It's been a long five months since the NBA regular season got underway, and almost every headline you can think of has been written in that time span; but now the real action is set to get underway.
As per usual, the final seedings weren't decided until the final day of the season as teams in both conferences fought right to the end to book their ticket into the playoffs.
We watched as Russell Westbrook became only the second man in NBA history to finish the season averaging a triple-double, and we marvelled at how James Harden orchestrated the Houston Rockets offense behind incredible numbers.
The defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers looked like running through the Eastern Conference with ease until they forgot how to defend after the All-Star break, making them the second-worst defensively-rated team in the league during that span -- better only than the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the West, it looked like being a one-team show with the Warriors adding former MVP Kevin Durant but the Spurs were ready to pounce once he succumbed to injury. They briefly overtook the Warriors in the standings and made them seem human once and for all.
With all of that in mind, we're here to break down everything you need to know ahead of the NBA Playoffs -- from how each team made it to who their marquee men are -- before looking into each match-up and making some predictions of our own.
Who made it and how? -- Marquee men -- Round 1 Matchups -- ESPN's predictions -- NBA Finals -- MVP race
Who made it and how?
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 - Boston Celtics
What a surprise packet the Celtics have been after Brad Stevens had pieced together a roster that many assessed and thought they'd maybe push the top four not sit atop the rest. We all forgot to factor that Stevens is a genius.
The fourth-year head coach has utilised his roster behind the little engine that could in Isaiah Thomas, and they've rallied to the top of the East. A bad word has never been spoken about Stevens, but his coaching presence now will need to be more prominent than ever.
Behind a 9-3 finish to the season, the Celtics locked home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference Playoffs; with their raucous home crowd at the ready, opposing teams should be worried.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending champs came out like we all expected, dominating. When 2017 rolled around, the Cavs had a 25-7 win-loss record and looked certain to roll through the East with ease on their way to another trip to the NBA Finals.
But things turned sour After the All Star Break, is the Cavs struggled to get into any comfortable winning groove. Their record since the break is a startling 11-15, an absurd number for a team loaded with so much talent.
Thanks to their fast start to the season, the Cavaliers have maintained their standing among the top of the East; they will be hoping to flick the switch on their play and go back-to-back and secure the King his fourth championship ring.
3 - Toronto Raptors
Generally considered preseason to be the biggest threat to the Cavaliers' claim to the throne, the Raptors behind DeMar DeRozan looked set for a big season; the start wasn't as strong as they'd hoped but the finish of the season was exactly what they were looking for.
Having lost starting point guard Kyle Lowry after the All Star Break with a wrist injury, the Raptors reloaded at the trade table by bringing in Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker. Their depth is now up there among the best in the league.
Still reliant upon stars DeRozan and Lowry to deliver in order to get across the line, the Raptors will be looking for others to step up and help lessen the load. Ibaka has shown that he can be a hugely influential player on both ends and he'll be one to keep an eye on.
One of the top five offences in the league, the Wizards attack the paint relentlessly behind their backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal. Of the teams making the Playoffs, only six teams make fewer threes per game than the Wizards.
They live inside the arc and go after teams in the paint, Wall is one of the craftiest players, and he can get wherever he wants on the floor thanks to his blinding speed. Second in the league behind only the Warriors in steals, the Wizards are crafty and read passing lanes better than most.
With homecourt advantage locked up for their first round match-up, the Wizards will be looking to prove their rise up the standings was no fluke and that they're a legitimate contender.
5 - Atlanta Hawks
Let Jeff Teague leave and gave the starting keys to Dennis Schroder while also seeing Al Horford walk out the door. Atlanta re-tooled by bringing in Dwight Howard and then adding Ersan Ilysavoa midway through the season.
The Hawks don't do anything spectacular, and they don't have any crazy statistical advantages over other Playoff teams. So how then have they locked up the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference?
