ISJ: NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Preview and Prediction

By Jackson Koslow

174 days, 2,640 games, the NBA regular season is finally over and the playoffs have finally arrived. After one of the most action packed and compelling NBA seasons ever, 20 teams are ready to battle it out for the NBA championship. In this article, we will break down each matchup in the Eastern Conference and give our predictions.

• * indicates a hypothetical matchup

1. Miami Heat (46-36) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)

• In the first matchup of the Play-In tournament, the 7 seed 76ers take on the 8 seed Heat in what is sure to be a compelling matchup. The 76ers come in hot, riding an 8 game winning streak due to the return of star player, Joel Embiid. The Heat come in with a less impressive 3-3 in their last 6 games, but are sure to be a tough out for any team during the playoffs. Joel Embiid’s health will be the pivotal factor in this matchup as he will be the best player on the court at all times, however, he did not play in Philadelphia’s season finale. This prediction could change based on new health reports, but with the assumption Embiid plays, the prediction is:
  • Philadelphia 76ers: 112 – Miami Heat: 105

Pictured: Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. Photo Credit: Liberty Ballers

2. Chicago Bulls (39-43) vs. Atlanta Hawks (36-46)

• In the second matchup of the Play-In tournament, the 9 seed Bulls take on the 10 seed Hawks. The Hawks limped into the last spot of the playoffs, skidding through the end of the season on a 6 game losing streak. However, not all hope is lost for Atlanta, as star point guard Trae Young has finally returned from injury. For the Bulls, they have been playing good basketball as of late, riding a 3 game winning streak before dropping a thriller in overtime to the 2 seed Knicks. The Bulls have been tarnished by injury all season, losing star players Lonzo Ball, Zach Lavine, and Patrick Williams. However, the Bulls tandem of Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Demar Derozan should be enough to put them through against the Hawks, before eventually losing to the Heat in the next game.
  • Chicago Bulls: 123 – Atlanta Hawks: 108

Pictured: Coby White and Demar Derozan of the Chicago Bulls. Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

3. Boston Celtics (64-18) vs. Miami Heat* (46-36)

• In the 1 vs 8 seed matchup, we get a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. The Celtics come in widely regarded as the league’s best team. They have the best record in the league at 64-18, and have lost at home only 4 times the entire season. Their opponents are not to be put away so easily however. The Heat made it to the Championship as the 8 seed last year with star Jimmy Butler at the helm, and have consistently defied the odds in the playoffs. However, I feel as if the Celtics are just too good for the Heat, with star power from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown just too much for the Heat to handle. Give me:
  • Boston Celtics def. Miami Heat in 5 games

Pictured: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Photo Credit: Celtics Blog

4.  New York Knicks (50-32) vs. Philadelphia 76ers* (47-35)

• In the 2 vs 7 seed matchup, we get what will be my favorite matchup to watch in the East, the New York Knicks vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks come into the matchup flaming hot, winners of 6 of their last 7, including a nail biter against the Bulls to end the season. The Knicks star player, Jalen Brunson, will be the X factor in this matchup, as he looks to continue his hot scoring into the playoffs. The 76ers come in hot as well, winners of 8 straight. With star players Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid determined to turn around an overall disappointing regular season, this matchup lines up to be a good one. Home court advantage will play a massive role in this matchup, as the Knicks play at one of the hardest places to play in the playoffs, Madison Square Garden. In what is sure to be a thrilling series, Give me:
  • New York Knicks def. Philadelphia 76ers in 7 games

Pictured: Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. Photo Credits: New York Daily News

5. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33) vs. Indiana Pacers (47-35)

• In the 3 vs 6 matchup, division rivals Milwaukee Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks come into the matchup on thin ice, losing 4 of their last 6 and star player Giannis Antetokounmpo injured to finish the season. Antetokounmpo and his health will be pivotal to this matchup. If the Greek star is able to come into the matchup fully healthy, the Bucks are one of the most if not the most feared teams in the East. If he is not healthy, Indiana and star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, look to drive one of the best offenses in the NBA right past the faltering Bucks. Throughout the regular season, the Pacers have had the Bucks number, beating them 4 times while just losing once. This fact, along with questionable health and shaky coaching, Give me:
  • Indiana Pacers def. Milwaukee Bucks in 6 games

Pictured: Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers. Photo Credits: KXAN

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34) vs. Orlando Magic (47-35)

• In the 4 vs 5 matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Orlando Magic in the most tightly contested matchup yet. Both teams come in on the terms, winning only 2 of their last 6. For the Magic, it is their first time in the playoffs in 5 years, and for the majority of the young players on the team, their first time in the playoffs as well. The Cavaliers come in more experienced, having made the playoffs with a similar roster for the past couple of years. The star power of Donovan Mitchell and the defensive prowess of big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, coupled with the sheer experience that Cleveland holds over Orlando, drives me to favor the Cavs over the Magic. Give me:
  • Cleveland Cavaliers def. Orlando Magic in 6 games

Pictured: Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo Credits: Yahoo Sports

The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be extremely exciting, with many of the teams competing in the playoffs extremely similar in skill level. Like every year, many different upsets or shock wins could happen, which makes the NBA playoffs so exciting. In total for the East, there is no team in my opinion that could take down the Celtics in a 7 game series. I think whoever wins the series between the Knicks and the 76ers* has the best chance of beating the Celtics, but ultimately, give me the Celtics to avenge last year’s ECF loss and advance to the NBA Championship.