By Sam Amico / the Amico Report

The numbers next to each team are Sam Amico's predicted finishes in the division. This is the Atlantic division. These are not the consensus predictions of Inside Hoops. Our predictions come this week.

4. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich, 12th year.

Last season, 28-54, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Yao Ming (r), F Maurice Taylor, F Glen Rice, G Cuttino Mobley, G Steve Francis.

Key subs: F Eddie Griffin, F Kenny Thomas, G Moochie Norris, C Kelvin Cato, G/F Bostjan Nachbar (r), G/F Oscar Torres.

New faces: Ming, Nachbar, G Tito Maddox (r).

Strengths: When healthy, Francis is as good as any guard in the league -- and Mobley is the perfect compliment. The Rockets are particularly deep at forward, and improved in that area with the addition of a healthy Taylor and rejuvenated Rice. Griffin has all-star potential and only needs to be more consistent.

Weaknesses: The Rockets have a tendency to just give up when trailing late in games. There are also too many instances in which Francis or Mobley go one-on-one and throw up crazy shots. Hopefully, a lot of that had to do with the fact the entire team was injured last season.

Outlook: No one's sure how good Ming will be, but it's a safe bet that he's not Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or even David Robinson. In other words, he's not the type of talent that will lift the Rockets from 28 to 58 wins in a season. Still, even without Ming, the Rockets would be much-improved -- simply because Taylor and Francis are healthy again, and guys like Griffin and Thomas seem to be making strides. The Rockets also possess strong perimeter shooting and a player's coach in Tomjanovich. Bottom line? They'll be better, but still a season or two away from being taken seriously in the stacked West.

Radio: KILT-610 AM (KYST-920 AM for Spanish broadcast).

5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Coach: Flip Saunders, eighth year.

Last season: 50-32, lost to Dallas in first round of playoffs.

Starters: C Rasho Nesterovic, F Joe Smith, F Kevin Garnett, G Wally Szczerbiak, G Troy Hudson.

Key subs: G Anthony Peeler, F Gary Trent, F/C Marc Jackson, G Terrell Brandon (when healthy), G/F Kendall Gill, C Loren Woods.

New faces: Hudson, Gill, G Maurice Taylor (r).

Strengths: A lot of skeptics say Garnett had a down year last season, but he averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds. In other words, Garnett is still one of the league's top five players, and if he had some consistent help ... who knows how good the Timberwolves could be? Truth is, Garnett can do it all from everywhere. Meanwhile, Szczerbiak only takes, and usually makes, the best of shots. Saunders is one of the brightest in the business.

Weaknesses: The Wolves may have won 50 games, but plenty of flaws were exposed late in the season and in the playoffs. Mostly, can anyone on this team play well in the low post on a regular basis? Minnesota tends to survive on the perimeter, and that never lasts long.

Outlook: Garnett won't allow the Timberwolves to fall too far, but this is a team with questions at center and point guard. The Wolves got worse by losing Chauncey Billups and learning that Terrell Brandon's knees may end him. Other key West teams improved themselves. Another move will have to be made if these guys ever want to get out of the first round. Then again, they may not even make it that far this year.

Radio: KFAN 1130-AM.