2016 NBA Playoffs' Top 5 Teams So Far and the Dark Horse that May Surprise

Created by Glenn Minnis Apr 23 2016, 14:18 PM EDT

NBA suits may want to wait a bit before printing those Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Finals tickets most fans have been predicting all season. Latin Post introduces its list of Top 5 Teams in the 2016 NBA Playoffs so far.

For sure, the record-setting Warriors continue to look the part of being up to the challenge of earning the right to defend their crown. And now with Steph Curry insisting his sprain right ankle is again pain free, Golden State definitely figures to there when it matters the most.

As for the Cavs, in racing out to a commanding 3-0 lead over the overmatched Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, LeBron James and Co. have done little to quell talk of a rematch. We list our top five teams for the 2016 NBA Playoffs and the likely Dark Horse who may surprise in the tournament down below.

Heat Look Like Class of Eastern Conference

It's just that up until this point, the Miami Heat may have done more to rightfully earn their place atop the field in the growing debate of which team truly reigns as the best the East has to offer.

Dwyane Wade and the Heat have blitzed the Charlotte Hornets by an average of 22 points over the first two games of their first round series. Beyond that, the Heat marched into the postseason as one of the league's hottest teams by virtue of going 16-8 over their last 24 games.

Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra appears to have found just the right mix in the veteran core of Wade, Luol Deng, Joe Johnson, Goran Dragic and Amare Stoudemire and the rookie tandem of Justice Winslow and Josh Richardson.

Whiteside on the Move

In the middle, manning it all, has been the still emerging Hasan Whiteside, averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks against the Hornets.

Through all the dominance, the Heat have kept just the right mindset.

"We won two games at home," Wade told reporters of the Heat's dynamic start to the series. "Our job now is to go up there and try to get one but understand that we're going to see a totally different team. It's our jobs, the coaches, the veterans on this team, to prepare our team for seeing a different a ball club."