They don't go away, they never allow teams to blow them out, and they're always a chance to pull off the upset with the roster they have assembled. If the Hawks are close when the game is there to be won, you should consider getting behind them.
6 - Milwaukee Bucks
The young Bucks have been a problem for opposing teams all season long, and now they're about to be unleashed on the Playoff stage. They have incredible length all over the floor and rank 9th for opponents points per game.
They're led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has made an astronomical rise this season in his on-court production and leadership. With such a young group, though, the Bucks will look towards Matthew Dellavedova for his Playoff experience and understanding of the big moments.
Coach Jason Kidd will be hoping the youth of the Bucks doesn't prove to be their undoing, and that his coaching words of wisdom can lead them deep into the postseason.
7 - Indiana Pacers
Adding to the intrigue that is the NBA season, the Pacers waited until the final day to book their ticket to the Playoffs. Finishing the season with five straight wins is the perfect way to head into the postseason.
Paul George led the way for the Pacers, finishing in the top 15 scorers of the season with an average of 23.2 points per game.
Pushing the Cavaliers into a double-overtime battle less than two weeks ago will give the Pacers confidence that they can trouble the champions, and we don't count out the Pacers with the rest of the roster clicking.
8 - Chicago Bulls
Thanks to a soft finish to their regular season schedule, the Bulls finished at .500 and made their way into the Playoffs for a matchup against the Celtics.
They are one of the harder teams to understand as they'll topple the Cavaliers one night before losing to Dallas the next night. Can they find consistency off the back of two big wins to finish the season and make things interesting or will the city of Chicago be in for another long preseason?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The No. 1 offence in the league for the second season in a row, but that shouldn't really be a surprise after adding former MVP Kevin Durant. Golden State are as scary as ever and look set for redemption after last year's NBA Finals collapse.
The Spurs pounced and overtook the Warriors atop the standings when Durant went down with injury, but the Warriors heated up behind Steph Curry and rattled off 14 straight wins.
They have surpassed the Michael Jordan-led Bulls from the late '90s as the No. 1 side in wins over a three-season span -- with 204 -- and they have more offensive options than you can poke a stick at. With their quest for revenge burning bright, teams should be on notice.
Of course the Spurs finished second: the quietest, most efficient team in the NBA, they never receive any major fanfare -- like the Warriors or Cavaliers do -- and they wouldn't have it any other way.
After losing one of the best NBA forwards of all time in Tim Duncan, the worries surrounding the Spurs and their defence were talked about heavily. Within the Spurs organisation, though, nobody was worried.
Led by two-time defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have posted the second-best defence in the league and still possess one of the deepest rosters of the teams competing in the Playoffs. Never, ever, write off the Spurs.
3 - Houston Rockets
Things weren't supposed to be this way for Houston; after losing Dwight Howard at the end of last season the Rockets were expected to slide down the standings.
Daryl Morey had other ideas, however, and he retooled the Rockets around James Harden and set them up for a spectacular season. Harden produced outstanding numbers and would take the MVP comfortably were it not for Russell Westbrook.
They made a living behind the three-point line and shot more than any team in NBA history; that can be a recipe for disaster, but the Rockets' offence has clicked all season long thanks to the play of Harden.
4 - Los Angeles Clippers
Finishing in the top four for the fourth straight season, the Clippers were a little up and down this season due to injuries to key personnel.
When they're healthy, however, they're comfortably one of the best four sides in the league. With six players finishing the regular season averaging double-figure points, the Clippers' depth is one key weapon.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin again led the way for the Clippers, finishing 1 and 2 in both scoring and assists, and will be instrumental in their charge towards the Larry O'Brien trophy.
5 - Utah Jazz
Pundits say defence wins championships; if that saying continues to ring true than the Jazz could add a trophy to their pool room.
Leading the league in points allowed per game, the Jazz simply suffocate opposing offences and they will be looking to lock down further when the Playoffs get underway.
They finished the regular season with wins over the Warriors and Spurs to claim incredible confidence heading into a match-up against the Clippers.
