2024 NBA Eastern Conference Predictions: Boston Celtics No. 1 Seed, Detroit Pistons Make Noise

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t operating from an Jap Convention arms race that started shortly after Boston secured its 18th title in franchise historical past again in June. 

“Individuals are gonna say the goal’s on our again, however I hope it’s proper on our brow in between our eyes,” Mazzulla mentioned on the “Locked on Celtics” podcast. “I hope I can see the purple dot.” 

Mazzulla is probably going going to get his want, evident by groups like Philadelphia and New York loading up over the offseason. The 76ers introduced in Paul George to place alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, whereas newcomers Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities have given the Knicks a starting five to be feared.

Throw in the truth that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard could have the Milwaukee Bucks in rivalry, the Orlando Magic are a crew on the rise, and the Miami Warmth at all times appear to play their greatest basketball when it issues most, and it’s very straightforward to see that the Jap Convention may be very a lot up for grabs. 

Listed below are three issues we may see occurring in a aggressive East:

Boston Celtics lock up No. 1 seed (once more)

That beginning 5 of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Bridges and Cities out in New York has all people speaking, however don’t get it twisted: Boston nonetheless has the deeper crew.

Large man Kristaps Porzingis will likely be on the shelf until at least December due to offseason ankle surgical procedure, however the Celtics nonetheless have greater than sufficient weapons to carry them over in the interim.

Boston is basically bringing again the identical precise crew that went 64-18 a season in the past, and it quietly added Lonnie Walker IV (shot 38.4 % from 3-point vary in 2023-24) to a bench that already featured Sam Hauser (42.4 %) and Payton Pritchard (38.5 %). 

Orlando Magic steal a top-four seed

On paper, it’s wanting just like the Celtics, Knicks, Bucks and Sixers are shoo-ins for the highest 4 spots within the convention.

However don’t sleep on Orlando.

The Magic almost obtained there final season, touchdown within the playoffs because the No. 5 seed, they usually completed only one sport behind the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers within the standings. He would possibly solely be 21, however Paolo Banchero is able to take this Orlando crew to new heights.

So, who slides? We’ll go together with Philadelphia, which is able to possible by no means have Embiid for the second leg of a back-to-back ever once more. Oh, and George might already be catching the damage bug, hyperextending his knee throughout a preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening.

Detroit Pistons sneak into play-in event

Yep. You learn that proper.

All this younger expertise has to click on in some unspecified time in the future, doesn’t it? Detroit was an NBA worst 14-68 final season, but it surely seems like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren can’t hold getting held down for for much longer. Veteran Tobias Harris is again with the Pistons now, too.

We nonetheless don’t know sufficient about ahead Ausar Thompson, the fifth total choose within the 2023 draft. He regarded promising in his 63 video games (38 begins), however a blood clot minimize his rookie season quick.

Having J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm must also actually assist Detroit because it tries to succeed in the postseason for the primary time since 2018-19.

Official Jap Convention standings prediction:

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Miami Warmth
8. Indiana Pacers
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Atlanta Hawks
13. Washington Wizards
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Brooklyn Nets