The 2017 NBA playoffs have finally arrived and the  quest for the Larry O’Brien Trophy has heated up. Despite the anticipated playoff drama, the end of the regular season came and went without much fanfare. Possibly the biggest surprise was the sloppy play of the Cleveland Cavaliers as they lost two straight games to the Atlanta Hawks, the No.-5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Adding insult to injury, the Hawks didn’t even play any of their starters in their 114-110 win over the Cavs on April 7. Despite those bad losses, most people haven’t lost confidence in Cleveland as their favorite to win the East again this year. The dark horse contender coming out of the East looks to be Boston, who finished the regular season strong to steal the No. 1 seed in the East from the Cavs. Isaiah Thomas is having the best season of his career this year with the Celtics, averaging 28.9 points per game, going 46.3 percent from the field and leading his team to a 53-29 record. They’re predicted to be the main rivals to Cleveland for the East title but have been struggling against the No. 8-seed Chicago Bulls thus far, dropping game one 106-102 at home. An interesting statistical anomaly associated with this matchup is the Bulls’ oddly stellar performance when their games are broadcasted on the TNT television network. Chicago has won the last 20 consecutive home games that were broadcast on the network, and their playoff win on Sunday afternoon, broadcast on TNT, has fueld discussion online about what could be the cause.

Another hot topic in league is this year’s race for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Most, inclusing myself, expect to see Russell Westbrook, point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, taking home the award this year. It’s hard to make a case for anyone else, as Westbrook put up absurd numbers in 2016-17, averaging a triple-double (31.6 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 10.4 apg) and breaking Oscar Robertson’s age-old record for triple-doubles in a single season with 42. He also passed Wilt Chamberlain to move into fourth place on the all-time triple doubles list with 79 in his career tbus far.

James Harden has also made a case for MVP, elevating the play of everyone around him to turn a Houston Rockets team that no one expected to be competitive this season into an offensive juggernaut. Both are worthy candidates, which means that June’s award ceremony should be a fitting end to what has proven to be a remarkable season of NBA basketball.