Much like the Rockets, things weren't supposed to go this way for the Thunder. When a player like Kevin Durant leaves town, you're always going to struggle to fill in the gaps.
The Thunder brought in plenty of spare parts throughout the season, but Russell Westbrook was their one constant -- showing us continually that he is an individual wrecking ball.
Finishing the season with triple-double averages, Russ got a final day's rest and will now ramp that energy level up to 110 percent in his battle against James Harden in the first round.
The Grit'n'Grind Grizzlies have made their way back into the postseason, and have probably grabbed the ideal match-up for their style of play.
Behind the richest contract in NBA history, Mike Conley has led from the front. Leading the team in scoring and assists, his ability to pair up with Marc Gasol was vital to the team's success.
They have never played an enticing brand of basketball; they prefer to turn games into a slog and will look to do the same when they square off against the Spurs.
They didn't leave it until the final day, like the Bulls and Pacers, but things were just as tense in Portland in the final week.
After acquiring Jusuf Nurkic from Denver, the Blazers rallied and put together a 12-4 run to finish off the season and set themselves up for a match-up with the Warriors.
The Blazers' backcourt is arguably one of the best in the league, and they'll put that mantle on the line when they square off against Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Can Lillard and McCollum get the job done?
Marquee Men
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 - Boston Celtics
Isaiah Thomas became Mr. Fourth Quarter during the regular season, and even threw his hat among the MVP candidates. Finished the season among the top three scorers with an average of 29.1, behind only James Harden (29.5) and Russell Westbrook (31.2).
If banner No. 18 is to be hung in the TD Garden, Thomas will need to take his regular-season heroics to a whole new level and deliver big fourth quarters when it matters most.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
It can't be anybody but LeBron James. The King is everything for the Cavaliers. Yes it was Kyrie Irving who hit the big shot over Steph Curry in last year's NBA Finals, but it is James who puts the team in a position to win night in and night out.
Going back to back is no easy feat, and the Cavs need all of James' extraordinary talents to be at the forefront of their attack every single game if they are any chance of doing so.
3 - Toronto Raptors
DeMar DeRozan is the Raptors' go to scorer, the player who is often given the ball during crunch time of a regular season game. The heart and soul of this Raptors side, however, lies within their starting point guard, Kyle Lowry.
Lowry has not played since the All Star break due to an injured wrist, but he will be instrumental in his team's chances of getting back to the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond.
4 - Washington Wizards
John Wall is the obvious choice here, and he will be integral to the Wizards' hopes of advancing deep into the playoffs; yet we're going with his backcourt running mate, Bradley Beal after lifting his scoring averages this season alone by 5.7 points per game.
Beal will need to continue knocking down shots at the rate he has all season long, and help to relieve some of the pressure that will fall on Wall's shoulders. If he can do that, the Wizards might just surprise a few teams.
5 - Atlanta Hawks
Dwight Howard is paramount to the Hawks' chances; they need his gigantic shoulders to do a lot of heavy lifting inside the key if they're any hope of advancing. But forward Paul Millsap is more integral to the Hawks on both the inside and outside.
Quite possibly one of the most unheralded players in the league, Millsap doesn't do anything flashy; he just gets the job done day in and day out. His steady presence will be vital for the Hawks as they'll look to topple a higher-seeded side.
6 - Milwaukee Bucks
With a wing span similar to that of a pterodactyl, and seemingly more letters in his name than the alphabet, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a mesmerising player. His length is enough to disrupt any pass, and his ability to cover the entirety of the floor in only a few steps is unparalleled.
In what will be his first Playoff visit, Antetokounmpo will be looked at by his Bucks' teammates to provide leadership and a steady hand when the game is on the line. Will Antetokounmpo show us what he's truly capable of on the biggest stage? Milwaukee is hoping so.
7 - Indiana Pacers
The cover athlete of the NBA 2k17 video game, Paul George has provided all fans with a remarkable comeback from that sickening injury sustained during a Team USA scrimmage. If you needed any proof of just how good George can be, watch this battle against LeBron James.
