A year ago, four Eastern Conference teams had serious title aspirations and plenty at stake if they didn’t make deep playoff runs. The Raptors, Bucks, Sixers, and Celtics had set their sights so high that anything short of an Eastern Conference Finals berth would be considered a disappointment. And sure enough, after Philadelphia and Boston were knocked out in the Eastern Semifinals, they made major offseason changes, with Jimmy Butler, J.J. Redick, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford all departing in free agency.
This season, the situation is a little different. Most Eastern Conference contenders have their core players locked up for the foreseeable future, so if they fall short of expectations in the postseason, that doesn’t necessarily mean roster shake-ups are coming. Still, the logjam near the top of the East’s standings will be fascinating to watch because there are now six strong contenders in the conference, with the Heat and Pacers joining the aforementioned four.
After struggling down the stretch last season when Victor Oladipo went down, Indiana has learned to win without him this season, posting a 22-13 record. It’s reasonable to assume the Pacers will be an even more dangerous team once Oladipo is back, which is expected to happen within the next month or so. As for Miami, the addition of Butler and young players like Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and Kendrick Nunn has led to an impressive bounce-back season so far for the 25-9 Heat.
The Celtics (23-8), Raptors (23-12), and Sixers (23-13) are bunched together with those two teams, and they’re all looking up at the top-seeded Bucks (31-5).
Based on how well these six teams have played so far, it’s safe to assume they’ll all enter the postseason expecting to win at least one series — and potentially more. But the math is working against them. Only four teams can make it through the first round, so at least two of these aspiring contenders will be one-and-done in the playoffs.
That brings us to today’s poll question: Which of the East’s top six teams won’t make it through the first round this spring?
Vote for two teams below in our poll, then head to the comment section below to explain your picks and to weigh in on which teams you expect to make deep postseason runs.
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
I think the celtics pass the heat for the 2 seed so the Bucks and Celtics are locks over whoever gets 7 and 8, I think the injuries to the Raptors and how young the Heat are makes them my 2 choices. The 76ers roster is built for the postseason and Oladipo coming back will be huge. Should be very interesting how it all shakes out
The handful of people who voted for the Bucks are obviously fans of one of the other 5 teams. Milwaukee is the only team here that’s a lock for the 2nd round. Boston and Philly could lose in the 1st round just as easily as Indiana, Miami, or Toronto.
Yes I think Milwaukee is a lock for the finals. No bones about it.
And I think Toronto loses in the first round. Just like the old days LOL… except it won’t be DeMar DeRozan dribbling off his foot out of bounds, it’ll be back to Kyle Lowry dribbling off his foot out of bounds.
so the injuries are the reason the Raptors lose in the first round, but Indiana gets a boost from theirs? Are you thinking the injuries will cost Toronto seeding or that they won’t get healthy?
No, not having Kwaii Leonard anymore is why Toronto won’t make it out of the first if they even make it.
Matchups are really going to be a big deciding factor I think. I think the Bucks are a given to go through but who knows with the other 3.
There’s a reason why the Pacers are the hands down leader right now. Of these 6 teams, they are the weakest. Raptors, Heat, 76ers, and Celtics are all fragile with different levels for different reasons, but all could easily go on a run if they don’t have to see the Bucks until the Conference Finals. Also, other than the Pacers, if someone surprises the Bucks or if Giannis gets hurt, any of them can get to the Finals too.
Seriously…. do any of the folks have a solid NBA acumen?
Or did they not read the question? Once Olidipo returns, Indy is 1/2 in the conference.
Best defensive backcourt in the league. #Fact
Pacers were 2nd or 3rd last year with Dipo, but it won’t easy to match that with his return.
MarlinsFanBase: you are so in tune with Marlins losing, you are scarred for life. Print that comment…you need to eat your words about Pacers. Brogdon missed a couple but will be back soon. Pacers are going to guard you hard…..these other teams will feel it. VO comes back…our scoring improves too! We need to finish @ 3/4 to avoid bucks/Celtics. 6ers have chemistry issues….moody embiid….little Ben still can’t shoot. The Heat is surprise of east.
Fair statement. But, part of your statement indicates why the Pacers tend to be the most likely team to not win a round. You mention avoiding the Bucks and Celtics. While everyone wants to avoid the Bucks as long as possible, the Raptors, Heat and 76ers would not be worried as much about the Celtics as much as the Pacers do. While the Pacers would have to avoid them, these other teams can beat the Celtics in a series. No matter who the Pacers face out of the other 5, they’ll have to bring their ‘A Game’ for an entire series against all of them, while hoping for a ‘B Game’ from them for 2 or 3 games.
One thing we all can agree on. The Eastern Conference will be exciting in the series not involving the Bucks before the ECF.