Sport2024 NBA Eastern Conference Predictions: Boston Celtics No. 1 Seed, Detroit Pistons Make Noise

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t running from an Eastern Conference arms race that began shortly after Boston secured its 18th title in franchise history back in June. 

“People are gonna say the target’s on our back, but I hope it’s right on our forehead in between our eyes,” Mazzulla said on the “Locked on Celtics” podcast. “I hope I can see the red dot.” 

Mazzulla is likely going to get his wish, evident by teams like Philadelphia and New York loading up over the offseason. The 76ers brought in Paul George to put alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while newcomers Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have given the Knicks a starting five to be feared.

Throw in the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will have the Milwaukee Bucks in contention, the Orlando Magic are a team on the rise, and the Miami Heat always seem to play their best basketball when it matters most, and it’s very easy to see that the Eastern Conference is very much up for grabs. 

Here are three things we could see happening in a competitive East:

Boston Celtics lock up No. 1 seed (again)

That starting five of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Bridges and Towns out in New York has everybody talking, but don’t get it twisted: Boston still has the deeper team.

Big man Kristaps Porzingis will likely be on the shelf until at least December because of offseason ankle surgery, but the Celtics still have more than enough weapons to hold them over for the time being.

Boston is essentially bringing back the same exact team that went 64-18 a season ago, and it quietly added Lonnie Walker IV (shot 38.4 percent from 3-point range in 2023-24) to a bench that already featured Sam Hauser (42.4 percent) and Payton Pritchard (38.5 percent). 

Orlando Magic steal a top-four seed

On paper, it’s looking like the Celtics, Knicks, Bucks and Sixers are shoo-ins for the top four spots in the conference.

But don’t sleep on Orlando.

The Magic nearly got there last season, landing in the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, and they finished just one game behind the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers in the standings. He might only be 21, but Paolo Banchero is ready to take this Orlando team to new heights.

So, who slides? We’ll go with Philadelphia, which will likely never have Embiid for the second leg of a back-to-back ever again. Oh, and George may already be catching the injury bug, hyperextending his knee during a preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.

Detroit Pistons sneak into play-in tournament

Yep. You read that right.

All this young talent has to click at some point, doesn’t it? Detroit was an NBA worst 14-68 last season, but it feels like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren can’t keep getting held down for much longer. Veteran Tobias Harris is back with the Pistons now, too.

We still don’t know enough about forward Ausar Thompson, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He looked promising in his 63 games (38 starts), but a blood clot cut his rookie season short.

Having J.B. Bickerstaff at the helm should also really help Detroit as it tries to reach the postseason for the first time since 2018-19.

Official Eastern Conference standings prediction:

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Miami Heat
8. Indiana Pacers
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Atlanta Hawks
13. Washington Wizards
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Brooklyn Nets