As the NBA season comes to a close, a look around the league offers a few interesting observations. While the top teams in the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to be successful, there are many surprises up and down in the standings. 

In the Eastern Conference, the teams trailing the Cavaliers have had extremely strong seasons. Both the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics were projected to be strong teams in the East but have outplayed those expectations. The Raptors have played exceptionally well, sitting only half a game behind the Thunder for the league’s fourth-best record. They have been led by a duo of All-Stars in point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. The team has set a new franchise record for victories and is poised for their first ever conference finals appearance. 

The Celtics are also in contention to make the Eastern Conference final as they continue to see the results of a successful rebuilding cycle. It was only three seasons ago that Boston shipped out its two aging stars in shooting guard Paul Pierce and center Kevin Garnett in return for multiple draft picks. The Celtics have used those selections, and a collection of others expertly gathered by general manager Danny Ainge, to form an impressive young nucleus that has put the team 14 games over .500. Led by All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas, the team has rallied around Head Coach Brad Stevens and is capable of playing with any of the top competitors in the NBA.

The Western conference has its own slew of teams beating out early season projections. The Portland Trail Blazers have proved all the pundits wrong by becoming the fifth seed in the conference. Viewed as a team with only one good player, in star guard Damian Lilliard, the Trail Blazers have put together a complete lineup. Along with Lilliard who has played at an MVP level, shooting guard CJ McCollum has been one of the most improved players in the league. Role players power forward Mason Plumlee and center Meyers Leonard have also recorded productive years. 

Also excelling in the West are the Memphis Grizzlies, who have endured hardship after hardship this season. The Grizzlies are the No. 6 seed in the conference, even while setting an NBA record for most players used in one season. It has been without its two best players, center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley, for much of the season and have lost time from key players such as power forward Zach Randolph and shooting guard Tony Allen. Memphis has withstood the lengthy injury report and is headed to the postseason with a resolute veteran roster that includes such old-timers such as Vince Carter.   

The 2015 to 2016 season has seen its fair share of disappointing teams as well. Both the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks were expected to compete for middle of the pack positions in the Eastern Conference. 

The Bulls were mentioned by experts as one of the only teams capable of sticking with the Cavaliers due to their deep roster of shooting guard Jimmy Butler, point guard Derrick Rose, center Pau Gasol and power forward Joakim Noah. Chicago has fallen totally flat, sitting at a .500 record and on the outside quietly looking into the  playoff picture. 

In his first season as head coach, Fred Hoiberg has been unable to hold the team together and fulfill its lofty projections. The Bucks as well have taken a significant step back. After a season in which it made the playoffs in head coach Jason Kidd’s first year, the Bucks kept thier core players in the offseason and added big man center Greg Monroe. The Bucks have completely fallen apart this year and currently sit 15 games under .500. 

With the playoff picture clear at this juncture of the season, April, May and June are seemingly poised to be as exciting and enjoyable as ever.