N is for Dallas power forward Dirk Nowitzki, who loves to play against San Antonio, the Mavs first test in the playoffs. The Spurs will be without Manu Ginoboli, so Nowitzki knows the chance is there for Dallas — just three years removed from its NBA Finals collapse against the Heat — to avoid a third consecutive first-round exit.

O is for the long odds that the NBA Finals do not end up matching LeBron and Co. against Kobe and Co. It’s a show meant to play the league’s biggest stage, and one the fans and media — as well as NBA commissioner David Stern — crave.

P is for Cleveland’s point differential of +8.9, the best in the league, and just another reason the Cavs have such a strong chance at winning the title.

Q is for Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavs went 39-2 this season. That’s tied for the second-best home record in the history of professional basketball.

R is for Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace, and whatever he is smoking. The Pistons won just 39 games this season, and they face Cleveland in the first round. Yet, Wallace is running his mouth, saying he thinks his team will regain its playoff swagger, and that it has a shot to win the NBA title. Only in your dreams, Rasheed.

S is for Chicago swingman John Salmons, a late bloomer (drafted in 2002), who came to the Bulls in a mid February trade with the Kings. He has filled a void for Chicago, which has lacked a player of his size (6-foot-6), who can both break opponents down off the dribble, and drain three-pointers.

T is for Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas, whose logic is lost on all when he claims the Bulls — they of a 41-41 record — are “the most dangerous team going into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference right now.”

U is for Miami power forward Udonis Haslem, who a day before the Heat’s playoff opener against Atlanta will have six stitches removed from his right thumb. Haslem missed the last six games of the regular season due to the injury. Miami needs him back and playing well against the Hawks.

V is for Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao, who has recovered after recently taking one for the team in a very sensitive area. Varejao was elbowed in the groin by Ray Allen of the Celtics, who for his misbehavior received a one-game suspension from the NBA. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he was surprised by the suspension, but added the target of the elbow may have played a role in the punishment. You think?

W is for Miami’s Dwyane Wade, the NBA’s scoring champion, who enters the playoffs angry. Says Wade, “Keep doubting me. Keep doubting us. Keep doubting our team. I like that." The Hawks, the first-round opponents of the Heat, would be wise to either say nice things about Wade and Miami or say nothing at all.

X is for the X-factor Utah’s Carlos Boozer represents in the team’s first-round series against the Lakers. Since returning from knee surgery, there have been too many instances where Boozer has failed to bring his "A" game. He must be at his best against Los Angeles for the Jazz to make it a series.

Y is for Philadelphia’s Thaddeus Young who looks recovered from a right ankle injury. Young is an explosive player, and the Sixers need him to be at his explosive best in their first-round encounter with Orlando.

Z is for Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who missed 17 games this season with a left ankle injury. That ankle needs to hold up in the playoffs or else the Cavs’ title chances take a major hit.

Also on NBCSports.com Rosenthal: Steelers’ struggles could sink their playoff hopes Circling the Bases: Halladay to Cubs? That’s unlikely College Football Talk: Weis to resign? That’s ‘not happening’ Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is NBA’s MVP  |  Fan Ranker Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

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