NBA Season Preview: Eastern Conference Final Standings Predictions

10. (Play-In) Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are content with being mediocre, so why would I not expect them to make the Play-In Tournament again? Despite losing DeMar DeRozan to free agency, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Lonzo Ball won’t be horrible. This team should be blowing it up at the trade deadline and fully leaning into a rebuild. Still, I don’t see them doing that, as the ownership and front office are content with being mediocre. They’re destined for the Play-In and nothing more. 

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +50000

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2. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks fully have championship expectations on their mind for the first time in forever, and we already know Tom Thibodeau will be hunting for that No. 1 seed. Although we don’t think he’ll ultimately claim it, he doesn’t believe in rest, he doesn’t believe in minute restrictions, and he certainly doesn’t believe in load management. These Knicks will be battling every game to stack as many wins as possible, far more than other East contenders, so we expect them to earn the East’s second seed ultimately.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +410

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the most well-rounded teams in the Eastern Conference, with Donovan Mitchell leading the charge. They’re looking to grow off finishing as the fourth seed last season and reaching the East Semifinals. They quietly made a coaching change, bringing in Kenny Atkinson to lead the team, and I’m bullish on what they can accomplish under his leadership. Looking ahead, these Cavs can’t get as many bad breaks and injuries as last season. I expect improvement up to the third seed.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +1800

4. Philadelphia 76ers

On paper, the Philadelphia 76ers are viewed as the second-best team in the conference to many, but by all indications, they couldn’t care less about the regular season. Getting to April healthy is all that matters for this team, so it’s fair to expect them to throw plenty of games this season due to rest. Joel Embiid said he isn’t playing both legs of any back-to-backs this season, and Paul George and Tyrese Maxey suffered minor injuries during the preseason. Compared to last season, this team has enough depth to stay afloat in games where Embiid is sidelined, giving them enough to finish with a top-fourth seed by the start of the postseason. Frankly, the Sixers would take any seed if it means they’re fully healthy during the playoffs, but the four-seed sounds about right.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +500

5. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last season before being swept by the Boston Celtics, and they’ll look to run it back entirely this season. I view this team slightly better than their 2023-24 results because they had an entire offseason acclimatizing Pascal Siakam into this team after trading for him midseason last year. Barring a midseason trade where they upgrade on the wing, I can’t see them improving upon their results last year since everyone in front of them in the standings has improved this off-season. 

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +2100

6. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic shocked many by transforming into not just a playoff team last season but ultimately finishing with the fifth seed and taking the Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. This off-season, they made a splash by bringing in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to bring veteran championship experience to help mentor their young core and be a valuable starter for them on the wing, a signing that has been underrated across the NBA landscape. This team will continue to grow, but unless one of their young stars besides emerges as this team’s second scorer alongside Paolo Banchero, I can’t see them leaping the standings just yet. Still, Magic fans should be pumped for the year ahead to see how much more this young group can grow.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +1700

7. (Play-In) Milwaukee Bucks

The second half of the Milwaukee Bucks season couldn’t have gone worse if they tried under Doc Rivers, and I can’t find a way to believe in a bounceback for this team this season. The pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard looks like a failure, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez are regressing, and the rest of the team lacks depth. Giannis and Lillard are enough to make the Bucks a playoff team, but calling this squad a championship contender would be foolish.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +650

8. (Play-In) Charlotte Hornets

Last season, the Magic appeared to be ahead of schedule in their rebuild, and this season, I’m relatively confident that it will be the Charlotte Hornets. I’m excited to see what new head coach Charles Lee can do with this young group with a ton of talent. On the court, we know what LaMelo Ball can do in this league, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Brandon Miller plays his way into the All-Star conversation. Miller is a ferocious scorer and became more comfortable as the season progressed, so I’m looking for him to overtake Ball as the go-to guy on this team. Outside of the two, Miles Bridges provides a jolt of scoring, and Mark Williams has flashed when on the court as the starting center. I’ve already bought a ton of stock in the Hornets, and it wouldn’t shock me if they finish higher in the standings.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +33000

9. (Play-In) Miami Heat

This feels like a gap year for the Miami Heat as they appear to be riding out Jimmy Butler’s contract before finding the next star to lead the franchise alongside Bam Adebayo. Still, with Erik Spoelstra at the helm, a core of Butler, Adebayo, and Tyler Herro is enough to make the Play-In Tournament.

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +2100

10. (Play-In) Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are content with being mediocre, so why would I not expect them to make the Play-In Tournament again? Despite losing DeMar DeRozan to free agency, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Lonzo Ball won’t be horrible. This team should be blowing it up at the trade deadline and fully leaning into a rebuild. Still, I don’t see them doing that, as the ownership and front office are content with being mediocre. They’re destined for the Play-In and nothing more. 

Odds to win the Eastern Conference: +50000

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