Entering the 2019/20 NBA season, oddsmakers considered the Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Heat, Nets, and Magic to be the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference, in that order. Approximately 25 games into the season, it looks like they were almost exactly right — the East’s early playoff standings are nearly identical to that preseason projection, with Miami jumping up to No. 2.
Milwaukee, Miami, Boston, Toronto, and Indiana have all looked even better than we expected so far. Philadelphia has had a couple bumps along the way, but has stabilized as of late and appears to be a legit contender. It looks like a safe bet that those six teams will end up in the postseason.
Brooklyn’s spot in the top eight of the East isn’t quite so secure, but the club has had an impressive run with Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert on the shelf over the last month. The Nets’ 13-11 record gives them a comfortable hold on the No. 7 seed for the time being, with more reinforcements eventually on the way.
That leaves the 11-13 Magic as the only top-eight team with a tenuous hold on a playoff spot for the time being. However, Orlando has underperformed through the first quarter of the season and should be getting All-Star center Nikola Vucevic back in its lineup soon. The Magic look better positioned to claim that No. 8 spot than challengers like the Hornets (11-16), Pistons (10-15), and Bulls (9-17).
Still, with more than 50 games still to play, there’s more than enough time for one of those seemingly lottery-bound clubs to make a run and shake things up at the bottom of the Eastern playoff race. The Pistons may be the best candidate, but even current bottom-feeders like the Wizards (7-16) and Hawks (6-19) aren’t totally out of it yet — they could gain ground quickly if they’re able to string together some wins.
What do you think? Are you just about ready to pencil in the current top eight teams in the East as the eventual playoff teams? Or do you think one of the clubs currently in the lottery can make a run in the second half? If so, which of those clubs do you like?
Vote in our poll, then jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!
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I’ll take the field over orlando
Pistons will be very close to challenging.
I think with Drummonds Free agency looming and the club having to pay him about 30 mil for a heap of years that he might get traded which would be a big shake up for them. Alternatively I think he started the year really really strong without Griffin and Jackson and maybe they look at trading one of those two if not both and build around Drummond.
They have hung around that 8th spot for ages and with two stars in Griffin and Drummond plus a really good coach in Casey I think they need to make a move to get themselves in the finals.
I think
Drummond and a protected first for Hayward
Drummond for DeRozan straight swap
Drummond and a first for Favours and Ingram
Drummond and Galloway for Barnes and Dedmon
Are all decent ideas
Personally I think Barnes and Dedmon would be good. Kings might feel happy with a core of Fox Heild Bogdan Bagley and Drummond and buy doing this deal you’d clear them of guys on long deals not a part of the long terms plans. Pistons would get back tho a centre than can play better defence and hit some threes, plus a SF that is a solid defender and a pretty decent scorer. Would mean Pistons don’t have to worry about him at FA, would have a decent 5 of Jackson Kennard Barnes Griffin and Dedmon, with good role players.
Think they should also look at trading Reggie Jackson possibly for Jeff Teague or Goran Dragic. Would give up a second or possibly two to get the deal done. Teague would be a good fit. Can defend well, play-make, shoot it and was a one time all star.
To Miami. Also Orlando needs a SG.
Miami dont need Drummond they have Bam
I don’t think you could get Ingram for Drummond straight up, much less adding Favors in. Ingram is better than Drummond right now and the sky is the limit.
Only 7 of them are among the top 20 teams in the entire NBA: Milwaukee, Boston, Philly, Miami, Toronto, Indiana, and Brooklyn. The rest of the teams in the east are worse than every single team in the West, except for GS and Memphis.
Your first point about 7/20 is as expected really. The west has always been better and 7/20 show the west has 13-7 advantage (so the west is better by 3 teams) not that unexpected. But the NBA is always about 16 teams, 2 conferences of 8.
I fairness out of all the playoff teams the top 2 teams in terms of records it’s one a piece, the worst record for a playoff team right now is 11-13 which the east have two teams on that record in the playoffs to the easts 1. Then lastly in terms of worst record in the league it goes to GSW who play in the west.
So really your thing trying to make the east look weak is kinda off. The east isn’t as competitive as the west but it’s pretty close this year as to which conference is better. Out of all 8 playoff teams in the east right now none have a losing record to teams in the west.
First seven are guaranteed, then Orlando should be there, unless Charlotte or Detroit do some massive improvement. All the other teams in the east are out already.
I almost voted yes, but with a 37-39 win team likely to be the 8 seed, it would not be surprising to see a Pistons or Hornets make a deal at the deadline that pushes them above the Magic.
Other seven are secure barring major injuries.
Unrelated, but Luke if your reading this could you pelase let me know if the Heat will save the money from Waiters suspension from the tax?
Yes, because Detroit has problems with Griffin’s health and players thinking they will be moving on later.
Rmember Indy was in third maybe second last year until Dipo’s injury… so this year does not look so good in comparison, still without Dipo. When he comes back, there will be an adjustment to make, and the Pacers will still have issues.
The Nets have not been winning with Irving but they have a jump on it and their bar is not high.