reb), Predrag Drobnjak (6.8 pts, 3.4 reb), Rashard Lewis (16.8 pts, 7.0 reb).
Key reserves: Spurs — Malik Rose (9.4 pts, 6.0 reb), Antonio Daniels (9.2 pts, 2.8 ast), Terry Porter (5.5 pts, 2.8 ast). Sonics — Vin Baker (14.1 pts, 6.4 ast), Desmond Mason (12.4 pts, 4.7 reb), Vladimir Radmanovic (6.7 pts, 3.8 ast).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with each team winning twice at home. The final two games went down to the last shot.
Story line: Spurs have to get past Seattle before possible rematch with Lakers.
#3 LOS ANGELES LAKERS (58-24) VS. #6 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (49-33)
Probable starters: Lakers — Shaquille O’Neal (27.2 pts, 10.7 reb), Kobe Bryant (25.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.5 ast), Derek Fisher (11.2 pts, 2.6 ast), Rick Fox (7.9 pts, 4.7 reb), Samaki Walker (6.7 pts, 7.0 reb). Trail Blazers — Rasheed Wallace (19.3 pts, 8.2 reb), Scottie Pippen (10.6 pts, 5,2 reb, 5.9 ast), Dale Davis (9.5 pts, 8.8 reb), Damon Stoudamire (13.5 pts, 6.5 ast), Bonzi Wells (17.0 pts, 6.0 reb).
Key reserves: Lakers — Robert Horry (6.8 pts, 5.9 ast), Devean George (7.1 pts, 3.7 reb), Lindsey Hunter (6.8 pts). Trail Blazers — Derek Anderson (10.8 pts, 3.1 ast), Ruben Patterson (11.2 pts, 4.0 reb), Shawn Kemp (6.1 pts, 3.8 reb), Steve Kerr (4.1 pts).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with the Blazers winning a thriller in overtime earlier this month in the teams’ final meeting.
Story line: First stop on Lakers’ road to a three-peat?
#4 DALLAS MAVERICKS (57-25) VS. #5 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (50-32)
Probable starters: Mavericks — Dirk Nowitzki (23.4 pts, 9.9 reb), Eduardo Najera (6.5 pts, 5.5 ast), Raef LaFrentz (13.5 pts, 7.4 reb), Steve Nash (17.9 pts, 7.7 ast), Michael Finley (20.6 pts, 5.2 reb). Timberwolves — Kevin Garnett (21.2 pts, 12.1 reb, 5.2 ast), Joe Smith (10.7 pts, 6.3 reb), Rasho Nesterovic (8.4 pts, 6.5 reb), Chauncey Billups (12.5 pts, 5.5 ast), Wally Szczerbiak (18.7 pts, 4.8 reb).
Key reserves: Mavericks — Nick Van Exel (18.4 pts, 6.6 ast), Adrian Griffin 7.2 pts, 3.9 reb), Greg Buckner (5.8 pts, 3.9 reb), Wang Zhizhi (5.6 pts, 2.0 reb). Timberwolves — Anthony Peeler (9.0 pts), Gary Trent (7.5 pts, 4.2 reb), Robert Pack (3.9 pts, 3.1 ast).
Season series: Tied 2-2, with the Mavericks winning twice in December. Both teams surpassed 100 points in every game.
Story line: Dallas is not just happy to be here anymore. The Mavs think they can win it all.
