NBA Predictions 2011-2012: Who will Win it All? Will LeBron Earn the MVP Award?

The last time there was a shortened NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs swept the New York Knicks in 1999 Finals.

This time around, instead of a 50-game season, there will be 66 games -- just 16 short of the normal 82-game season. But just like 13 years ago, there will be special emphasis placed on team fitness as there will be just five months to fit those 66 games in the schedule.

While some teams may have more talent than others, the lack of rest between games may drain some of the squads that don't have players in their physical prime. Coaches will need to pay special emphasis on giving older players rest for the playoffs.

Predicting this season will be a tough challenge considering all the variables that go into a condensed season schedule. Expect uneven play from many players, as well as several coaching changes and trades.

In short, this should be a chaotic season.

Here's an early look at the conference and division breakdowns, and how things might look at the end of the season:

EAST:

ATLANTIC

3 New York

4 Philadelphia

5 Boston

New Jersey

Toronto

CENTRAL

2 Chicago

7 Milwaukee

Indiana

Detroit

Cleveland

SOUTHEAST

1 Miami

6 Atlanta

8 Orlando

Charlotte

Washington

WEST:

NORTHWEST

1 Oklahoma City

5 Utah

Denver

Portland

Minnesota

PACIFIC

3 Lakers

7 Clippers

Warriors

Suns

Kings

SOUTHWEST

2 Dallas

4 Memphis

6 San Antonio

8 Houston

New Orleans

PLAYOFFS

EAST First Round

1 Miami over 8 Orlando

5 Boston over 4 Philadelphia

3 New York over 6 Atlanta

2 Chicago over 7 Milwaukee

EAST Semi-Finals

Miami over Boston

New York over Chicago

EAST Finals

Miami over New York

WEST First Round

1 Oklahoma City over 8 Houston

5 Utah over 4 Memphis

2 Dallas over Clippers

3 Lakers over San Antonio

WEST Semi-Finals

Oklahoma City over Utah

Dallas over Lakers

WEST Finals

Oklahoma City over Dallas

NBA FINALS: Miami over Oklahoma City in five games.

Under head coach Erik Spoelstra, the Heat will play with more chemistry this season, and with more determination after falling short to Dallas last season. The Thunder have a superstar in Kevin Durant, which will rely heavily on his outside shooting, but the Thunder don't have enough to beat Miami. With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh under less scrutiny after a tumultuous season, and having spent a full season getting to know their teammates, the Heat deserve to be the favorites to lift the Larry O'Brien trophy in the 2011-2012 season.

AWARDS:

Coach of the Year: Tyrone Corbin, Utah

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Williams, Minnesota

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James, Miami