The current odds posted by VegasInsider.com shows a wide gap among Eastern Conference teams.
The Bucks and Sixers are virtual co-favorites to reach the Finals next season, with Milwaukee posted at 5-4 odds and the Sixers at 3-2. The Celtics are a clear-cut third choice at 15-2.
Those are the only teams listed at single-digit odds. Even though Kevin Durant is expected to sit out next season, the Nets are co-fourth choices with the Pacers at 12-1. Indiana could be dangerous if Victor Oladipo can come back strong from a serious leg injury.
The Raptors are 25-1 and the Heat, with the addition of Jimmy Butler, are rated at 40-1. The Magic, who made the playoffs last season and re-signed their top free agents, and Bulls are posted at 80-1.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Pistons, who also reached the postseason and didn’t lose any key players, are listed at 120-1 along with the youthful Hawks. The remaining Eastern Conference teams — the Knicks, Cavaliers, Wizards and Hornets, are all posted at 400-1.
It would certainly be a surprise if any club other than Milwaukee, Philadelphia or Boston gets out of the Eastern Conference but all those teams are vulnerable to a certain degree.
That brings us to our question of the day: Which Eastern Conference team is the most underrated heading into next season?
Please take to the comments section below to voice your opinion. We look forward to your input.
Raptors get no respect and the Celtics get too much. I sincerely doubt that the Butler-led Heat will be much better than the Bulls or Orlando. Rest of it seems about right.
Celtics are very much up in the air, but if Hayward reverts to pre-injury form much in the way that Paul George did in his 2nd season returning from a gruesome leg injury, they’ll be in good shape. Kemba is a good fit, and if Tatum and/or Brown take a step forward they’re a lock for the 3rd seed. I think Boston is most likely to finish 3rd, but it’s far from certain.
The Celtics are about to embark on an experiment testing the value of centres in the modern NBA, without even the luxury of a PF who can slide up for small ball lineups. Horford to Kanter is an extreme change,
I would guess that it will not go well.
Theis can slide up. He’s better than people think.
I think the Raptors’ odds are fine. They lost Kawhi and didn’t really replace him. Sure they get OG back and hopefully Siakim and VanVleet take another step in their games, but they hardly look like a bonafide Finals contender. With so many key guys a season away from free agency, it also wouldn’t be too surprising to see Toronto be a seller if there is enough interest in guys like Gasol, Lowry, and Ibaka.
Orlando is way underrated. They aren’t a legit contender but they certainly deserve better odds than the Bulls. They really aren’t much worse than the Nets without Durant tbh.
The Raptors are clearly being underrated, just like always.
I’m not convinced that a single team in the East got better, and most got worse. Bucks lost Brogdon, Sixers have four PF/Cs on 100m+ contracts, the Celtics are starting Enes Kanter at C, and the Nets two big acquisitions are a guy who’s out for the year, and another who absolutely destroyed the chemistry on a similar team. The Raptors at least have the (small) possibility of a young player filling some of the gap Kawhi left, while still running a veteran, championship team out every night.
Also, don’t forget, this isn’t a question of who is most likely to win the ECF, but rather, whose odds are too low
Not to mention they were 17-5 when Leonard sat last year.
Raptors were 4-5 against teams over .500 without Kawhi. They’ll be lucky to sneak in the playoffs next season imo.
They’re still a top 5 team in the East but obviously unlikely to win the conference.
it isn’t a question of whose odds are too low. I am thinking maybe you haven’t paid attention to the question, or haven’t been paying attention to what in the NBA at all
Raptors are underrated. Yes they lost The claw but they still a very solid team. Lowry is good for 18-10, Gasol (former defensive play of the year) is good for 18-10. Siakim who was the most improved player is only going up and up. FVV will get more minutes, RHJ was a good buy he plays D and Lowry will set him up of cuts. Angunoby is a solid prospect, Ibaka is good but he’s probably getting traded. He’s only got 1 year left on his deal and he can play the 4/5 and hit 3s and get blocks. I think if you want a player maybe Ibaka and Powell for Wiggins, give him a homecoming and a second chance while giving the Wolves a starter at the 4 and depth at 3. Wiggins would actually give the team a more natural go to scorer but hides him with good defenders in Siakim and Gasol. If they want a pick maybe swapping Ibaka for Bazemore and a pick. Trail Blazers get a stretch 4/5 that can play D. It also give more minutes to Hood and Little and Hezonja and gives less minutes to Collins (coming off small injury) and Whiteside (retuning to a teams rotation again). Bazemore would also be able to start at the 2 which has a small hole.
