The east was the last conference to seal both playoff and play-in spots. Eight spots were determined the final game of the regular season. Atlanta and Toronto are young teams that exceeded expectations and will use this postseason to learn how to improve for future playoff appearances. Cleveland and Detroit hope to take the next step forward and make a deep playoff run. Boston and New York are considered the top teams in the east and favorites to make the conference finals. Expectations aside, four talented and competitive teams must advance to the second round. Time to break down which four have the best chance.
#5 Toronto Raptors v. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Toronto should get a round of applause for how well they did this season. I don’t think anyone had them as a top six team in the eastern conference. Their reward is the 52 win Cavaliers who had a league high 41 different starting lineups.
Cleveland is the better team in every facet. From touting the better offense and defense to having more experience and long-time veteran stars, it would be shocking if the Cavaliers were bounced out of the first round.
Prediction: Cavaliers win series 4-1
#8 Orlando Magic v. #1 Detroit Pistons
Orlando’s inconsistency makes one wonder how much Detroit will be pushed in this series. Star point-guard Cade Cunningham won’t have a minutes restriction since he returned from a collapsed lung, but the rest of the Pistons roster plays well even if he needs rest. The Magic aren’t a good rebounding team and still face serious questions on what their identity is outside of star players Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane. Detroit is better coached and more disciplined.
Prediction: Pistons win series 4-1
#7 Philadelphia 76ers v. #2 Boston Celtics
One of the most underrated first round series. Philadelphia doesn’t have the depth Boston does, but they play hard and split the regular season series. While center Joel Embiid’s health depends on how far this series goes, the 76ers have a solid starting core around point-guard Tyrese Maxey. Forwards Paul George and Emoni Bates, center Andre Drummond and guards Cameron Payne and VJ Edgecombe will make this a longer series than most anticipate.
Regardless of Philadelphia’s talent, Boston’s the superior team and star forward Jayson Tatum is back at full health. The Celtics championship mentality means they will go all-out in almost every round compared to the hot-and-cold 76ers.
Prediction: Celtics win series 4-2
#6 Atlanta Hawks v. #3 New York Knicks
This is the best first round series in either conference. Atlanta was red-hot the last two months of the season after trading star point guard Trae Young to Washington D.C. Since his hiring, coach Quin Snyder finally has the Hawks all in-sync with each other and playing their best basketball. Forwards Jalen Johnson and Jonathan Kuminga have elevated Atlanta’s ceiling and their style of play. Guards C.J. McCollum and Dyson Daniels can do almost everything on both sides of the court.
New York is out of their lull and are the favorite to make conference finals. Had the Knicks drawn Toronto in round one, they would easily make round two given the number of stars and veterans on the team. However, the Hawks have played them well the last four years and get under New York’s collective skin.
One thing the Knicks did well was bulk up the roster with more scoring depth. The trade for point-guard Jose Alvarado gives New York more scoring opportunities when Jalen Brunson needs rest. Jordan Clarkson, Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet are quality depth players that give the Knicks the edge to win what should be a long series.
Prediction: Knicks win series 4-3
Regular season eastern conference playoffs and play-in predictions record: 6-4
JD's Sportscorner 
Great work mate 👏👏👏. I know that the playoffs already started but your East predictions looking fire TBH. I’m just going to read your West predictions now bruvva. Your RAPTORS breakdown is bang on and a great one. And you got my SIXERS winning 2 games which is exactly what I been thinking too. What you think about the uptick in quality, efficiency, and hard play that has blessed the MAGIC this series against the tight Defense of DETROIT who still look like they need a Norm POWELL type scorer to be able to dominate on both ends of the court and not just the defensive end ? Who u think they should try and trade for this off-season? I like the idea of Saddiq BEY, Trey MURPHY, Kawhi LEONARD, MPJ type who’s a big wing that can/will score and also do the dirty work on Def too.
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Thank you Jay! Surprised with how Toronto’s evened up the series. Much respect to them. As for the Magic, i’m stunned they’re playing this well. I think if no one watched this season and knew the seedings, people would say Orlando was the better team, but wow it’s almost night and day with how they’ve clamped down on the Pistons. I’m wondering and interested in how a lot of teams do this off-season in free agency. Could solidify championship contenders and make some teams commit to a full re-build.
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What do my SIXERS do this off-season? Make the most of how well EMBIID has played this season when available and trade him? We are stuck with the PG contract until the end but he’s played well tbh so fingers crossed he’ll be healthy next season. But I’m a bit lost as to how we can possibly trade for 2/3 top end bench players that we need especially at center
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I see Philly going after better bigs in the offseason. They got a coveted guard tandem and forwards aint bad, but they will need depth and healthier bigs.
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Hiya mate , yeah those Raptors are fighting hard and if they can get a point guard ( maybe Ja for cheap ) that can score then that roster is gonna be hot next season. This off-season should be crazy good for trades. Where’s LeBron gonna finish his career? I’m betting Cleveland at the mid tax exemption if the they can trade a higher salary player ( uh uh MOBLEY! and get out of the tax. And GIANNIS too, will a new hc convince him to stay? I’m not sure he will, but who’s going to trade for him and what’s the cost? I’m going to do some mock trade ideas later today and if br interested in your thoughts mate
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Yeah, please do whenever you can! I can see Ja being an option in Chicago and Houston as well since both teams need PG help. as for LeBron, given what he said about Cleveland and how he sees it next to Milwaukee and Memphis, i don’t think he’ll go back any time soon.
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