The skinny: The Lakers have been the class of the West all season and needed just five games to cruise past Utah. They'll get a better fight from the Rockets, who ended their first-round skid by knocking out the Blazers in six, but the Lakers still will advance easily. They simply have no weaknesses - aside from their inability to put away teams - with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and the surging Trevor Ariza spreading the court. Sure, the Rockets have two of the NBA's best defenders in Ron Artest and Shane Battier. They also have a serious lack of offense. Houston averaged 92 points against the Blazers, and, dare we say it, will miss Tracy McGrady's scoring here.

What to watch for: The Lakers finding that killer instinct and recording some blowouts.

Prediction: Lakers in five.

Eastern Conference semifinals Who: No. 2 Boston vs. No. 3 Orlando

Game 1: At Boston, 5 p.m. today TNT

The skinny: It's a quick turnaround for the Celtics, who face the rested Magic after surviving their grueling seven-game, seven-overtime marathon against the Bulls. And there's a rough road ahead: Boston and Orlando split their season series, with the Celtics losing both games that Kevin Garnett either missed or barely played in because of injury. The Magic, unlike Chicago, can exploit the Celtics' lack of interior bodies so expect Dwight Howard to run over everybody in the paint. If Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu catch fire, this one will be over quickly.

What to watch for: How Rajon Rondo follows up his fantastic opening-round series.

Prediction: Celtics in seven.