As the NBA playoffs finally descend upon us, it’s important to remember one thing. The regular season, especially the last couple of weeks of it, are an illusion.

Most of the seedings are generally set and the top teams are trying to rest up for the postseason, while the bottom feeders are playing all-out before their much-awaited vacations start.

So, while the Celtics and Lakers struggled down the stretch, it’s easy to say that they’re old and running out of gas.

However, at least one of these two teams is headed to the NBA finals and I’m leaning towards the L.A. Lakers, somewhat due to a regular season performance.

But this wasn’t any old regular season game. This was the Lakers playing for the No. 2 seed at Sacramento in what could be the Kings last game in the city.

Over the years the Lakers have handed Sacramento some major playoff disappointments so after the Kings erased a 20-point fourth quarter deficit the house was rocking. Beat L.A. chants were flying as well as chants of defense throughout the last eight minutes.

With everything against them, the Lakers found a way as Kobe Bryant drilled a three over Samuel Alembert to tie the game with five seconds left and he blocked Marcus Thornton’s game winner at the other end of the court to force overtime.

In OT, the Lakers looked like the Lakers again. I know it’s just one game, but I consider the switch turned on and I’m picking L.A. to win their third straight title.

As for the East, Boston has a chance to get back, but I think Miami’s finally figured out how to run things with their three superstars. They’re a year away from a title, but I think they’ll get to the finals this year.

L.A. Lakers over Miami Heat in six.