Accidents and roster adjustments rocked the Japanese Convention final yr, making the convention standings look a lot totally different than in recent times. Many groups have made blockbuster roster strikes which are certain to shake up the Japanese panorama. Because the NBA begins this Friday, I will break down my predictions for the convention’s high six groups for the 2024-25 season.
#6 Indiana Pacers
Final yr, the Pacers made a shocking run to the Japanese Convention Finals earlier than being swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. The Pacers have been led by star level guard Tyrese Haliburton earlier than he began to wrestle down the stretch of the yr. The Pacers managed to retain Pascal Siakam this offseason, which means Indiana’s star duo is undamaged. The Pacers did not make any adjustments this offseason, however they count on growth from their younger function gamers Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith. Pacers will battle to remain out of the play-in event within the East; final yr, they completed tied for 3 with 47 wins with the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.
No. 5 Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland completed fourth within the Japanese Convention final yr with a 48-34 report. After a hard-fought seven-game victory over the Magic within the first spherical, their season was ended by the Celtics in 5 video games. Cleveland retained its core group of star gamers, star guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, in addition to their on-court duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Issues will not be drastically totally different from final yr for the Cavs, as they did not make any notable adjustments to their roster through the offseason. The Cavs made a head teaching change, changing JB Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson, which may shake issues up. The No. 5 seed might be very aggressive for Cleveland, competing with groups like Indiana, Miami and Orlando for the underside East seeds, however it’s a problem I believe they’re effectively outfitted for.
No. 4 Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee has fallen into the Japanese highlight since its run to the 2021 NBA Finals. Final yr, the Bucks paired former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard, a duo many anticipated to dominate the league, establishing comparisons to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Milwaukee completed third seed within the East with a 49-33 report. After the stunning head teaching change, the Bucks had a hiccup on the highway. Simply 43 video games into his teaching tenure, the Bucks fired Adrian Griffin regardless of going 30-13. He was changed by Doc Rivers, who led the crew to a subsequent report of 17-19. The Bucks have been bounced within the first spherical to the six-seed Pacers, a disappointing finish to a season with such excessive expectations. A sudden teaching change, together with a brand new star duo, was sure to spoil issues for Milwaukee. With time to return collectively this offseason, I see no purpose why Milwaukee should not discover itself within the Japanese Convention playoff image.
No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia noticed its season derailed with the midseason harm to former MVP Joel Embiid. Within the 39 video games he performed final yr, he was an early favourite for the MVP race. He averaged 33 factors and 10.8 rebounds per sport. He might be again this yr alongside six-time All-NBA crew member Paul George. George provides scoring capacity at three ranges and has been among the best two-way forwards within the league all through his profession. With the emergence of Tyrese Maxey final yr, who averaged 29.8 factors per sport, the 76ers shaped one of the spectacular trios within the league. Veterans Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon spherical out the 76ers’ roster, and expectations are excessive for his or her first-round decide, Jared McCain. Embiid and firm will look to return to the highest of the East this season.
No. 2 New York Knicks
The Knicks stole the present this offseason. Only a week earlier than the season began, they traded away Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to herald among the best offensive facilities within the NBA, Karl-Anthony Cities. Cities is a transparent improve for the Knicks, filling the middle function left empty by Isaiah Hartenstein. Randle is coming off an harm and usually fails within the playoffs. Whereas DiVincenzo misplaced most of his offensive function with the addition of Mikal Bridges. City’s capacity to stretch the courtroom might be big for the Knicks, as it should open up the paint for Jalen Brunson in isolation. The Knicks have been poised to grow to be Boston’s hardest problem on their highway to the NBA Finals earlier than being suffering from accidents within the playoffs. This yr, the Knicks pose an excellent greater menace to the Celtics, who want to usurp the throne within the East.
#1 Boston Celtics
Because the reigning NBA champions, Boston is the crew to beat within the Japanese Convention this yr. Boston has been on the high of the East as of late, ending within the high three in every of the final 4 years. Final yr, the Celtics completed with a 64-18 report, ending 14 video games higher than the runner-up Knicks. Towards Japanese groups, they have been 41-11. Boston retains its complete championship roster, giving them a bonus over the remainder of the convention with the peace of mind of continuity. There isn’t any crew within the NBA with higher chemistry, which is clear on the courtroom. A web score is a statistic that measures how significantly better or worse a crew performs when a participant is on the sphere. Celtics gamers accounted for 5 of the highest six web rankings within the NBA. With dynamic duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown main the best way, count on one other large yr in Boston.
