How much magic can Dwyane Wade conjure?
The Hawks might have better starters than the Heat at every position except for shooting guard. But that shooting guard is Wade. Do not forget that this is the same player who scored at least 36 points in four straight NBA Finals games in 2006. This time around, he does not have Shaquille O’Neal to lean on. But he was the scoring champion this season for a reason, and referees love him — he will make a living at the free-throw line. A possible Wade-James matchup looms large for the second round. Q Will the Spurs fail to advance past the first round for the first time since 2000? The Spurs somehow won the Southwest Division, but playoff success seems unlikely. In addition to being without Manu Ginobili, who will miss the post-season because of stress fracture in his right ankle, the Spurs have also been contending with a struggling Tim Duncan. Duncan suffered through poor outings against Cleveland and Portland down the stretch, and nearing 33, he is showing signs of wearing down. Sudden
