The 2023-24 NBA regular season ended on a high note for the eastern conference. New York clinched the second seed in their final game before the play-in tournament. Indiana and Orlando are young teams that exceeded expectations and will use this postseason to learn how to improve for future playoff appearances. Most believe the east is Boston’s to lose. Milwaukee’s inconsistency even before hiring new coach Doc Rivers solidifies this belief. Regardless, four talented and competitive teams will advance to the second round. Time to break down which four have the best chance.
#8 Miami Heat v. #1 Boston Celtics
This couldn’t be a more lopsided series. Miami’s without star forward Jimmy Butler against the league’s best team. Boston’s starting five and their dangerous scoring depth makes this a one-sided matchup. No matter how well the Heat play, the Celtics will quickly advance to round two.
Prediction: Celtics win series 4-0
#6 Indiana Pacers v. #3 Milwaukee Bucks
It’s not as easy a prediction Indiana will sweep their first round opponent like Boston will, but many expect it. Milwaukee didn’t win 50 games during the regular season after they hired Doc Rivers (they had 30 when Adrian Griffin was let go). The Bucks have regressed on defense since Jrue Holiday was traded to Portland for star point-guard Damian Lillard. Lillard’s also struggled shooting from three-point range most of the season.
Indiana decisively swept their central division rivals, and this was before they traded for forward Pascal Siakam mid-January. The Pacers averaged 123 points per game and were over 50% in field goal percentage in the regular season. Indiana never faced a dip in offensive production. That’s bad news for the Bucks.
Prediction: Pacers win series 4-0
#7 Philadelphia 76ers v. #2 New York Knicks
This series would look different if 76ers franchise star center Joel Embiid was at full health and consistently playing 40 minutes a night. Since Embiid’s easing back into his major roles, New York will take advantage of this weakness and attack both the former MVP and Philadelphia’s complimentary players. Forward OG Anunoby and the guard duo of Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo will be too much for coach Nick Nurse’s adjustments.
Prediction: Knicks win series 4-1
#5 Orlando Magic v. #4 Cleveland Cavaliers
The hardest series to decide a round one winner in either conference. Both Orlando and Cleveland are young and inexperienced, but play hard and are fun to watch. They have similar stats and both excel playing inside the three-point line. This will probably be a physical, seven game series.
If any side can claim an advantage, it would be the Cavaliers with guard Donovan Mitchell leading the offense. The Magic can counter with guard duo Gary Harris or Jalen Suggs, but it won’t be enough to contain Mitchell. Cleveland can counter Orlando’s star trio of Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner with their trio of Evan Mobley, Max Strus and Jarrett Allen. This puts more pressure on Harris and Suggs to score more than Mitchell, but that will be hard to do each game.
Prediction: Cavaliers win series 4-3
Regular season eastern conference playoffs and play-in prediction record: 6-2
JD's Sportscorner 