With the 2012-2013 NBA regular season drawing to a close and the playoffs on the way, basketball fans have a ton of questions on their minds. Are the Spurs too old? Will Derrick Rose finally return from injury? Is this Oklahoma City’s year? And of course, the largest of them all: can anyone stop LeBron James and the Heat? If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place. Here are my picks for the playoffs, each and every series.

 1st Round:

Eastern Conference:

(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks

LeBron James is the best basketball player on the planet. The Bucks don’t even have a winning record. Enough said. Heat in 4.

(4) Brooklyn Nets vs. (5) Chicago Bulls

This is a tough one to call, but barring a dramatic return from injury by Derrick Rose, I give the Nets the edge. Both play solid team ball but I think the Nets have a little more star power. Without Rose, the Bulls fall in the first round for the second consecutive year. Nets in 6.

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Boston Celtics

The Celtics are no longer the powerhouse they’ve been over the past few years, after losing sharpshooter Ray Allen to Miami through free agency and Rajon Rondo to the injured reserve after an ACL tear. Veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, along with coach Doc Rivers, will not go down without a fight. But Carmelo Anthony is the league’s leading scorer, and behind his indefensible offensive arsenal, New York will finally make it out of the first round. Knicks in 6 games.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs (6) Atlanta Hawks

I don’t know how the Hawks continue to make the playoffs, and i’ts beginning to aggravate me. Altlanta’s Jeff Teague and Josh Smith are good players, but not great players. The Pacers nearly knocked off the Heat last year, and I see them winning this series quickly. Pacers in 5.

Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Houston Rockets

For a 1 vs. 8 opening round series, this matchup should be interesting. James Harden has blossomed into one of the league’s top five scorers in the league after stepping out of the shadows of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and into Houston to run his own team. The Thunder simply have more firepower, and behind Durant and Westbrook, they will take care of business quickly against their old teammate. Look for these young teams to compete for years to come. Thunder in 5.

(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies

This promises to be the most competitive opening round series. The two teams met in the first round last year, where the Clippers ended up winning. This year, the post battle between LA’s Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and Memphis’ Mark Gasol and Zach Randolph should be interesting. I see a repeat of last year unfolding this year, as star point guard Chris Paul makes the difference and leads the Clippers to victory through a tough series. Clippers in 7.

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

2008 called, it wants its series back. Seriously, this would have been a great series if both teams were a little younger and healthier, but I just can’t stand to watch the Lakers with Kobe Bryant on the sidelines. Although the Spurs are banged up too, the core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli will squeak out a win. Spurs in 6.

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Golden State Warriors

I don’t really follow either of these teams much. I know that the Warriors are young and exciting, but the Nuggets are just plain better, especially in depth and in coaching. Steph Curry and David Lee will prove to be a dynamic duo for Golden State for years to come, but Denver will take this one. Nuggets in 6.

2nd Round:

East:

(1) Miami Heat vs. (4) Brooklyn Nets

I still see the Heat gliding through this series pretty easily, but since they tend to get a bit too comfortable after the opening round, the Nets might scare them a little. After a loss or two LeBron will remember that his team is better at every position except point guard, but there’s only so much Brooklyn’s Deron Williams can do. Heat in 6.

(2) New York Knicks vs. (3) Indiana Pacers

I think these teams match up well, and I see the series going 6 or 7 games. I think the Knicks could be in trouble if they rely too heavily on the three and fail to keep Indiana’s Roy Hibbert off of the glass, but I don’t see that happening. Too much Carmelo, and too much depth for NY will be the downfall of Indiana. Knicks in 7.

West:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Los Angeles Clippers

There will be more dunks in this series than any other, as Lob City squares off against Westbrook and Durant again. The Clippers might dunk more, but the Thunder tend to outscore everyone. That equals a win. Thunder in 6.

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Denver Nuggets

I hate the elderly Spurs but I don’t trust the Nuggets. Never root against San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich. I’ve learned my lesson in years past.  Spurs in 7.

 Conference Finals

 East:

(1) Miami Heat vs. (2) New York Knicks

Miami is the worst rebounding team in the league, and when they do happen to lose, it is usually on the glass. New York bigs Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin will pose trouble for Miami in this regard. Besides this, the two teams are strikingly similar; they both live and die by the three point shot, they both like to run the fast break, and they both have superb one-on-one scorers to go to when the play breaks down: Anthony and J.R. Smith for NY and James and Dwyane Wade for Miami. Miami’s defense is too strong for a NY team that isn’t as battle tested, and LeBron James is still far and away the best player in the series, despite Carmelo Anthony. Although the Knicks won the regular season series 3-1, Miami will get their revenge and return to the finals to defend their title after a long series. Heat in 6.

West:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs

The West is tough for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were two completely different teams playing in this game, as the top five teams in the conference are all very good. This is a terrible matchup for San Antonio, and they’re going to really begin to look their age. Kevin Durant is hungry to return to the finals, and no one will be able to guard him and prevent it. Thunder in 5.

Finals

(1) Miami Heat vs. (1) Oklahoma City Thunder

In this rematch of last year’s finals, both squads have shown improvement from last year (no one thought that was possible). LeBron has taken his game to another level,  the Heat have added shooter Ray Allen, and supporting cast member Mario Chalmers has come into his own. On the other hand, Kevin Durant has expanded his game beyond merely that of a scorer, and Westbrook has matured. The games will be closer, and the Thunder will not be embarrassed as they were last year, but in the end, the Heat will not be stopped. Durant will have to wait another year, as Wade wins his third, LeBron his second championship. So, to answer the question, no, no team can stop Miami. Heat in 6, LeBron James the MVP once again.