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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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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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There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

Yes, it IS a sport. Yes, I fall all the time. No, I do not ride in jeans with a cowgirl hat on.

1. The looks you get when you wear your riding attire in public

2. Horses spook at anything and everything

3. Your horse deciding to show how disobedient it can be right in front of the judges

4. The look your horse gives you after making you fall

5. Trying to take a picture of your horse....

6. Giving your horse a bath only for them to roll in dirt right after

7. Ponies

8. Walking through a tack shop is like a kid in a toy store

9. When someone tells your horseback riding is not a sport

10. Having your horse as your best friend, and having it any other way

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