NBA 2013 Playoffs - First Round Matchups & Schedule: Will the Top Two Teams from the East and West make it to the NBA Finals?

The wait is finally over. After six months, 1,230 games and millions of screaming fans, the regular season has officially come to an end. This only means one thing: Playoffs time!

Yup, you heard that right! It's time to tighten up the hinges, bring on the fiercest game faces and prepare for battle as the real journey towards the Championship begins.

It has been a long, controversial and grueling year for the NBA. But make no mistake about it; this year was exciting as basketball could possibly be. And as the Playoffs finally begin, the players are sure to put all their heart and soul on the court to bring the Larry O' Brien Championship Trophy. Imagine current MVP candidate Lebron James, current highest scorer Carmelo Anthony or forward superstar Kevin Durant on the court, vying for that lone trophy. That's definitely going to be a basketball treat.

This year, the Playoffs will consist of the best teams, with very competent players to play. We take a look at the top two of the East and the two teams of the West and see if the odds are in their favor.

Eastern Conference

Miami Heat

The Heat are at it again. After winning the Championship last year, LeBron James and the rest of the team are looking for their third consecutive Finals appearance. With a powerhouse roster led by leading MVP candidate LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, analysts are almost certain the team will be back for the last round of games.

By the end of the regular season, the team owns the best record in the league with 66 Wins and only 16 Losses-six games ahead of Western number one seed, Oklahoma Thunder. The team also scored the franchise's longest winning streak--and the second in NBA history--with 27 consecutive wins.

With last year's Championship roster almost intact, and with powerful additions like Chris Andersen, Coach Spoelstra and the team has the potential to go back to back this year.

Miami will face eighth seeded Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs.

New York Knicks

The Knicks had a bumpy season this year. Although finishing second in the West, the team went on

 both winning and losing streaks. With a record of 54-28, the team readily bagged a seat in the Playoffs. As to whether the team could make it to the Finals is still yet to be seen.

The Knicks campaign will be led by highest scoring player in the league this season, Carmelo Anthony. With an average of 28.7 points per game, Carmelo is looking to take home his first ever Championship ring this year. Backing him up on the journey are big man Tyson Chandler with 10.7 rebounds per game, Raymond Felton with 5.5 assists per game and veteran Jason Kidd with 1.6 steals per game. Tyson, however, will be nursing a bulging disk injury as he returns for play on April 20-their first Playoff game against the seventh seeded Boston Celtics.

Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC secures its place on the Playoffs ranks with a 60-22 record-the best in the West. The team will be aiming to make his second finals appearance this year with Kevin Durant leading the pack. Durant, who scores 28.1 points per game-second highest in the league-is aiming to bring the Championship home this season with his scoring arsenal and a 7.9 rebounds per game average. To help the team in its surge to the Finals are Russell Westbrook and league leading blocker, Serge Ibaka.

OKC will be facing Houston Rockets in the first round of Playoffs, with their first two games to be played in Oklahoma. If this is any indication for the team, it is a good one. The Thunder have a good Home record during the season-winning 34 of its 41 games at the Chesapeake Arena. This could give the team a 2-0 advantage against the Rockets. With a good record in the final stretch of the season, OKC seems to have what it takes to make it to the Finals.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs recently surprised everybody when it signed NBA veteran and former Houston Rockets standout, Tracy McGrady, for the rest of the season. Playing for the Chinese Basketball League this season, instead of the NBA, T-Mac is expected to contribute off the bench.

As to how things will pan out for the team is still unsure. The team hasn't been consistent this season-a few winning and losing streaks on the way have made the team an unsure contender for the title. Notably, the team came from a three-game losing streak before the season ended. Notably, the team will be facing the LA Lakers in the first round of Playoffs-a team who won over the Spurs 2 out of 3 times this season. And although LAL will be without leader Kobe Bryant, it most certain that Dwight Howard and the rest of the team will be stepping up come game time. Needless to say, the Spurs could have a lot in their hands this NBA Playoffs.

Full First Round 2013 Playoffs Matchups & Schedule (NBA.com) - Click Here