NBA playoff standings we hope to see this season, including LeBron vs. Zion, Lakers vs. Clippers

March is here, which means the NBA playoffs are upon us. At this point in the season, teams have only about six weeks left to make their last place in the standings or simply to carve out a place for themselves. Playoff basketball is inherently compelling, but not all games are created equal. Some are simply better – and more exciting – than others.

With that in mind, here's a look at the top six potential playoff contests we've seen this spring. Although these series are obviously far from guaranteed, they would certainly constitute an extremely interesting basketball if they did. With the playoffs still in the air, it should be noted that these potential confrontations could occur at any time during the playoffs, from the first round to the finals.

6. Toronto Raptors versus Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have clearly dominated this season, but the Raptors are still the defending Eastern Conference (and NBA) champions. In order for Milwaukee to continue her masterful regular season with an NBA title, she will ultimately have to dethrone Toronto out of the East and advance to the final. A streak between the two teams would represent revenge from last season’s conference finals, and given the way that streak ended (the Raptors won four straight after Milwaukee won the first two games ), we can say that the NBA title MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the rest of his team, will be looking for revenge.

Kawhi Leonard is outside the equation, but the Raptors still have tons of talent – including Pascal Siakam, who has turned into an elite All-Star. Toronto also has experience, and it will certainly not give up the title of best team in the East without a valiant fight. These two teams have established themselves as the conference class in the past two seasons, and we can expect nothing less than a well-contested and well-played series at both ends of the floor.

5. New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers

There would be no shortage of scenarios in this one. To begin with, a trio of young Pelicans players – Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart – would seek to stick with their old franchise after being openly shopped and finally traded in New Orleans for Anthony Davis during the Off-season. Speaking of Davis, he basically forced him out of New Orleans, and the fans there haven't forgotten. There is always bad blood, and as a result, Davis would be motivated to show them exactly why he decided to leave.

Then there is the battle between LeBron James and Zion Williamson, the present versus the future of the NBA. A playoff confrontation between these two generational stars at this point in their respective careers would be one of those memorable moments etched in history books. Williamson has been the most eager candidate to enter the league since James himself, and so far he has been up to the task. And whileJames clearly respects Williamson, he doesn't seem ready to pass the torch yet, although Williamson will do his best to take it on. These two would certainly present a show that the basketball world would like to see.

4. Miami Heat versus Philadelphia 76ers

The Heat has exceeded expectations this season. On the other hand, the Sixers did not. As a result, the two teams could meet in the playoffs – potentially in the first round as in 2018.

In a way, the seasons of the two teams have been shaped by Jimmy Butler. The Sixers struggled without his game and perimeter production after losing to Miami free agent during the offseason, while the Heat benefited from Butler's leadership and talent for the games. ;clutch. Butler's departure from Philadelphia was not without drama, as he questioned the motives of his Sixers teammates for playing the game, while hinting that something happened behind the scenes of the organization that contributed to his decision to walk away.

"Things just don't work," said Butler of his time with the Sixers. "No one knows what really happened in Philly and we are going to leave it that way. But it was a great opportunity for me … All of this will come out every time it is time. Right now this is not the time. I'm locked up with this. I'm happy, man. I'm smiling and my guys want me to be here, my organization wants that I am here, I want to be here and we will ride this thing until the wheels fall. "

In this context, a possible playoff series between Miami and Philly would be spicy. The Sixers would be extremely eager – and motivated – to show that they can not only win without Butler, but actually beat him. Josh Richardson, whom the Heat abandoned to add Butler, is reportedly looking to send a message to his former franchise. Bam Adebayo against Joel Embiid has the potential for an epic battle down. As for Butler, it would aim to prove that he is better in his new NBA home and that his decision to sign with the Heat was justified. Given the competitiveness of Butler and Embiid, it would have the potential to become agitated.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets

Last summer, the Rockets and Thunder engaged in the biggest trade of the off-season by exchanging star guards. Chris Paul was dispatched from Houston to Oklahoma City after two seasons with the Rockets, while Russell Westbrook found his former Thunder teammate James Harden in Houston after spending the first 11 seasons of his career in Oklahoma City.

This decision made major waves in the Western Conference, but it did not go particularly well with Paul, mainly because he felt that the Director General of Rockets, Daryl Morey, was not frank with him about the situation. Paul admitted to feeling "stabbed in the back" by the Rockets organization.

"Every situation is different," said Paul. "But the team is going to do whatever it wants. It will tell you one thing and do another thing smoothly … The general manager over there in Houston, he owes me nothing. You know what I mean "He can tell me one thing but do something else. But you just understand that this is what it is. "

Paul may not have been happy with this decision at the start, but he made the most of the situation, and as a result, the Thunder played a better ball than most expected this season. A motivated Paul with a chip on his shoulder looking to send a message to his old franchise that he feels unhappy would be a sight to behold. In addition, it seems safe to say that the notoriously competitive Westbrook would not want to lose to his former team either, even if their division was friendly.

2. Los Angeles Lakers versus Los Angeles Clippers

The two L.A. franchises made major moves during the offseason. The Lakers added Anthony Davis via trade while the Clippers landed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The result? The two Los Angeles franchises are legitimate title contenders at the same time for the first time since, well, never. There is already a natural rivalry in town between the two teams – as one-sided as it may have been historically – and the fact that they play in the same building would only add intrigue to a possible confrontation. L.A. would be absolutely electric for the entire series.

The Lakers and Clippers have never met in the playoffs before, but it could finally be the year. Plus, who wouldn't want to see another playoff battle between Kawhi and LeBron? It could be argued that these are the top two teams in the league, in terms of talent, and would therefore be a potential clash for the final if the conferences did not exist. Thanks to the buzz following the movements of the two parties this summer, combined with the novelty of two teams from the same city who compete for a chance to represent LA in the hunt for a championship, this is the series the most anticipated of all, apart from the final.

1. Milwaukee Bucks versus Los Angeles Lakers

It's hard to get past the excitement of the last round of the NBA playoffs, and when it comes to this year's finals, a potential showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers would be particularly intriguing. The Bucks and Lakers were the best in their respective conferences for all of 2019-2020, and that's what we want to see when it comes to the finals – the top two teams compete for the material. The Bucks have won games at an historic pace this year, and anything that doesn't fit into the final would be viewed as disappointment for the franchise. The same could also be said for the Lakers after they made the stack to acquire Anthony Davis to team up with LeBron during the offseson.

There would be no star power shortage in this streak, with each team having good faith MVP candidates: Giannis Antetokounmpo at Milwaukee and James at LA. It goes without saying that both players would be highly motivated to leave with victory. James would be looking to win his fourth NBA championship and a title with his third different franchise, which would only help his case as the best player in the game. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo would fight to win his first title after a few extinctions at the end of the season. Arguably watching the top two players of the match today on the biggest stage in the league would be an impressive sight to see and could have the potential to turn into one of the best confrontations in the final in recent memory . Imminent free agency decisions for Antetokounmpo (who will be a free agent in 2021) and Davis (2020) would also add an additional layer of intrigue, as the way their respective teams behave in the playoffs could have a direct impact on their decision-making process.