If the NBA Playoffs started this second

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED THIS SECOND

The standings will be different in a few hours, but what if they started right now?

EAST

1-CLEVELAND v. 8-MILWAUKEE - The Bucks gets slaughtered. Cavs in 4, maybe 5.

2-BOSTON v. 7-PHILADELPHIA - KG's injured, but the Big Three are still determined to be a dynasty, not a one-season wonder. (*cough* Heat! *cough*) Celtics in 5.

3-ORLANDO v. 6-DETROIT - This will actually be interesting. They're a better team without Allen Iverson. Yes, they don't have Billups, but Orlando doesn't have Jameer Nelson either. Dwight Howard will have to work for his numbers against Rasheed Wallace, but he'll still get them. More intriguing would be watching Tayshaun Prince keeping Rashard Lewis out of it, and Rip Hamilton trying to out-shoot Hedo Turkoglu. But Flip Saunders is gone. Magic in 7, or 5 if A.I. is back.

4-ATLANTA v. 5-MIAMI - There will be at least one game that the Hawks should win that they lose because Dwyane Wade carries his team on his back singlehandedly. Heat in 7.

1-CLEVELAND v. 5-MIAMI - LeBron and D-Wade. Only one has a ring. Mwa ha ha! Cavs in 6.

2-BOSTON v. 3-ORLANDO - Very intriguing. I think Stan Van Gundy's a better X-and-O coach than Doc Rivers. I never thought Doc was that great a coach, but if you suddenly have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, well, they coach themselves, and no other teammate is going to try to be selfish on the court with them. Who's hungrier? Celts. I like Rondo over Alston in the point-guard match-up, I like Howard over Perkins in the center match-up (heh). Bench play is a little deeper in Orlando but not by much. When in doubt... Celtics in 7.

1-CLEVELAND v. 2-BOSTON - Mo Williams is better on offense; Rondo is better on defense. LeBron and KG will be epic. I think they're really close, but I'll go with defense. Celtcs in 6.

WEST

1-L.A. LAKERS v. 8-DALLAS - The Mavericks will split the 2 in L.A., then the Lakers will split the two in Dallas. Dirk will be broken by the home loss. Lakers in 6.

2-SAN ANTONIO v. 7-PORTLAND - The young Blazers could put a scare in to the Spurs, but if the Spurs Big Three all play, no chance. Spurs in 5.

3-DENVER v. 6-UTAH - Tonight's game may serve as a preview, but the Jazz are too deep for the Nuggets. Jazz in 6.

4-NEW ORLEANS v. 5-HOUSTON - There are a few teams the Rockets could beat in the first round, but this is one that could give them fits. CP3 can run circles around Aaron Brooks, and Tyson Chandler won't be a pushover for Yao. Ron Artest and Shane Battier can keep David West off his game here and there. Rick Adelman and Byron Scott will make for a good coaching duel. Both teams are hot right now. Tough one, but Hornets in 7.

1-L.A. LAKERS v. 4-NEW ORLEANS - Epic. Too bad Andrew Bynum is out. Yes, Pau Gasol has been just fine getting things done, but I see match-up issues here. Kobe Bryant will have at least two 40-point games. Lakers in 7.

2-SAN ANTONIO v. 6-UTAH - The Spurs have held the Jazz's number for over a decade, but the Spurs are finally old enough, and the Jazz's young guys are finally just seasoned enough for the series to go in Jerry's kids' favor. Jazz in 6.

1-L.A. LAKERS v. 6-UTAH - I know I'm wearing homer glasses here, but with the Jazz finally healthy, their record belies how good they really are. The L10 column is a better tell where they stand, and they've already shown they know how to beat the Lakers. Jazz in 6.

NBA FINALS: BOSTON v. UTAH