NBA playoff capsules

No. 1 Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston

* Season series: Lakers, 4-0.

* Buzz: The Lakers are 5-2 against the Rockets over two seasons, and 3-1 in Houston. One of the Rockets’ wins was in last season’s opener in Staples Center, the one in which Kobe Bryant was booed by Lakers fans, but a lot has changed since then.

The Rockets were No. 7 on defense this season, giving up 95 points a game -- but 102 to the Lakers. On offense, the Rockets depend on Yao Ming, but Phil Jackson is known for taking away opponents’ first and second options, and the Rockets don’t have that many.

* Prediction: Nothing tangible suggests Houston will be a lot of trouble -- but as tough and as competitive as the Rockets are, they’re not the kind of team anyone pushes aside. If the Lakers are as casual as they were against Utah, they could have a lot of trouble, indeed. Lakers 4, Rockets 2.

No. 2 Boston vs. No. 3 Orlando

* Season series: Tied, 2-2.

* Buzz: The prospect of facing the 59-win Magic in the second round was bad enough before the Celtics’ epic struggle against Chicago, which made last spring’s seven-game first-round series against Atlanta look like a pleasure cruise.

Suggesting the Celtics were out on their feet by the end, Rajon Rondo, who had gone almost two games without a turnover, turned the ball over five times in the second half of Game 7, and he is 23, to Paul Pierce’s 31 and Ray Allen’s 33.

The Magic isn’t what it was with Jameer Nelson, but with Dwight Howard and all its shooters, it is still good enough to put the Celtics away.

* Prediction: TNT’s Reggie Miller says Kevin Garnett will be back in this series, and they’re pals. Or the leprechaun will suit up and average 15. At this point, I’m not picking against the Celtics. Boston 4, Orlando 3.

-- Mark Heisler