Breaking down the NBA playoffs and who's likely to do well

While the NBA season seemed to be a lead-in for a star-powered Finals with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the same thing could be said last year and it didn't happen.

There are some serious threats to knock off Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers before the Finals. In the East, Orlando seems to be capable of getting past the Cavs, and the West playoffs should be entertaining, right from the No. 1 vs. 8 matchup with Bryant and scoring champ Kevin Durant from Oklahoma City.

Dallas appears to be the strongest it's been since 2006, Phoenix found a winning formula, Denver is still dangerous and even No. 7 San Antonio could win a series or two. Here's a preview:

Eastern Conference No. 1 Cleveland CavaliersWhy they can win: They have the best player in LeBron James and earned the NBA's best record once again.Why they won't: The Cavs don't match up well inside with Orlando or the Lakers. Trading for Shaquille O'Neal, 38, won't help much against Dwight Howard.X-factor: Anthony Parker. The Naperville native is the Cavs' best perimeter defender and can give the offense a nice boost by knocking down 3-pointers.Prediction: Loss in NBA FinalsNo. 2 Orlando MagicWhy they can win: The Magic beat Cleveland last year and can use the same formula. If the Cavs are forced to gang up on Dwight Howard, there's no one to guard sharpshooter Rashard Lewis.Why they won't: The Cavs might be ready for the rematch. Vince Carter hasn't been a great fit.X-factor: Point guard Jameer Nelson missed most of last year's Finals run.Prediction: Loss in Eastern finals.No. 3 Atlanta HawksWhy they can win: The Hawks are deep and athletic, with scorers all over the court. Jamal Crawford has been a successful late-game shooter.Why they won't: Atlanta's improved, but doesn't have enough size to stop Orlando or a superstar to match LeBron James.X-factor: When Mike Bibby is locked in from 3-point range, he doesn't miss.Prediction: Second-round loss.No. 4 Boston CelticsWhy they can win: Still a potent lineup, even with an aging Big Three. The Celtics added Nate Robinson and Michael Finley for a slightly different look.Why they won't: Too old and susceptible to injuries. Rasheed Wallace brought next to nothing during the regular season.X-factor: Point guard Rajon Rondo has to play better than he did against the Bulls on Tuesday.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 5 Miami HeatWhy they can win: Even if he's a one-man show, Dwyane Wade has the talent to carry Miami. Seriously, which Boston player is going to guard him?Why they won't: The supporting cast is limited and second-leading scorer Michael Beasley is wildly inconsistent.X-factor: Jermaine O'Neal might be due for a strong playoff performance.Prediction: Second-round loss.No. 6 Milwaukee BucksWhy they can win: Coach Scott Skiles has them playing far beyond what anyone expected. The defense is solid and ex-Bull John Salmons is hitting big shots.Why they won't: Milwaukee's chances for a playoff win ended when center Andrew Bogut's awkward fall after a dunk crumpled his right arm. He's done.X-factor: Rookie Brandon Jennings is explosive, but hasn't shot well lately.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 7 Charlotte BobcatsWhy they can win: Stephen Jackson helped orchestrate Golden State's stunning playoff upset over Dallas in 2007. Boris Diaw also has playoff experience.Why they won't: Who's going to slow down Orlando center Dwight Howard? Tyson Chandler? Tyrus Thomas?X-factor: Coach Larry Brown is among the best at making playoff adjustments.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 8 BullsWhy they can win: They have star power now in Derrick Rose, a player who can dominate games. This isn't just a scrappy team like it used to be.Why they won't: Not enough shooters. The Bulls might be dangerous if they add a big free agent, but not now.X-factor: Flip Murray. Somebody needs to step up from the bench.Prediction: First-round loss.Western Conference No. 1 Los Angeles LakersWhy they can win: They're the defending champs, with a superstar in Kobe Bryant, a huge front line and a coach with 10 championship rings.Why they won't: The Lakers didn't max their talent in the regular season. Ron Artest made limited contributions, and Andrew Bynum is coming off an injury.X-factor: Lamar Odom's stats aren't special, but he makes clutch baskets.Prediction: NBA champion.No. 2 Dallas MavericksWhy they can win: The in-season makeover seemed to work brilliantly, with the Mavs adding a shooter (Caron Butler) and post defender (Brendan Haywood) to join Dirk Nowitzki.Why they won't: Defense and toughness may be in question, but Dallas looks like the best bet to knock off the Lakers.X-factor: Jason Kidd suddenly became a good 3-point shooter (42.5 percent).Prediction: Loss in Western finals.No. 3 Phoenix SunsWhy they can win: Suns were surprising all season as Steve Nash proved he still it, Amare Stoudemire started playing for his next deal and Channing Frye went from a Blazers scrub to a 3-point marksman.Why they won't: Nash is 36 and Grant Hill is 37. How many more games do they have in them?X-factor: If Frye and Jared Dudley keep knocking down 3-pointers, Nash and Amare will be tough to stop.Prediction: Second-round loss.No. 4 Denver NuggetsWhy they can win: The Nuggets, with one of the league's best 1-2 punches in Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, went to the conference finals last year.Why they won't: Kenyon Martin was out with an injury late in the season and Denver still doesn't have many options at two guard beyond J.R. Smith.X-factor: Rookie Ty Lawson flew under the radar a bit, but can push the tempo.Prediction: Second-round loss.No. 5 Utah JazzWhy they can win: They've had success in the playoffs before and have a cohesive group led by point guard Deron Williams.Why they won't: Carlos Boozer sat out season finale with a slightly torn oblique. He plans to play in Game 1, but Jazz could have been No. 3 seed with one more win.X-factor: If Andrei Kirilenko starts playing like he did five years ago, watch out.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 6 Portland Trail BlazersWhy they can win: Blazers have been mentally tough, with 50 wins despite losing Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla to injuries and adding Marcus Camby.Why they won't: Brandon Roy tore cartilage in his knee this week and will probably miss the entire playoffs.X-factor: The Blazers could use Nicholas Batum and Martell Webster to heat up from long range to replace Roy's scoring.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 7 San Antonio SpursWhy they can win: They might have more talent than any No. 7 seed in history, with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson. Definitely a dangerous opponent.Why they won't: San Antonio never quite got it together. Jefferson wasn't a great fit and they don't have that second inside presence to go with Duncan.X-factor: Second-year guard George Hill is a low-key rising star with a higher scoring average (12.4 ppg) than Jefferson.Prediction: First-round loss.No. 8 Oklahoma CityWhy they can win: Kevin Durant might be NBA's second-best player. Capable of carrying the Thunder a long way, but can he win a playoff series at age 21?Why they won't: Just too young all the way around and not enough on the inside to slow the Lakers' powerful post game.X-factor: How about Thabo Sefolosha's defense against Kobe Bryant in the first round? Didn't think so.Prediction: First-round loss.