Now that we’re knee-deep in the conference semifinals, let’s take another look at how the playoff teams stack up.

R.I.P.

Click on the team name to read a short offseason blueprint.

16. Pistons
15. Sixers
14. Heat
13. Hornets
12. Bulls
11. Jazz
10. Blazers
9. Spurs

ON LIFE SUPPORT

8. Hawks
7. Mavericks
The NBA released a statement that the officials blew the intentional foul call at the end of regulation (which allowed for Carmelo Anthony’s game-winner), but I blame the Mavs for not forewarning the officials that they were going to try to foul immediately. (Mind you, I have no proof that they failed to warn the refs, but if they did, the call would have no doubt been made.) Regardless, the Mavs and the Hawks are down 3-0 and we all know what happens to teams that are down 3-0. (They go home for the summer.)

STILL ALIVE

6. Rockets
5. Magic
4. Celtics
After hearing the news that Yao Ming would miss the remainder of the playoffs, I did what most NBA fans probably did — I wrote off the Rockets. Houston proceeded to blow out the unfocused Lakers in Game 4. The loss was probably just what the Lakers needed; they didn’t take Houston seriously and it came back to bite them in the ass. Is Houston capable of winning two more games? Sure, but the odds are long now that the fire has been lit under Kobe and Co.

With Big Baby’s game-winning jumper, the Celtics took back home court advantage by knotting the series at two games apiece. Neither team has been impressive, however, and the winner will probably just be cannon fodder for the Cavs, who are on a serious roll.

THE LAKERS’ ROAD BLOCK

3. Nuggets
It would be a mistake to write off Denver. I haven’t been a big believer in the Nuggets this season, but after seeing more of them in these playoffs, they definitely have the firepower to challenge the Lakers (if that matchup eventually happens). Chauncey Billups brings championship experience at the point, Carmelo Anthony has superstar credentials, Nene is a very effective low post scorer and Kenyon Martin brings excellent defense at power forward. Throw in wild cards like J.R. Smith’s scoring and Chris “The Birdman” Andersen’s blocked shots and rebounding, and the Nuggets are very dangerous. The Lakers would be wise not to overlook this team.

DESTINED FOR THE FINALS

2. Lakers
1. Cavs
My problem with the Lakers is that every so often they’ll underperform like they did in Game 4 in Houston. It’s one thing to play well and simply get beat, but to phone it in and get blown out by a team that just lost its best player is inexcusable. Meanwhile, the Cavs are on a roll. I still think that if we get a Cavs/Lakers matchup in the Finals, the Lakers have the personnel advantage, but the chances are much higher that the Lakers are upended in the conference finals. The East simply doesn’t have a team that is playing at the level that the Nuggets are at right now.