Eastern Conference
It may be getting stronger by the year, but the Eastern Conference still goes through LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers.
The defending champion narrowly finished as the second seed and snuck past the Indiana Pacers in its first match yesterday.
However, it is tough not to see the Cavs as the team to beat.
James remains the best player in the game, a big athlete who can score in a variety of ways, passes as well as most in the league and is an elite defender when he needs to be.
He showed he could step it up in last year's playoffs and, in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, he has two handy sidekicks.
It will be no easy job this year though.
The Boston Celtics are coming off a 53-win season, topping the East and being led by 175cm guard Isaiah Thomas.
Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game this season and has provided the Celtics with an elite scoring threat.
He has plenty of handy options around him too, notably big man Al Horford.
The Celtics will probably breeze past the Chicago Bulls to meet the winner of the Washington Wizards versus Atlanta Hawks series.
Coming of their best season in recent times, the Wizards are another threat to claim the conference title.
They have an ace point guard who can do it all in John Wall, while Bradley Beal joins him to form one of the league's most imposing backcourts.
Look for them to get out in transition and play a fast-paced game.
The Toronto Raptors were toppled at home in game one against the Milwaukee Bucks, but look to be the other contender to topple the Cavs.
Western Conference
Not quite as dominant as last season, but still the league's best team, the Golden State Warriors enter as favourites to win the whole thing.
On the back of a 67-win season, the team possesses several of the NBA's best offensive weapons.
Swingman Kevin Durant at 2.1m is the league's most versatile scorer and returned to the line-up last week after a five week injury lay-off.
He joins arguably the game's two best shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, as well as forward Draymond Green to form an imposing big four.
They should account comfortably for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The NBA's other 60-win team, the San Antonio Spurs, should do same for the Memphis Grizzlies.
In Kawhai Leonard, the Spurs boast the league's best two-way player and he has a deep, experienced team around him.
James Harden shot into MVP contention with a huge season, as he led the Houston Rockets to the third seeding.
He will be key to the Rockets' chances and is surrounded by the league's most deadly three-point shooting team.
In the Rockets' way is Steven Adams, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder tends to ride the back of Westbrook and, while he is capable of carrying it to a few wins, it would be hard to see it going too deep.
That leaves the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz, both of whom are capable of beating anyone.
However, winning four series in a row might be beyond both.
Prediction
Warriors to beat the Cavaliers in seven games.
It is hard to go past a third consecutive Cavs versus Warriors finals.
The Spurs will push the Warriors all the way, while the Cavs face a tough challenge in whoever they face in the conference finals.
However, experience will prevail.
From there it is hard not to pick such a talent-laden Warriors team.
Write James off at your peril though. The man was instrumental in overcoming a 3-1 deficit last year, pulling off an improbable win.
He is very much capable of doing something similar, although that choke will leave the Warriors more determined than ever.
