The NBA season has started and it is never too early to start talking about playoffs. For the NBA Playoffs, the three division winners get the top three spots and then the next five playoff spots go to the best five records that are left. There are a total of eight playoff spots. I will be doing my best to pick eight teams in the eastern conference that I believe will make the playoffs. I will order these teams by eighth seed to the number one seed.

8th Seed: Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets finished 48-34 last season which got them the sixth seed in the conference. They lost in the first round in the playoffs last year to the Miami Heat in a tough seven game series. Fast forward to now, they lost key players like Al Jefferson and Jeremy Lin but they were able to re-sign Nicholas Batum and get back forward Michael Kidd Gilchrist from injury. They have also added former center for the Pacers and Lakers Roy Hibbert. Last year, they were a top 10 team with offense and defense but with their recent losses they will not be that same team from last year. Having Michael Kidd Gilchrist back from injury does help a lot though. Having him back will add some much needed defense to this Hornets team. I expect this team to barely make the playoffs and be knocked out in the first game by getting swept or maybe winning one or two games.

7th Seed: Detroit Pistons

Last year, the Detroit Pistons went 44-38 as they made their first appearance in the playoffs since the 2008-2009 season as the eighth seed. Last year, they were swept in the first round by the current NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers. This was also their first winning season since the 2007-2008 season. This team was a legit team last year, as they traded for Tobias Harris last year. With point guard Reggie Jackson and one of the best centers in the league Andre Drummond leading the Pistons this team's future looks bright. Detroit is looking for newly acquired center from the Spurs Boban Marjanovic to produce as well as players that have been in Detroit for a while like Kentavious Caldwell Pope. This Pistons team is a good defensive squad that is lead by former Magics head coach Stan Van Gundy but they need to improve on offense to become a better team. I see them improving up one seed but getting eliminated in the first round in five games.

6th Seed: Milwaukee Bucks

Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks finished 33-49 as the finished twelfth in the conference because they missed the playoffs. This off-season, they drafted 7'1" Thon Maker and they added Mirza Teletovic, Matthew Dellavedova, and Jason Terry to add more depth to this team. During the off-season, the Bucks announced that their franchise player 6'11" Giannis Antetokounmpo will play at point guard. I expect Giannis to have a breakout season because Giannis can do almost everything on the court. If he develops a better jumpshot, he can be an all-star in no time. Also, with Jabari Parker being almost fully recovered from his torn ACL, I expect him to have a nice bounce back season. Expect this young team to have a decent season and making the playoffs but getting knocked out in the first round in six games.

5th Seed: Indiana Pacers

Last season, the Pacers finished with a 45-37 record as they finished seventh in the conference. They made the playoffs, but they lost a very competitive seven games series to the Toronto Raptors in the first round. After their first round exit, they had a very productive off-season, as they acquired Jeff Teague from the Hawks, Al Jefferson from the Hornets, and Jeremy Evans from the Jazz. Also, last year was Paul George's first season back from the scary leg injury during a team USA game. With Paul George being back to 100% and the Pacers having some new parts this season will have Pacers fans very optimistic. I expect the Pacers to have a better season and to have a very competitive first round. They have the potential to pull off a first round upset this year so people should be aware of the Pacers.

4th Seed: Chicago Bulls

Last season was the first for the Bulls under head coach Fred Hoiberg after Tom Thibodeau got fired. The Bulls went 42-40 and finished ninth in the conference as they barely missed the playoffs, which is the first time in eight years. They also had a busy off-season considering they traded away Derrick Rose and lost Joakim Noah to the Knicks and Pau Gasol to the Spurs. They also had some good additions in Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, and all star shooting guard from the Miami Heat Dwayne Wade. With Jimmy Butler becoming one of the best two way players in the league, as well as one of the best shooting guards in the league. The Chicago Bulls has always been one of the best rebounding teams in the league expect them to have a drop off in rebounding production. Losing players like Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, who are good rebounders, will be a tough loss for them as they will struggle against good rebounding teams. With a great leader with championship experience in Dwayne Wade, this Bulls team will definitely have a better season than last year. Lack of shooting could be trouble for these Bulls though. I expect them to have a good season and have a good chance to make it to the second round.

3rd Seed: Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors had their best season in franchise history last year, as they had their first fifty win season going 56-26 winning their division and finishing second in the conference. They ended up making the eastern conference finals but losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games. During the off-season, they lost one of their best rebounders in Bismack Biyombo but signed a decent replacement in Jared Sullinger. Expect the Raptors to also have a drop in rebounding, but these Raptors will have another good season with one of the best duos in the NBA, Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan. They have the potential to make it to the eastern conference finals but they are not yet a championship contender.

2nd Seed: Boston Celtics

Last season, the Boston Celtics finished fifth in the eastern conference with a 48-34 record, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks. After that they had a very productive off-season, as they lost Jared Sullinger and Evan Turner in free agency but they added Jaylen Brown with the Nets pick and Gerald Green and Al Horford via free agency. The Celtics now have the reliable big man they have been desperately looking for. All the Celtics need is a go to scoring superstar and they are instant title contenders. They are one or two more moves away from competing with the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. They can get that superstar this year before the trade deadline or they can get him during the off season. The Celtics have the potential to make it to the conference finals but they don't have the talent to be a title contender just yet.

1st Seed: Cleveland Cavaliers

Last year, LeBron James finally fulfilled his promise to Cleveland and brought a championship to the 'Land. He led the Cavaliers an NBA finals win after being down 3-1 to the Golden State Warriors. The Cleveland Cavaliers finished 57-25, which helped them win the division and conference. It took seven games to win and bring them the championship, but the Cavaliers got it done. During the off-season, they lost point guard Matthew Dellavedova and center Timofey Mozgov but added Mike Dunleavy through trade, Chris "Birdman" Andersen via free agency, and drafted Kay Felder. I expect this team to not only make it to the NBA finals but to win. As long as LeBron James is healthy and playing for Cleveland, expect the Cavaliers to be title contenders every year.

Those are the teams I expect to make it to the playoffs in the east this year. Let me know what you guys think about these teams. Next week, I will be picking who will make the playoffs in the western conference make sure you guys stay tuned to that article!