Shaq is done... has been for awhile. Sorry to be so blunt.
I think Chicago can pull away in the Hawks series.
Idk about Grizzlies/Thunder.
If LA doesn't win in Dallas game 3, they're done... but I still have hope they can turn it around. They are a team that is known for going on long slumps then coming back to win 17 of 18 games a few days later, as we saw throughout this season. Never count LA out till they're out. Kobe will do everything in his power to make sure they win game 3, if he pulls it off, the momentum of winning in Dallas, mixed with all the positive media-feedback they will get, they can easily go into Game 4 & even the series going to LA. Assuming this all did happen, which is very possible... imagine the momentum they will have coming home, regaining home court.
I think Miami is playing good because Boston is playing bad. Just like Dallas is playing good because LA is playing bad. Boston & LA don't look like themselves AT ALL. Therefore, it is making the teams that are beating them look greater. Think about it... Miami isn't putting up any amazing numbers out of the normal... neither is Dallas... but LA/Boston are putting up worse numbers then usual. I wouldn't get happy about Miami yet.
It's crucial Miami wins this season... because of the media pre-season & because of the market increase it'll give Miami. If Miami doesn't win this year, an possibly next year... that team will break up. The salaries they are on, THEY HAVE TO WIN - other wise - it's not worth playing for those salaries. They took a cut in pay to win, if they don't win then the Miami franchise doesn't win. When the franchise doesn't win, profits go down, profits go down, you start to cut or trade stars or those stars start demanding it.
IMHO Miami needs to win this Finals more then any other team in it this season. Boston would be 2nd, they need to show they are still contenders, LA can lose... because they've won the past 2, it's expected. Grizzlies don't have to, Chicago doesn't but it would be nice for Rose having won MVP. Dallas doesn't because they're use to not winning it, so it's nothing new & Atlanta... who cares.