Reputations are built in the Playoffs, and it was only a few seasons ago that we all watched as George led the Pacers into a deep fight with the Cavaliers. George is near impossible to stop when he's on song, and he'll be looking to regain that form when the ball is tipped.
8 - Chicago Bulls
Despite mid-season trade rumours, Jimmy Butler has elevated his play in the closing months to ensure the Bulls returned to the Playoffs with a chance at pulling off an upset. Despite never being a solid threat from deep, Butler makes a living inside the key and from the free-throw line.
Bumping his scoring numbers up dramatically this season, he'll need to take them a step further when the Playoffs begin if they want to make it into the second round. Can Butler deliver the goods for the city of Chicago or will an early exit and off-season full of trade speculation ensue?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 - Golden State Warriors
How do you pick just one? Steph and Klay can both explode for 30 in the blink of an eye and KD is just as deadly even coming off an injury. Instead we're looking at Draymond Green, one of the most versatile big men in the league.
He defends at the rim like Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert and can guard players on the perimeter just as well. He will continue to stuff the stat sheet and will need to continue being the Warriors' attack dog if they're to claim a second title in three seasons.
2 - San Antonio Spurs
We'd love to put Patty Mills here, but much as he does play a big role as a part of the second unit no player is more important to the Spurs success than Kawhi Leonard. Arguably the game's best two-way player, Leonard can shut down opposing team's stars while scoring close to 30 points.
The winner of the past two defensive player of the year awards, Leonard has continued to develop and expand his offensive game and finished the regular season among the top 10 in points (25.9). The Spurs will need his two-way ability to be on every game if they're to survive the West.
3 - Houston Rockets
Having battled Steph Curry for the 2014/15 NBA MVP, James Harden again finds himself engaged in a colossal point guard battle for the MVP. People didn't have high hopes for the Rockets when Dwight Howard left Houston, but Harden orchestrated the Rockets' offence to become the second-most efficient team all season long. He has continually put up absurd numbers and sits second in points per game while leading the league in assists per game. Can he outduel Westbrook in their first-round meeting?
4 - Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul will go down as one of the better point guards in NBA history when all is said and done, but the Clippers will be reliant upon another star player to perform if they're to make a big push in the playoffs. Blake Griffin has otherworldly talents, and he must be at his best if the Clippers are to go deep into the Playoffs.
Griffin has a tendency to fade in the biggest and brightest moments, but he has the ability to single-handedly take over a game and win it almost on his own. Can he shine and carry the Clippers towards the ultimate glory or will he hide from the light?
5 - Utah Jazz
Only one big man in the league has a DPRM higher than 5, and that player is Rudy Gobert. Leading the league with 2.67 blocks per game and pulling in 12.8 rebounds per game, Gobert is a leading contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
In his first Playoffs appearance Gobert will be relied upon to continue being the Jazz's defensive anchor if the team is to escape the brutal Western Conference. The Jazz have built their foundations on the defensive end, and that stops and starts with Gobert.
6 - Oklahoma City Thunder
History was made during the regular season when Russell Westbrook broke the 55-year triple-double record held by Oscar Robertson. Thoroughly deserving of the 2016/17 MVP award, Westbrook has carried the Thunder to a sixth place finish.
Things looked bleak in Oklahoma when Kevin Durant left town, but Westbrook seized the moment and took the league by storm. Making triple-doubles seem common place, he'll need to continue producing at his remarkable output if their season is to be prolonged.
7 - Memphis Grizzlies
After signing the richest contract in NBA history, Mike Conley increased his scoring output and shooting averages while leading the Grizzlies back into the Playoffs in the crowded West. With the amount of money the Grizzlies signed Conley for, they'll be expecting a big output.
Conley has raised his on-court output in the Playoffs every season, but the league has watched him like a hawk after inking his newest contract. He'll need to produce career-best numbers to repay the faith and lead the Grizzlies through their tough path.
