Seeds of doubt.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson likes to say championships aren't won in December and January, but his team proved last year that April might be a good month to start winning them.

The Lakers went 9-1 in the regular season's final month, leaping from the middle of the pack in the West to a No. 2 seed. With the 16 playoff teams all but set this season, the final month can be just as rewarding for some teams because all but a few of the seeds are in doubt. Barring an unlikely uprising by the Raptors, Heat or Wizards in the East, April will be about battling for position, not playoff spots.

EAST

Player to watch Ray Allen, SG, Bucks.

He missed seven games in December with a sore knee, but the pain never stopped. He hasn't scored 30 points since February 15 and was back on the sideline when the knee injury flared up last week. The trouble is that Milwaukee can't afford for him to take a rest.

Most to lose Boston. Starting last Friday, the Celtics began a tough stretch of five straight games against playoff teams: the Mavericks, Bucks, Pacers, Lakers and Nets. If Boston doesn't win at least two of the five games, dropping from a third seed to sixth is possible. For a team that hasn't made the playoffs in seven seasons, the two things at stake in April--homecourt advantage in the first round and confidence entering the postseason--are absolutely essential.

Most to gain Milwaukee. With the top two seeds in the East almost certain to go to the Nets and Pistons--two teams that have little playoff experience on their rosters--the No. 3 spot is highly coveted because it could hold up as a homecourt seed in the conference final. If Boston falters, the Bucks, who had a March to forget, have the talent to climb fast. All 10 of their April games are against the East, and Milwaukee is 26-17 against the East this season.