Warriors, Cavaliers favoured in NBA playoffs (AFP)

Regular season heroes will rise and fall, rivalries will be renewed and the dark horses will get their chance when the National Basketball Association playoffs begin this weekend. The Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs are the favourites, but there's always someone who does the unexpected and launches a team to prominence. Golden State finished with 67 wins and 15 losses in the regular season, completing one of the best seasons in league history and setting a club record for victories. The Warriors became just the 10th team to reach 67 wins in a season.