Each year I provide a preview of the NBA for BTB readers. This season I'm going to switch it up a bit and do just the two conferences rather than the divisions. In this one, I'm going to focus on the Eastern Conference. Within the article, I'll put a brief mention of each team and some thoughts. There will be leans and potential free plays for the NBA futures. If you want the futures, you'll need to buy the first 30 days of the NBA plays. Last season we cashed our MAX play and got 10u off of Tyrese Maxey winning Most Improved Player.
Boston Celtics - 64-18, 1st in East, NBA Champion
The best team in the league was able to hoist the trophy at the end of last season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown proved they could work together. Kristaps Porzingis was hurt but effective when he did play in the playoffs and Finals. Jrue Holiday provided tough defense and Derrick White was a great 3-and-D guard that is arguably the most underrated player in the league. Boston might start a bit slow with an aging team and not an overly inspiring bench, but they still should be favorites to repeat as champion. They should hit over 58.5 wins though if they have a healthy season.
New York Knicks, 50-32, 2nd, 2nd Round Exit
The Knicks arguably are the deepest team in the league. The question is if the team can win a championship with Jalen Brunson as their best player. No shot at Brunson, he's been outstanding, but he isn't the typical superstar. The team should get back Julius Randle, and they added Mikal Bridges. Defensively they should be the best, but this could be a team that searches for a consistent second scorer. The way Thibs pushes his team, take over 52.5 wins.
Milwaukee Bucks, 49-33, 3rd, 1st Round Exit
Dame. Giannis. Middleton. That's it. That's the team. They added Doc Rivers and looked lost. They lost Giannis right before the playoffs and that was it for the season. The team looks disjointed and lost out there. Dame and Giannis don't seem to mix well together. Khris Middleton is the third option and will need to be healthy for a full year if this team wants to reclaim their spot at the top of the league.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 48-34, 4th, 2nd Round Exit
I think you saw the best of the Cavs last season. They made the playoffs, they beat a team in the first round - though not overly convincingly, and then were bounced by a significantly better Celtics squad. They have a new head coach but don't expect a different result.
Orlando Magic, 47-35, 1st Round Exit
Quite the step forward from this Magic club last season. Paolo Banchero stepped forward and showed he is on the path to being a true leader and superstar. Defensively the team can lock in with solid guards between Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Franz Wagner is a great secondary option but would benefit from a bit of consistent play. The bench probably needs some additional attention, and they may have surprised people last year, but call me impressed with their results from last year.
Indiana Pacers, 47-35, Lost in Conference Finals
When it mattered most, the Pacers were able to turn it on. They came up just short in the Play-In Tournament, but they were able to get to the final game. They came up just short in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they legitimately could've won three of the four games. That was where the inexperience mattered. Tyrese Haliburton being injured didn't help, obviously. The team added Pascal Siakam in the middle of the season giving them a secondary option. I'm not convinced they will be able to play the defense needed consistently to replicate last year. I'd lean toward the over though.
Philadelphia 76ers, 47-35, 1st Round Exit
The team's success rests on the health of Joel Embiid. Paul George is now in the mix and he had a good season last year, but he also has injury concerns every season. I will say of all superstars, he can easily be added to any roster without really throwing it off. Their win total is 52.5, if they want to they can get to 60 wins, but it would require luck and health.
Miami Heat, 46-36, 1st Round Exit
Terry Rozier will be here for a full year now, but is he the answer? I like Rozier, but the team wins because of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Erik Spolestra. You can't count them out, but also don't expect them to crack the top half of the East either.
Chicago Bulls, 39-43, Lost in Play-In Tournament
DeMar DeRozan is gone. Zach LaVine is still there. Alex Caruso is gone. Josh Giddey now has the reigns to control the offense. They are going to have high scores, and no defense. I'm interested to see how Coby White performs considering he looked best as their scoring point guard last year. A drop of 12 games is a lot, but there isn't much encouraging about this team.
Atlanta Hawks, 36-46, Lost in Play-In Tournament
The Hawks didn't do much outside of adding Zaccharie Risacher to the roster. Trae Young is still their focal point. Their defense will still be brutal, and this team is still closer to a lottery club than a winning one. Under 36.5 wins as the East has gotten better, but they haven't.
Brooklyn Nets, 32-50, No playoffs
I suppose it might be fun to watch Cam Thomas score 50 in one game then 6 the next most of the season.
Toronto Raptors, 25-57, No playoffs
Although they probably won't be very good, I actually think they might be fun to watch. Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes are three young guys who could all work out and be a nice foundation for at least a competitive team. 30 wins gets the over and I'm inclined to bet the over, but not with confidence.
Charlotte Hornets, 21-61, No playoffs
Brandon Miller looks like he can be a good secondary option. LaMelo Ball is great when he is on the floor, but he has played a total of 58 games the last two seasons. If he is healthy, the Hornets could at least make people think they might, possibly, perhaps, could maybe, fight for a Play-In Tournament spot.
Washington Wizards, 15-67, No playoffs
Alex Sarr is really the only reason to pay attention to this team. The development of the #2 pick is the most important story of this season. He's young, tall, and talented, but it needs to come together for him, quickly. Expect them to pair him with yet another lottery pick at the end of this season.
Detroit Pistons, 14-68, No playoffs
While they finished with the fewest wins, it somehow feels like there is more optimism with the way they are rebuilding and their team than others on the list. Cade Cunningham looks legitimate, Jaden Ivey showed a few flashes of success, and Jalen Duren was a reliable big man. Tobias Harris is not a superstar, but he could be a good veteran for a young club.
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- David
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