Predicting the NBA’s Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
No. 4 New York Knicks vs. No. 5 Cleveland Cavaliers
New York got the unfortunate news that Julius Randle has been ruled out for the postseason, but the Knicks are ready to battle with whoever they have in their lineup. I’d bet a lot of money on Jalen Brunson delivering in a seven-game series. The struggling Cleveland Cavaliers don’t look playoff-ready in the slightest, so unless the Knicks can climb to the No. 3 seed, they’ll likely be bounced in the second round by the Boston Celtics.
Play-In Tournament: No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
Outside of the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers are 100% the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference right now. Joel Embiid will be entering the playoffs the healthiest he’s ever been, Tyrese Maxey is cooking alongside him, and Nick Nurse has the role players executing at a high level. However, they must ensure they don’t end up as the eighth seed because they could use more time to continue regrouping before facing the Boston Celtics. However, if Philly ends up as the sixth or seventh seed, I’d put money on them to reach the East Finals with an easy draw of a spiraling Milwaukee squad and the Orlando Magic or New York Knicks.
We know the power of “Playoff Jimmy” for the Miami Heat, but it is fair to say that this Miami group may not have the horses. I won’t put it past this Heat team to wake up at the right time, but I don’t think they have enough to compete with the Celtics in a likely first-round matchup.
Play-In Tournament: No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks
The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are set to battle it out with their seasons on the line in the Play-In Tournament, but in reality, both teams should be getting ready to blow it up this offseason. Neither Chicago nor Atlanta will turn it around next season, so both squads should use their inevitable Play-In Tournament losses as the motivation to enter a full-blown rebuild.
No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Seed
The Boston Celtics are sitting comfortably with the NBA’s best record as they aim to stay hot come playoff time. Boston has had several successful regular seasons with no Larry O’Brien to show for it. The Celtics are in a spot where if they don’t win it all, the season will go down as a failure.
Looking at potential first-round matchups, Boston shouldn’t be too concerned about the Chicago Bulls or Atlanta Hawks, but knowing how well the Miami Heat have matched up with them in recent postseason runs could be cause for concern. At the same time, Joel Embiid's strong bill of health makes the Philadelphia 76ers a dangerous No. 8 seed if they cannot climb to the sixth or seventh seed. Still, this is Boston’s conference to lose.
No. 2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 7 Seed
The Milwaukee Bucks are spiraling out of control at the wrong time, losing four straight games as the Orlando Magic are a single game behind them for the No. 2 seed. The Bucks and Magic will play each other twice over the season's final three games, deciding each team’s playoff-seeding fate.
For the Bucks’ sake, they should hope to fall to the third seed as that will lower their probability of facing the Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, which are matchups the Bucks don’t look ready for right now.
No. 3 Orlando Magic vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
The Orlando Magic are the most underappreciated team in basketball, and they won’t be pushovers in the playoffs. They have a legitimate chance of stealing the two-seed in the East by the end of the week, as they’ll face the Milwaukee Bucks twice. Despite their youth, they won’t be backing down from any opponent. Paolo Banchero is leading this group at just 21 years old, surrounded by role players executing on the defensive end.
For a future to watch, Jamahl Mosley is sitting at +550 to win the Coach of the Year. If he brings this Magic team to the second seed, it could be his award at the finish line.
No. 4 New York Knicks vs. No. 5 Cleveland Cavaliers
New York got the unfortunate news that Julius Randle has been ruled out for the postseason, but the Knicks are ready to battle with whoever they have in their lineup. I’d bet a lot of money on Jalen Brunson delivering in a seven-game series. The struggling Cleveland Cavaliers don’t look playoff-ready in the slightest, so unless the Knicks can climb to the No. 3 seed, they’ll likely be bounced in the second round by the Boston Celtics.
Play-In Tournament: No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
Outside of the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers are 100% the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference right now. Joel Embiid will be entering the playoffs the healthiest he’s ever been, Tyrese Maxey is cooking alongside him, and Nick Nurse has the role players executing at a high level. However, they must ensure they don’t end up as the eighth seed because they could use more time to continue regrouping before facing the Boston Celtics. However, if Philly ends up as the sixth or seventh seed, I’d put money on them to reach the East Finals with an easy draw of a spiraling Milwaukee squad and the Orlando Magic or New York Knicks.
We know the power of “Playoff Jimmy” for the Miami Heat, but it is fair to say that this Miami group may not have the horses. I won’t put it past this Heat team to wake up at the right time, but I don’t think they have enough to compete with the Celtics in a likely first-round matchup.
