As the NBA heads into the last third or so of the season, there are more storylines and rumors than anybody could ever keep track of and I couldn’t be more excited. The trade-deadline (Thursday, 3pm ET) looms large for many teams as they try to find the missing piece that could propel them to greater heights. Regression is waiting to nip a couple of overachievers in the backside (I’m looking at you Indiana). The Sixth Man of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Defensive Player of the Year awards are up for grabs at this point. For now, we’ll focus on five plot lines to look forward to as well as a few predictions for how the season will play out.

2. Which Teams will Fall Back to Earth and Who will Rise to the Occasion?

A number of teams performed above expectations while others played well below the “expert” (myself included) opinions of analysts (*cough Lakers cough*).

So which teams will recover and who might fall a couple spots in their respective conference? Although the Lakers are clearly not in the upper echelon of the Western Conference, I would find it hard to believe that they’ll continue on this path of mediocrity for the rest of the season. Kobe Bryant and company are simply too good to not figure out their offense and make their transition defense at least respectable. In the Eastern Conferen6ce, the Pacers and Knicks could both possibly see regression to some extent.

Even with Danny Granger missing most of the season and Roy Hibbert having a down year on the offensive end, Paul George and David West have lead this team to the top tier of the Eastern Conference. It will take some time for him to adjust to Indiana’s above average defense and they will probably drop some games because of it. The Knicks, because of their age, will inevitably not have their full lineup for every game. It might actually pay off to rest certain guys on nights when they’re shorthanded anyway and concede those games (much like Coach Popovich did earlier this year against the Heat).

3. What Does the Future Hold For The Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies?

Both teams have improved in the areas they were expected to improve in since their mini blockbuster of a trade. Between Marc Gasol facilitating more and a couple of mediocre defensive opponents, the Grizzlies’ offense has shown more life and some added creativity. Their schedule the next couple weeks should give them a chance to lock down the four-seed in the west and they certainly have the toughness to match up against any of the three big teams in the West in a seven game series. San Antonio remembers getting upset by them two years ago and the Clippers remember being taken to a seventh game last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if they give somebody a scare again this time around.

Toronto has looked better in every way, getting an added scoring boost from Rudy Gay and going 5-2 in their last seven games before the All-Star Break. They’re also looking to move Andrea Bargnani, their overpaid former number one draft pick by the trade deadline so they should be looking at even more new pieces by next week. The Raptors don’t have any playoff hopes for this year but if they can stay healthy and set up a young talented core for next year, they could turn some heads.

4. Derrick Rose

Obviously the biggest question mark in the Eastern Conference, Derrick Rose’s health will have wide-ranging implications for multiple teams. Right now, the Bulls offense is averaging only 93.1 points per game, 27th in the NBA. Yet they’re only giving up 91.5 points per game, good for third in the league. Their defense has carried them while their offense has merely been dragged along for the ride. They have beaten the Knicks three times but have lost a number of games against mediocre teams. If Rose comes back, the Bulls will gain a primary scoring option and improve their offense as a whole.

Their defense will take a hit as Rose fully integrates himself into their complicated schemes but will still be elite come playoff time. If the Health Gods (they’re real, I swear) bless them, they could become the most feared team in the East. If Rose doesn’t make it back this season, the rest of the East has much less to fear. They welcome low-scoring, physical games and their 3-headed monster in the post of Taj Gibson, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah will beat you up, but with hot shooting and an ability to get their defenders in foul trouble, this Bulls team is very beatable.

5. Playoff Basketball

I can’t wait. Honestly though, let’s just get the regular season done with and start the playoffs. Will anybody dethrone the Heat? Who will come out of the West? Which first round home team will lose in the first round? Every round will feature a couple of great matchups and champions will eventually be crowned.

Some predictions for the playoffs (because I’m an expert, clearly): There will be at least two series that go the full seven games in both of the first two rounds. Boston will go to seven in both before bowing out. The Nets won’t make it out of the first round. The Lakers will be the team nobody wants to play come playoff time. And the last one: Heat in five over the Thunder, Lebron will average a triple-double in the finals, Durant will average 35 points per game in the finals and the much maligned Chris Bosh will put up a 30 point game in the clincher.