When you consider the number of basketball savvy writers on our staff and the number of opinions they have, it is obvious that we always go way too long between editions of the Three-Man Weave. But it is back.
In this edition, we take a look at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, the sizzling Atlanta Hawks and perhaps the best Shootout field in All-Star Weekend history.
1. Assuming the six teams in the East above .500 make the playoffs, which teams get the other two spots?
CHRIS SHERIDAN, PUBLISHER: Charlotte and Detroit. No doubt the injury to Brandon Jennings is a disaster, especially with the way he had led the Pistons’ turnaround. But Stan Van Gundy sounds as though he is ready to pull the trigger on acquiring a replacement, and I am a big believer in that coach, since he has never missed the playoffs. I am going with Charlotte ahead of Miami in spite of what Hassan Whiteside has brought to the Heat. I have just seen them turn in too many blah performances to have any faith in them. Also, I think Charlotte will make a move, sending away Lance Steohenson and bringing in someone who can actually score a point. (OK, I know Wednesday is a small sample size, but a goose egg?)
CHRIS BERNUCCA, MANAGING EDITOR: Charlotte and Miami. A week ago, I would have said Charlotte and Detroit, but 
I don’t see the Pistons overcoming the season-ending injury to Brandon Jennings, who was playing the best ball of his career and made that team go. They are now 0-6 without him. The Hornets have a similar problem with Kemba Walker but appear to have things figured out on the defensive end and look like they will be buyers at the trading deadline. The Heat have found a center in Hassan Whiteside, but more importantly, their group cares about winning and losing. Watch the Brooklyn Nets and tell me if you think they care.
SHLOMO SPRUNG, COLUMNIST: Miami and Brooklyn. Hassan Whiteside has brought an infusion of much-needed energy to this group and Erik Spoelstra is the best coach among the conference’s sub-.500 teams. Detroit won’t recover from losing Brandon Jennings and I’m not sure Charlotte can withstand losing Kemba Walker for at least six weeks. I was tempted to give Boston some consideration for the final spot, but that leaves the Nets. They have the talent to figure things out and a really good coach in Lionel Hollins. They should probably listen to him more — before it’s too late.
2. The Atlanta Hawks are up to 17 straight wins. Which upcoming game ends the streak?
SHERIDAN: Feb. 6 vs. Golden State, although I am tempted to say Feb. 2 at New Orleans because I have been seeing a lot of good things from the Pelicans lately, and I think Anthony Davis – as long as his groin issue isn’t serious – will get better and better as this season goes on. Also, the Pels need a statement win. But when the Warriors come to town, that is going to be a loss for the Hawks. Golden State is far and away the best team in the NBA right now. The Warriors will win by 10 or more.
BERNUCCA: Feb. 4 vs. Washington. I know everyone wants the Hawks to take their winning streak into their Feb. 6 home 
matchup with Golden State, and it’s hard to imagine a team playing as well as Atlanta having its streak end with a home loss. But the Wizards have the one element that bothers the Hawks – skilled bigs. As good as Atlanta’s defense has been during the streak, it has struggled at times with opposing 7-footers who can score. Washington should also have the motivation of avenging a 31-point loss at Atlanta on Jan. 11 and trying to remain within shouting distance of Atlanta in the Southeast.
SPRUNG: What if they never lose again? Jokes aside, they should probably be safe in Phillips Arena and I think they don’t lose until Feb. 8 in Memphis. The Grizzlies have a unique home-court advantage, good size inside, a strong perimeter defender in Tony Allen and the best chance to end Atlanta’s streak.
3. Who wins the 3-Point Shootout at All-Star Weekend?
SHERIDAN: Kyle Korver. I mentioned this in the MVP rankings, and it bears repeating: When Korver set the NBA record for 3-point accuracy five seasons ago in Utah, he attempted only 110 3-pointers and made 59 (.536). That is nothing compared to 
what he is doing this season, going 140-for-262 (.534). That is just sick. He should run away with this contest. And he should be named to the All-Star team, too.
BERNUCCA: Kyle Korver. There’s more than usual at stake, because this is probably the best field ever – and will definitely be if defending champion Marco Belinelli is added to the mix. This is a stand-and-shoot competition, which gives Korver an advantage over Stephen Curry. The All-Star guard of the Warriors is marvelous at creating space for himself off the dribble and making deep shots with a higher degree of difficulty, but that doesn’t come into play here – and probably explains why Curry’s .391 mark is 143 percentage points lower than Korver’s .534. I will be stunned if someone other than Korver or Curry wins.
SPRUNG: Picking Kyle Korver is boring to me, and 3-point shooting is all about being in rhythm. So which player in the league is more in the zone right now than Klay Thompson? I’ll predict that Korver fizzles out early and Thompson outshines Stephen Curry in the finals. I’m looking forward to this even more than the Slam Dunk Contest or the All-Star Game itself. It should be a ton of fun.