Story Lines to Follow in the NBA Playoffs

Questions will be answered during post season's first round.

Can the Miami Heat Three-Peat? - Can the Miami Heat's Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh lead their defending champion squad on another NBA title run and pull off a three-peat? Is this the final time that they will play together? These are only a couple of the most intriguing questions entering the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday. BET.com takes a look at the most compelling story lines to follow entering the first-round of the NBA playoffs. The Heat is on!(Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Can the Miami Heat Three-Peat? - Can the Miami Heat's Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh lead their defending champion squad on another NBA title run and pull off a three-peat? Is this the final time that they will play together? These are only a couple of the most intriguing questions entering the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday. BET.com takes a look at the most compelling story lines to follow entering the first-round of the NBA playoffs. The Heat is on!(Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Time Is Now for the Indiana Pacers - The Indiana Pacers achieved their preseason goal by locking up the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Now it's time for Paul George and the Pacers to take a step forward — to the NBA Finals. The Pacers start their quest against eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, who destroyed Indiana 107-88 on April 6. The Pacers lost nine of their last 15 games, but did score a huge win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 13. Which Pacers will show up in this first round? (Photo:  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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The Time Is Now for the Indiana Pacers - The Indiana Pacers achieved their preseason goal by locking up the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Now it's time for Paul George and the Pacers to take a step forward — to the NBA Finals. The Pacers start their quest against eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, who destroyed Indiana 107-88 on April 6. The Pacers lost nine of their last 15 games, but did score a huge win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 13. Which Pacers will show up in this first round? (Photo:  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Is It Really a Foregone Conclusion That Brooklyn Will Beat Toronto? - Built to win now, the Brooklyn Nets overcame a dismal start of the 2013-14 regular season by winning 20 of their last 31 games. With the Nets clicking at the right time, it seems like it's a foregone conclusion that they'll get past the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. But will they? The Raptors captured the third seed, albeit largely through a weak Atlantic division, and have silenced haters along the way. (Photo: NBA)

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Is It Really a Foregone Conclusion That Brooklyn Will Beat Toronto? - Built to win now, the Brooklyn Nets overcame a dismal start of the 2013-14 regular season by winning 20 of their last 31 games. With the Nets clicking at the right time, it seems like it's a foregone conclusion that they'll get past the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. But will they? The Raptors captured the third seed, albeit largely through a weak Atlantic division, and have silenced haters along the way. (Photo: NBA)

All Eyes on John Wall - John Wall's fourth year as a pro has been his best with the 6-foot 4-inch point guard having averaged 19 points and nearly nine assists per game this season. Now comes the ultimate test in leading his fifth-seeded Washington Wizards past the rugged Chicago Bulls, arguably the most physical team in the NBA and one of the best coached. Washington won the regular-season series with Chicago, 2-1, but will truly need off-the-Wall play from its leader to stop the running of these Bulls. (Photo:  Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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All Eyes on John Wall - John Wall's fourth year as a pro has been his best with the 6-foot 4-inch point guard having averaged 19 points and nearly nine assists per game this season. Now comes the ultimate test in leading his fifth-seeded Washington Wizards past the rugged Chicago Bulls, arguably the most physical team in the NBA and one of the best coached. Washington won the regular-season series with Chicago, 2-1, but will truly need off-the-Wall play from its leader to stop the running of these Bulls. (Photo:  Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