8 - Portland Trail Blazers
The heart and soul of the Blazers lies within the 6'1" frame of point guard Damian Lillard; you know he's going out all guns blazing every time he graces the hardwood with the uniform on. Has a penchant for hitting key clutch shots, and that'll be called upon big time.
Finishing last among the conference Playoffs qualifiers is never going to be a pleasant ride for any team, even more so when you look at who the opponent is. Dame, as he's more commonly known, won't shy away fro the challenge and will hope to take down the superpower Warriors.
Matchups
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Celtics #1 vs. Chicago Bulls #8
These two teams last met in the Playoffs in the first round back in 2009, when they put on one of the best series you're likely to see.
The season series was split 2-2, but the Celtics hold a 73 percent chance of winning series according to ESPN Basketball Power Index. The Celtics have the top seed for the first time since the 2007/08 season, when they went on to win the NBA title.
Chicago don't have a kind record against the Celtics in the postseason, with a record of 3-14 making Bostons their "worst" postseason opponent. Can the Bulls pull off the upset or will the Celtics march into the second round?
Cleveland Cavaliers #2 vs. Indiana Pacers #7
The last No. 2 seed to win the NBA title was the LeBron James-led Miami Heat back in 2012, against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Surprisingly enough, the Heat toppled the Celtics in seven games at the Eastern Conference Finals that year.
Paul George and the Pacers have engaged in plenty of intense Playoffs battles but it is always LeBron james who walks away the victor. The Pacers do come into this match-up having won their final five games of the season while the Cavaliers have dropped their past four.
Having won the season series 3-1, the Cavaliers will be hoping for more of the same while the Pacers will be hoping to push the games to the limits like they did in the final regular season meeting. Can they turn the tables on the Cavs or will LeBron again prove the difference?
Toronto Raptors #3 vs. Milwaukee Bucks #6
The Raptors have been here plenty of times; they know what the Playoffs are about and they know what to expect when that ball tips.
A lot of the young Bucks are finding themselves in unfamiliar territory, and they could take time to adjust to the difference the Playoffs brings. These two sides haven't met since the early days of March when the Bucks took the chocolates in front of their home crowd. That was their only win of the season series after the Raptors won the opening three games.
If the Bucks are to upset the Raptors, they'll need to lock in defensively and use their length to disrupt passing lanes. Shutting down DeMar DeRozan is the key, but this could be over early if Kyle Lowry discovers his form.
Washington Wizards #4 vs. Atlanta Hawks #5
Dwight Howard is still a dominant rim protector in the NBA, and his output will be immensely vital for the Atlanta Hawks if they're to take down the Wizards. John Wall loves to get into the teeth of the defence and either attack the rim or find open teammates.
If Dwight and the Hawks can halt Wall and his drives, they may just hamper the Wizards' potent offense and make this a grind-out series. For the Wizards, they'll want John Wall to continue his impressive form and break the defence down.
These two met in their season opener with Atlanta winning that one comfortably. Since then it has been all Washington. Can the Wizards' offence prove too potent or will the Hawks click defensively?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden State Warriors #1 vs. Portland Trail Blazers #8
Surely not, right? The Warriors owned the season series 4-0 with an average winning margin of 19.5 points. That number gets even crazier when you consider the margin was only two points the last time these two met.
It may seem crazy to consider the Blazers could pull off the upset, but let's look back to last year when these two met in the second round. The Warriors won that series in five games, but the Blazers led for more minutes than the Warriors.
Behind Damian Lillard, the Blazers will go out with nothing to lose; they'll take the challenge right up to the Warriors. Can they find a way to slow them down or will this just be an all-out shootout?
San Antonio Spurs #2 vs. Memphis Grizzlies #7
This could actually be one of the better first round series you'll watch. That is if the regular season is anything to go by, with the series tied at 2-2. Memphis took the opening two encounters before the Spurs bounced back in the final two.
