What players, teams are ones to watch in the playoffs

	Chauncey Billups' willingness to take and hit clutch shots has earned him the nickname Mr. Big Shot in Detroit. John W. McDonough/SI
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The pairings are set for the NBA's two-month march toward crowning the 2005-06 champion. With so many games in front of us, we endeavor to make sense of what's to come and what you will be talking about in the weeks to come.

Five players no opposing coach wants with the ball in his hands in the final seconds

1. Kobe Bryant. Already one of the best clutch shooters in history.
2. Chauncey Billups. When opponents tighten up in the last minute, he relaxes.
3. Dirk Nowitzki. Mavs are counting on their mismatch-maker to win the close ones.
4. Dwyane Wade. Can create game-winners with the drive or the pull-up jumper.
5. Mike Bibby. As with Billups, it's a surprise when he misses in crunch time.

Five teams and/or players in for a rude awakening in the playoffs

1. LeBron James. He'll learn -- as Michael Jordan did -- that he can't outscore teams in the playoffs; his defensive weaknesses will be exposed.
2. Kirk Hinrich. His reward for advancing to the playoffs is a thorough first-round drubbing by the Heat.
3. Ron Artest. After making a positive impact in Sacramento, Artest will run into the Spurs ... and the resulting impact will not be a positive one for Sacramento.
4. Steve Nash. With mirrors, Shawn Marion and a little bit of Boris Diaw, Nash covered up the absence of Amaré Stoudemire, but the postseason will expose the Suns' lack of size.
5. Jermaine O'Neal. The Pacers will go out in the first round, leading to an early summer of trade rumors involving the All-Star big man.

Five teams that could derail a Spurs-Pistons Finals rematch

1. Mavericks. Could knock off the Spurs in the second round.
2. Heat. Don't overrate the value of regular-season stats: Shaq will be back.
3. Nets. If Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic are able to beat Miami, they'll force the "A" game out of Detroit.
4. Nuggets. They defend and attack the basket relentlessly -- and they're on the easy side of the draw, while the Spurs and Mavericks will be beating each other up in the second round.
5. Clippers. If Elton Brand and Sam Cassell get on a roll, they could be a tough out in the conference finals