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There is currently some movement in the East, as we're trending down wards and Cleveland is trending upwards. I saw them play OKC yesterday and quite frankly, I'm scared of them. Add them to the list of teams I don't want to face in the playoffs - along with Washington and Atlanta. Brooklyn is only a 1/2 game behind Charlotte but they've totally fallen apart lately and appear to spiraling downward (2-8 in their last 10 games). After a miserable start, Charlotte is playing good ball now.

Obviously so much can happen over the next few months with injuries, etc but as of January 26th, 2015 my regular season ending projections look like:

1 Atlanta
2 Washington
3 Cleveland
4 Toronto
5 Chicago
6 Miami
7 Charlotte
8 Milwaukee

That would leave first round match ups of:
Atlanta vs Milwaukee (Atlanta in 4)
Washington vs Charlotte (Washington in 5)
Cleveland vs Miami (Cleveland in 6)
Chicago vs Toronto (Chicago in 7)

Second round match ups of:
Atlanta vs Chicago (Atlanta in 6)
Washington vs Cleveland (Washington in 7)

Eastern Conference Finals:
Atlanta vs Washington (Atlanta in 7)

So many people hate on Atlanta but look at the D they play. They are leading the NBA in points allowed (96.2) and holding teams to 43% FG (5th in the NBA). I just don't think Washington or Cleveland have the D to win the East. Aside from the Spurs of 2014, Atlanta play's the best team game I've seen in years. Incredible ball movement, perfect execution, and excellent coaching. They are simply the best team in the East by so far and away I just think short of a catastrophic injury to Teague, Hortford, etc they'll win the East.

Thoughts? Predictions?

Wizards are not beating the Cavs in a series.

I think the Bulls will find a way to grab the #2 seed and facing Miami in the first round:

ATL
CHI
WAS
TOR
CLE
MIL
MIA
CHA

Think some of you guys are forgetting that Toronto can't fall past #4 (Titanic Division leaders). Also, saw a recent graphic showing that they literally have the #1 easiest remaining schedule in the league.

Even if they keep squeaking by teams like the Sixers, Pistons etc they are probably going to rack up enough cupcake wins to stay in 3rd.

Cleveland and Chicago still have some tough stretches ahead, while Toronto and Washington mostly have cupcakes.


It would appear that Chicago has the smallest margin of error and at some point needs to stop dropping winnable games and go on a streak. Otherwise I think you guys are most likely going to be the lucky winners of the Lebron sweepstakes (aka first round matchup vs Cavs and the refs)

2 seed, conference finals.

Yeah, that's right, Toronto in my predictions would be 4th since they'd win their division.

DuckIII wrote:2 seed, conference finals.

Agreed as of now.

1. Atlanta
2. Chicago
3. Toronto
4. Washington
5. Cleveland
6. Miami
7. Milwaukee
8. Charlotte

Although Bulls/Heat first round would be great if it ends up like that. Cavs/Heat too.

DuckIII wrote:2 seed, conference finals.

I'll take it one step further.

Second seed. Conference winners.

You all will see the difference it makes having players who've been there and done that before in the playoffs. We have a few of those.

5th seed. 2nd round exit at the hand of the Hawks.

Cleveland are getting it together and will overtake us. They probably move into 3rd. Not great news for our pick swap.

1. ATL
2. WAS
3. CLE
4. TOR
5. CHI

Atlanta is like Indiana of last year. They will still be the #1 seed and lose in the ECF against the Bulls or Cavs.

East Champs,
not buying into Atlanta as a serious contender. Hate me now.

Mech Engineer wrote:Atlanta is like Indiana of last year. They will still be the #1 seed and lose in the ECF against the Bulls or Cavs.

Like the 2010-11 Bulls?

Illmatic12 wrote:Think some of you guys are forgetting that Toronto can't fall past #4 (Titanic Division leaders). Also, saw a recent graphic showing that they literally have the #1 easiest remaining schedule in the league.

Even if they keep squeaking by teams like the Sixers, Pistons etc they are probably going to rack up enough cupcake wins to stay in 3rd.

Cleveland and Chicago still have some tough stretches ahead, while Toronto and Washington mostly have cupcakes.


It would appear that Chicago has the smallest margin of error and at some point needs to stop dropping winnable games and go on a streak. Otherwise I think you guys are most likely going to be the lucky winners of the Lebron sweepstakes (aka first round matchup vs Cavs and the refs)

Great call. I edited TOR into the 4th seed. Still think we knock them off -- as playing on the road is not an issue for us. I just don't see us knocking off any of Atlanta, Cleveland, and Washington.

Mark K wrote:

Mech Engineer wrote:Atlanta is like Indiana of last year. They will still be the #1 seed and lose in the ECF against the Bulls or Cavs.

Like the 2010-11 Bulls?

No....that Bulls were using a 3rd year player as the #1 option. Indiana had more diverse offense like the Hawks although their offense was not good as Atlanta. I also don't think the Hawks will self-destruct like the Pacers.

It is about not having a star to take over when things get tough for them especially as theye go deep. IMO, Derrick had the ability but didn't have the experience while these guys probably don't have the ability like the Pacers in an ECF setting.

gstephanopulos wrote:East Champs,
not buying into Atlanta as a serious contender. Hate me now.

You are not alone. A lot of people feel that way. I just haven't seen anybody play basketball like them in a long time (other than the Spurs of 2014). I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta won the NBA championship. Teague, Milsap and Hortford are way better than I ever considered them to be. And they have an elite coach.

I don't see us even taking 3 games against them in a series.

finals winner with a small trade

ATL is playing balls to the wall during the regular season. Every game is like a playoff game for them. Reminds me of our 2010 Bulls.

They won't have a 2nd gear for the playoffs. They won't make it out of the 2nd round. Championship? Pls. I've seen that song and dance before.

I predict a Bulls/Cavs ECF and if we don't do the things we need to be better prepared for that series, we are going to fall.

2nd seed. Finals against the Spurs. We win.

Both ATL and GSW will fall in the second round or conference finals.

If we continue this trend with this current roster, we will lose in the second round if that far.
If we can somehow obtain chemistry and spread the court, we will win the East.

NecessaryEvil wrote:ATL is playing balls to the wall during the regular season. Every game is like a playoff game for them. Reminds me of our 2010 Bulls.

They won't have a 2nd gear for the playoffs. They won't make it out of the 2nd round. Championship? Pls. I've seen that song and dance before.

I predict a Bulls/Cavs ECF and if we don't do the things we need to be better prepared for that series, we are going to fall.

See, I think they are way better than we were in 2010. Watching them play is a thing of beauty. They are such a sound team fundamentally and I see them built for the post-season with their defense and excellent half court play. I don't want to face them. Ever.