10 predictions for the East
The NBA All-Star game is taking place Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the best of the best having a little fun. Afterwards, the players will head back to their respective teams, gearing up for a postseason run.
In the Eastern Conference, there is less excitement than in the West. It seems most of the true contenders are battling it out on the other side of the country, although the East has some serious quality at the top. The Atlanta Hawks are a fantastic team, but get overlooked because of their perceived lack of star-power.
Of course, that is what makes the playoffs and the charge toward them so much fun. Teams must prove themselves every night.
So here are 10 predictions in the East, spanning the remainder of the regular season:
10. The Indiana Pacers will make the postseason
Indiana is projected to welcome back Paul George in early March. With George in the lineup, the Pacers will have enough scoring to squeak into the playoffs and put a scare into one of the top seeds.
9. The Miami Heat won’t make the postseason
Miami is an older team, and the age will show over the final two months. The Heat have talent but the wheels may come off with a key injury or two.
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo will become a household name
Milwaukee Bucks fans and hardcore NBA junkies know who Antetokounmpo is, and the general public will soon too. The Greek Freak is a superstar in waiting, helping Milwaukee back to relevancy.
7. The New York Knicks will finish with the worst record
New York is terrible and shutting down Carmelo Anthony. With ‘Melo out of commission, the tanking is on. The Knicks have 10 wins now, and won’t hit 15.
6. John Wall and Bradley Beal will have Washington rolling into the playoffs
By April, the Wizards will have ample buzz. Beal and Wall are a tremendous duo, almost impossible to guard at their best. With Nene and Marcin Gortat on the inside, folks will be looking at Washington as a darkhorse.
5. Brook Lopez will be out of Brooklyn
The Nets know a full rebuild is needed, and the first domino will fall with Lopez going to a contender. Look for Brooklyn to trade Lopez out of the conference.
4. The Atlanta Hawks will cruise to the top seed
Atlanta is already 6.5 games ahead of the second-seeded Toronto Raptors. The Hawks should have everything locked up by the time April hits, allowing for some rest.
3. The Cleveland Cavaliers will win the Central Division
Cleveland is finally hitting on all cylinders. Between LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavaliers will overtake the Chicago Bulls and take the crown.
2. The Toronto Raptors will drop to the third seed
The Raptors have already played 30 home dates and only 23 on the road. Toronto also has an upcoming four-game road trip against the Hawks, Rockets, Pelicans and Mavericks .
1. The Philadelphia 76ers will desperately tank, and still miss out on the top pick
Philadelphia has made no secret it wants to be terrible, and it has succeeded. The 76ers will do everything possible to lose out, but the Knicks have them licked. Congrats New York!
