With the NBA's regular season wrapping up last night, the real season is set to begin this weekend. 16 teams survived the 82-game marathon and have given themselves a chance at winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the honor of being able to call themselves champions.
Yet every single one of those teams has major questions that could make or break their playoff success.
We don't know what's going to happen over the next two months, we just know it's going to be exciting.
Western Conference
The Spurs somehow rebounded from last season's heartbreaking loss to Miami in the Finals to grab the top-seed in the West yet again. But do they have enough left in the tank to get back there for a second straight season?
It seemed like Kevin Durant and the Thunder were on a mission to redeem themselves after being upset by Memphis in the second-round of the playoffs last year. That can only be done in the playoffs, however. Do Durant and Russell Westbrook have enough help to survive a loaded Western Conference?
The Clippers brought in head coach Doc Rivers and revamped a good chunk of their roster with the intention of being a serious championship contender. They looked like that in the regular season, but can they keep it up in the playoffs?
Houston managed to grab superstar Dwight Howard in free agency, creating one of the most potent one-two combinations in the league with him and guard James Harden. Can the duo carry the Rockets back to their mid-1990's glory?
Portland was one of the more surprising and feel-good stories of the NBA season. They considerably outperformed expectations and were among the league's best teams until they struggled in the second half of the season. Can stars Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge continue their Cinderella story?
The Warriors brought almost everyone back from last year's incredibly exciting second-round team, and brought Olympian Andre Iguodala in the fold. Expectations were high in the Bay Area, but they're the six-seed for the second straight year. Will Golden State be able to redeem themselves in the postseason?
Memphis made the puzzling move of getting rid of head coach Lionel Hollins after a 56 win season last year. The Grizz struggled early in the year, but point guard Mike Conley and big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol managed to pull this team to the postseason. What can this team do for an encore after making the Western Conference Finals last season?
The Mavs struck out on landing another superstar free agent again this past offseason, but owner Mark Cuban added nine new faces to help bolster Dallas' struggling roster. They managed to squeak back into the playoffs after a one-year absence, but does Dirk Nowitzki have another playoff run in him?
Eastern Conference
The Pacers were world-beaters for a large portion of the NBA season, but really struggled - to put it nicely - down the stretch. Indiana got the top seed in the East they were hoping for, but will they be able to beat the Heat and earn a trip to the Finals?
The defending champs didn't do anything this season to make you think their reign atop the NBA would end this season. But do LeBron & Co. have enough to overcome history and win their third straight title?
Toronto was the beneficiary of a historically awful Atlantic Division, but that doesn't mean this young team can't play. But do they have enough talent to compete with the Eastern Conference's elite teams?
It was the same old story for the Bulls this year - superstar Derrick Rose misses essentially they whole season again, yet this team still found a way to scratch and claw their way to a high seed in the playoffs. Now that they're there, do they have enough left to do anything significant?
Washington made the biggest leap in the NBA this season, going from having the third pick in the draft to the fifth best team in the East. The big reason for that is because All-Star point guard John Wall took the next step in his development. Can the Wizards do the same?
Brooklyn brought in stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Celtics in the offseason, which was supposed to boost the Nets to the top of the Eastern Conference. First year head coach Jason Kidd and his team struggled early, but have been on a tear since the calendar turned to 2014. Can this team full of old veterans continue their hot streak in the postseason?
No, that's not a misprint. The Bobcats are actually in the playoffs. First year head coach Steve Clifford has this team playing elite defense, and big man Al Jefferson has become a star in his first year in Charlotte. But can they seriously challenge Miami in the first round?
Atlanta started the season with hopes of a high playoff seed, but after All-Star Al Horford got hurt, the Hawks really struggled. Yet they hung on to a playoff spot, and face the Pacers in the first round, who they had success against in the regular season. Can they pull the historic upset?
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