How Far Can the Bulls Run? - As physical of a team in the NBA playoffs, the Chicago Bulls are counted on to be a tough out for any squad they face, beginning with the Washington Wizards. Well, if Joakim Noah and the Bulls are able to emerge victorious out of the first round, they'll definitely be able to test an Indiana Pacers team of which they split the regular-season series with. High-profile free agents will also be watching Chicago, a team expected to be a major player in the market over the next couple of off seasons.   (Photo:  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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How Far Can the Bulls Run? - As physical of a team in the NBA playoffs, the Chicago Bulls are counted on to be a tough out for any squad they face, beginning with the Washington Wizards. Well, if Joakim Noah and the Bulls are able to emerge victorious out of the first round, they'll definitely be able to test an Indiana Pacers team of which they split the regular-season series with. High-profile free agents will also be watching Chicago, a team expected to be a major player in the market over the next couple of off seasons.   (Photo:  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Can Tim Duncan and Tony Parker Lead the Spurs Back to the Finals? - Ever since losing a heartbreaking seven-game NBA Finals to the Miami Heat last season, the San Antonio Spurs have been determined to get back to the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker did their part in leading the Spurs (62-20) to the league's best record and top overall seed. Their march back to the Finals begins with a first-round match up with No. 8 Dallas Mavericks. Can the Spurs get through an ultra-competitive West and back to the promised land?(Photo:  Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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Can Tim Duncan and Tony Parker Lead the Spurs Back to the Finals? - Ever since losing a heartbreaking seven-game NBA Finals to the Miami Heat last season, the San Antonio Spurs have been determined to get back to the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker did their part in leading the Spurs (62-20) to the league's best record and top overall seed. Their march back to the Finals begins with a first-round match up with No. 8 Dallas Mavericks. Can the Spurs get through an ultra-competitive West and back to the promised land?(Photo:  Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Spurs Strategy for Durant, Westbrook - Just like the Thunder need a strategy for Tony Parker, the Spurs are going to need one for defending Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Sticking Parker on Westbrook is a given, but it would be nice to see Spurs coach Gregg Popovich employ bigger 6-foot-7 Kawhi Leonard on him at times as well. And with league MVP Durant? Crowd his space as much as possible…and pray. Whatever Pop comes up with, he’s likely going to have to pop an Advil anyway.  (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Can Kevin Durant Replicate MVP-Worthy Season in Playoffs? - After capturing yet another NBA scoring title behind his 32 points per game this season, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant will be expected to turn in an equally MVP-deserving post season campaign. Can KD do it and get the Thunder back to the Finals for the first time since 2012? He can begin by getting revenge on the Memphis Grizzlies, the team that eliminated an undermanned-Thunder playing without star Russell Westbrook. Well, a year later, and Westbrook is back. How far can Durant and Westbrook lead the Thunder? And how memorable will Durant's tear through the playoffs be?(Photo:  Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Blake Griffin's Toughness - Blake Griffin has earned a reputation for being a dominant scorer, averaging nearly 24 points per game, and arguably the game's best dunker. He has also gained a reputation for being a bit of a playoff pushover, being manhandled by the likes of Zach Randolph and Tim Duncan in recent years. With new Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, can Griffin show enough toughness to will the team past (6) Golden State Warriors and beyond? (Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

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Blake Griffin's Toughness - Blake Griffin has earned a reputation for being a dominant scorer, averaging nearly 24 points per game, and arguably the game's best dunker. He has also gained a reputation for being a bit of a playoff pushover, being manhandled by the likes of Zach Randolph and Tim Duncan in recent years. With new Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, can Griffin show enough toughness to will the team past (6) Golden State Warriors and beyond? (Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Warriors Against The World - There aren't many teams who buy into what their coach is preaching better than the Golden State Warriors. Coach Mark Jackson had a rough time down the stretch of this season, being criticized by the media for firing two of his assistant coaches two weeks apart. But that's off the court. On the court, the Warriors—without injured center Andrew Bogut—will have to shoot their way out of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson need buckets...and plenty of 'em.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Warriors Against The World - There aren't many teams who buy into what their coach is preaching better than the Golden State Warriors. Coach Mark Jackson had a rough time down the stretch of this season, being criticized by the media for firing two of his assistant coaches two weeks apart. But that's off the court. On the court, the Warriors—without injured center Andrew Bogut—will have to shoot their way out of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson need buckets...and plenty of 'em.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Proving Ground for Dwight Howard - It's easy to catch Dwight Howard smiling. We hope the Houston Rockets center has a scowl on his face accompanied by a chip on his shoulder during this upcoming post season. After being ridiculed for leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Rockets, now's the time for Howard to step up and lead H-Town past the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in first-round action. But the way we see it, the only way for Howard to truly redeem himself is to have a dominating performance against Tim Duncan if the No. 4 Rockets meet the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Proving Ground for Dwight Howard - It's easy to catch Dwight Howard smiling. We hope the Houston Rockets center has a scowl on his face accompanied by a chip on his shoulder during this upcoming post season. After being ridiculed for leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Rockets, now's the time for Howard to step up and lead H-Town past the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in first-round action. But the way we see it, the only way for Howard to truly redeem himself is to have a dominating performance against Tim Duncan if the No. 4 Rockets meet the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)