I reckon the most underrated is the Hawks tho. This year is the year for them. Trae Young has had a beast of an off-season and will be good for 23-8, John Collins deserves more respect. That man can post up about 18-8 and do all on the court be in 3’s, be it blocks, be it run the fast break or anything really. The just drafted Hunter and Reddish. Hunter looks a solid player but not spectacular, I can see him being like Robert Covington. This team has 3 big expiring contracts in Crabbe, Turner and Parsons to use as trade chips. I think they should offer Parsons plus Reddish for DeRozen. DeRozen would be the star player in Trae Young’s team that the young players can always turn too. Plus in this team surrounded by good shooters that can hit from deep giving him more open lanes to drive, which is what he’s best at. Think the Spurs are just about to push the youth movement, and with Murray, White, Walker, Poelt and now Reddish they would be solid. Even without him tho they are still a force and could suprise a few teams by possibly making the playoffs.
The Pistons (120-1) and Raptors (25-1) could well switch places.
I like the Pacers. TJ Warren replaces Bogdanovic and for some reason i really like Brogdon. Lamb is a solid pickup too. If only they had a point guard
Brogdan can play the point. He payed a lot there his rookie year when he won ROY
Brogdon went there to do just that. But they’re not settled at forward. Warren, Sabonis, Leaf, Mcdermott. Maybe they put 6-5, 185 Jeremy Lamb there, and go 3 guards with Sabonis & Turner.
I think the Raptors are a bit underrated, but the Pacers are more so. The addition of Brogdon makes the team competitive now, and once Vic comes back, gives them a really complimentary backcourt.
Think the C’s are a bit overrated now, but it also would not shock me to see them meet the expectations either.
This team is going to need to pay attention to opportunities and opportunity plays. Thinkin’ about the Heat ’cause they’re not in the West where it’s a very different Q. Who’s gonna overcome the bad parts of the season and find their sweet prominence? It could be Hawks with Tre or Knicks with the promising Randall. But no surprises if Pistons come out near the top, too
Obviously opportunities are real big to Raptors, too. They got paid on making huge opportunities on the ball floor by winning the East Conference Championship and the league title. Still have one of the best (if not the best) coaches in the league and two all-star players who given their positions could really push it forward. Besides, Paskal Siakam gained idol status by proving that hard work wins rings.
Raptors get no respect, as usual, even as defending NBA champions. They are still a top 3 team in the East.
Philly is underrated, I know sounds odd… but in my opinion Milwaukee has lost with Brogdon & not replaced him with as good or better, so I think they gone back. Toronto is gone totally. Boston is lost a lot Kemba ain’t Kyrie, Kanter ain’t big Al. So the only team to improve in the top 4 of the east last year is Philly, lost JJ & Butler, but got J-Rich & big Al, so I think Philly is gonna runaway with it & be EC team in the Finals vs the Lakers, with the continued improvement of Simmons/Embiid.
Really nice thinking never really thought about comparing the 6ers with the raptors and bucks and Celtics like that. Think a big thing will be the development of rookies and prospects and their role off the bench
Heat are way under rated at #7.
Dragic, Butler, Winslow, Bam are a solid core.
No they can’t reach the Finals but the Eastern Finals are not out of reach at all.
Plus Pat Riley is going to add a 2nd Star asap to complete.
See ether Beal/Wall or Hayward.
I think when you compare the Heat to other eastern conference teams that are going to be in the playoff conversation the main difference is having a good PG and a dominate Centre. I know Bam can block shots and do work but he has never been expected to play big big minutes in a winning team. The other thing was point guard, Dragic is nice but Boston has Kemba, 6ers have Simmons, Raptors have Lowry, Pacers have Brogdan, Nets have Kyrie and these players are just a step or two above Dragic. In today’s modern age you really need to have 2 stars to compete at a high level and it’ll show if the heat don’t get someone in. Butler can be expected to guard everyone and still be expected to lead the team on offence by himself. Think that’s why Chris Paul would make even more sense. CP is a vet with playoff experience and can guard other good point guards and help take the pressure of Butler on offence. I think Tyler Herro will have a really good year, and hopefully James Johnson makes a decent return too. Think they could pick up a bargain back up PG in Ntilikina or Dunn that is good on D and still a young talent also.