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NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

Can anybody stop the Cavs in the east?

Harry Howard Jr

Oct 19, 2016

Old Dominion University

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

Yahoo

The Eastern Conference will be more competitive this season but the Cleveland Cavaliers are still the only true championship contender. Lebron James has been to six straight NBA Finals and he's looking to make it seven to defend his crown.

Here are the eight teams I predict we'll be seeing in the Eastern Conference Playoffs in April.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Projected record:56-21

Last Season: 57-25

Cleveland coasted through the regular season last year and it'll be much of the same this year. Lebron James has already agreed to follow Tyronn Lues plan for him to play less during the regular season. With Lebron playing around 70 games this season Kyrie Irving will carry the offensive load.

2. Boston Celtics

Projected record:52-30

Last Season: 48-34

Under head coach Brad Stevens the Boston Celtics record has improved every year and that trend shall continue. The Celtics had their best offseason with Stevens as the coach adding All-Star center Al Horford and taking Jaylen Brown with the third pick in the NBA draft.

3. Toronto Raptors

Projected record:50-32

Last Season: 56-26

Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan carried the Raptors to their best season in franchise history falling two wins short of NBA Finals. That will be tough to follow up after the team lost frontcourt depth in free agency. (Bismack Biyombo signed with the Orlando Magic and Luis Scola signed with the Brooklyn Nets)

4. Indiana Pacers

Projected record:47-35

Last Season: 45-37

Larry Bird quietly had a great offseason adding veterans Al Jefferson, Thaddeus Young, and Jeff Teague to play alongside star Paul George and rising talent Myles Turner.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Projected record: 45-37

Last Season: 48-34

Atlanta is one of the most consistent teams in the east but the organization felt like it was time to make some significant changes. Dwight Howard returns home to replace Al Horford and Dennis Schroder steps in as the team's new starting point guard replacing Jeff Teague.

6. Detroit Pistons

Projected record: 44-38

Last Season: 44-38

Detroit is looking to build off their first playoff appearance in six years. With Reggie Jackson missing the first month of the season Ish Smith gets the keys to run Stan Van Gundy's 1-in 4-out offense.

7. New York Knicks

Projected record:43-39

Last Season: 32-50

Derrick Rose might feel like this spot is too low for his "Super Team" but the team's injury history is the reason why I have them here. In addition to the acquisition of Rose this offseason, the Knicks signed Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings who will become the starter if Rose misses any time. Kristaps Porzingis will continue to improve and Carmelo Anthony is still one of the best scorers on the planet.

8. Charlotte Hornets

Projected record:41-41

Last Season: 48-34

Kemba Walker has to once again play at an All-Star level with the losses of Al Jefferson, Jeremy Lin, and Courtney Lee. He'll have help from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who's looking to show the league that he can stay healthy for a full season.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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Recommended for you

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

Can anybody stop the Cavs in the east?

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Boston Celtics

3. Toronto Raptors

4. Indiana Pacers

5. Atlanta Hawks

6. Detroit Pistons

7. New York Knicks

8. Charlotte Hornets

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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