Two dark-horse teams heading into the 2023 NBA playoffs

With the 2023 NBA playoffs quickly approaching, there is a sense of the favorites within both conferences. The Denver Nuggets (52-28), Pheonix Suns (45-35) and Golden State Warriors (42-38) look like the Western Conference teams to beat. While in the East, it's the three beasts: Milwaukee Bucks (58-22), Boston Celtics (55-25) and Philadelphia 76ers (52-28). 

Here are two dark-horse teams with a chance to make some noise in the postseason:

Cleveland Cavaliers (51-30)

Per Oddschecker, Cleveland has the fourth-best odds to win the East, right around +1400.

The fourth-seeded Cavs look like a dangerous playoff foe, with one of the best starting fives in the NBA and a superstar in Donovan Mitchell to help push them over the top. This season, Mitchell is averaging a career-high 28.3 points and 4.4 assists. He's shooting a career-best 48.4% from the field and 38.6% from downtown. 

A backcourt of him and Darius Garland is a scary sight. They are a duo that can take advantage of whatever defense you through at them. 

As the saying goes, "Defense wins championships," and Cleveland has the number-one ranked defensive rating in the league (110.6). Two Eiffel Towers in Jarret Allen and Evan Mobley can completely alter an overwhelming rim attack. It's possibly the perfect setup when matching up against Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid. 

An offensive one-two punch in Mitchell and Garland combined with the defensive masterminds Allen and Mobley make the Cavs a strong contender to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference. 

Los Angeles Clippers (42-38)

Just two seasons ago, Paul George put the Clippers on his back, dragging LA to the Western Conference finals. They met their match in the Chris Paul-led Pheonix Suns, losing 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. 

If George can get healthy, Los Angeles can certainly make some noise. George and Kawahi Leonard are the West's best wings and defensive duo. They also have one of the deepest rosters across the board. 

Before the season started, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins said, "They've got the deepest roster in the NBA."

That was before the additions of Russell Westbrook, Mason Plumlee and Eric Gordon. They have even more pieces now than they did to begin the season. At the end of the day, for the Clippers, it's all about health. Leonard and Geroge haven't been healthy together in the playoffs since the Disney World bubble.

The Clippers also have one of the best coaches in the NBA, Ty Lue, a master at adjusting in the postseason. If Lue's duo gets and stays on the court, he could work up some magic. The big question is, will they get healthy in time?