After one of the longest lockouts in the modern sports era, the Bodog NBA playoffs are only a few weeks away. As we near the end of the season, the East and Western Conferences, have combined for 16 teams, that all have a very real shot at winning the championship. In the East, the Heat are only two and a half games out of first, while the Lakers are three games out of first in the West. Today we will be providing some playoff predictions for you to bet on.

The Philadelphia 76ers will make the playoffs – As we close out the regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers have been dissected by the media, as a team that should they make the playoffs, won’t do anything once they get there. In the same way that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers the last two years, have lacked a true star player, so to do the 2012 76ers. Nevertheless, the overall team game of the 76ers, has allowed this exciting young group to surprise the big boys on many different nights. While Orlando tunes out Stan Van Gundy, the 76ers will tune in to the idea that they can make the NBA playoffs and do some damage.

Denver Nuggets will miss the playoffs – The Denver Nuggets have become of the most field good stories of professional sports over the last two years. After trading away stars Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony for half the New York Knicks 2010-11 roster, the Nuggets played some of their best basketball, making the NBA playoffs. Unfortunately, this season, reality has checked in, as the Nuggets lack of a true star, has really hurt their ability to climb over teams in the playoffs. On paper, the Nuggets should miss the playoffs, as they appear far too young and raw.