Anytime the Grizzlies and Spurs face off, you can count on one thing: It's not going to be a high scoring affair. Both teams love to slog it out and really make it a grind on both ends of the floor.
With both teams ranking in the top three in terms of points allowed per game, don't expect any fireworks to come from this series. Can the Spurs assert their will or can the Grizzlies grind out a series win and cause the upset?
Houston Rockets #3 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder #6
This is the one everyone has been hoping for; if you're not excited for this first-round match-up then maybe basketball isn't your thing. The two MVP front-runners in James Harden and Russell Westbrook are set to face off.
In their four meetings this season, no game was decided by more than eight points. The Rockets did win the series 3-1 but it was a far from convincing as Westbrook did all that he could to keep things close. He actually led the scoring in each meeting during the regular season.
Can the Rockets find an answer for the enigma that is Russell Westbrook or will they rely on their own potent offense, ranked second in the league, to get them across the line and into the second round?
Los Angeles Clippers #4 vs. Utah Jazz #5
It took until the third last game of the regular season for this match-up to be decided. They knew they were going to be playing but who was going to have the home court was at stake.
The Clippers managed to eek out enough wins towards the end to secure the right to host the first match-up, but the Jazz are coming off two big wins to show they are no pushover.
During the regular season, the Clippers won the match-up 3-1 and managed to hold the Jazz to minimal scores during their three wins. Can Utah turn the tables on the Clippers?
Predictions
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Celtics vs. Bulls: Chicago to pull out one crazy game before the Celtics run away with it. 4-1
Cavaliers vs. Pacers: It's either going to be a sweep or go the distant; I'm going the latter. Cavs 4-3
Raptors vs. Bucks: Toronto and their new pieces look the goods; should do it just. 4-2
Wizards vs. Hawks: This is where the upset lies in the East, Hawks to fly higher. Atlanta 4-3
SECOND ROUND
Celtics vs. Hawks: Better match-up here for the Celtics rather than the Wizards. Boston to march on. 4-2
Cavaliers vs. Raptors: The shock of the Pacers will spark the Cavaliers into action. They'll do this one comfortably. 4-1
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Celtics vs. Cavaliers: Home court advantage is huge here and will hold the Celtics in good stead, but the Cavaliers will right the ship. 4-3
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Warriors vs. Blazers: It's going to be an old-school shootout, Warriors have too many weapons. 4-1
Spurs vs. Grizzlies: Grizz always fight but the Spurs are a different beast. 4-0
Rockets vs. OKC: If you're to watch one series, make it this one. Will be a barn burner. Rockets 4-3
Clippers vs. Jazz: The Jazz are too strong defensively in this match-up. 4-2
SECOND ROUND
Warriors vs. Jazz: It's offence versus defence. Can the Jazz stop the machine? Not this year. Warriors 4-3
Spurs vs. Rockets: Rockets to live and ultimately kill the Spurs with their three ball. Rockets 4-2
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Warriors vs. Rockets: The league's two best offenses go toe to toe. Warriors far too strong. 4-2
NBA Finals
Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
It's the third installment of this epic rivalry and while it may not live up to the spectacle we witnessed last season, it will be every bit as tense.
The Warriors have be seething since they let slip a 3-1 lead last season and with Kevin Durant on their side they'll look to punish the Cavs.
LeBron James will be chasing his fourth championship and will be hoping his teammates can step up like they did last season.
Can Steph Curry perform to the standards we've come to expect of him on the biggest stage of all or will the moment again get the better of him?
Prediction: Warriors will punish the Cavaliers on their way to the title. 4-2
MVP
Take your pick of either LeBron, Curry, Durant, Kyrie or Klay and you couldn't go wrong.
The most important player for the Warriors is still Draymond Green.
He'll be asked to cover Kevin Love, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving throughout the course of the series, and he has to win the MVP if he can do that job while still producing his normal output on the offensive end.