Translator's note: The original text was published on ESPN, and the data in the article were as of the time of the original text (August 27 local time). The dates and times involved are local time
The 2025-26 season is slowly approaching, and it is still too early for any serious playoff discussion. However, in a league known for its superstar roster changes, unexpected dark horses and playoff upsets, it’s clear that anything can happen from October to April.
Injuries will be a key factor in the Eastern Conference structure, as teams like the Celtics and Pacers that have recently led the championship may experience a decline in ranking due to the lack of core players.
Let's take a look at our NBA experts' predictions on the winning and losing results of 15 teams in the East.
Note: Our 2025-26 NBA summer forecast will continue tomorrow, which will bring predictions for divisional and overall championships. Yesterday, we announced the predictions of the winners of the league's major awards, including MVP, DPOY, etc.
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Related readings: Western Conference Analysis: The Thunder reaches the top, the Rockets strengthen their shortcomings, and the Lakers are highly anticipated The Warriors fell into the playoffs
Championship ranks
Cavaliers: 59 wins 23
Knicks: 54 wins 28
Magic: 50 wins 32
Hawks: 47 wins 35
Pistons: 47 wins 35
Cavaliers retained the players who accounted for 93% of the 64-win lineup last season, made two defensive reinforcements (gets Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr) during the offseason, and witnessed two major division opponents stars (Jason Tatum and Tyres Halliburton) suffered season-reimbursed injuries.
However, entering the new season, the Cavaliers led by All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are only slightly ahead of the Knicks according to ESPN BET's odds. Last season, the Cavaliers defeated the Knicks, led by Jaylen Brunson and Carl Anthony Towns four times, and won 13 more games than them. There is no doubt that the Knicks are a strong team, they reached the division finals and introduced Jordan Clarkson and Gaelson Yabuselle through cheap contracts, improving the depth of the lineup.
But when people call the East an open pattern—the argument will certainly be endless in the coming months—is a subtext of lack of confidence in the Knights. This is not unreasonable. The Cavaliers have been underperforming in the playoffs for two consecutive seasons (although both times were affected by injury factors), and their core roster has remained largely the same.
This is reflected in our predictions. The Knights topped the list, but this is more of a default result than a popular outcome.
In fact, in general, people simply do not have much confidence in the relative strength of the East. It is expected that only three Eastern teams will win more than 47 games. This feels unlikely, as five teams last season surpassed that standard of winnings, not to mention that the top teams in the East would have the easiest schedule.
But the Cavaliers, the Knicks and the Magic all have their own flaws and weaknesses. For teams like the Magic, after actively introducing Desmond Bain, there is definitely a chance to catch up with top teams. The same is true for the Eagles, who were equally active in bringing in Christapus Porzingis from the Celtics and Nikil Alexander Walker. The panel believes both teams will make a difference in the East, but not enough to surpass the top teams.
Playoff Edge
Bucks: 46 wins 36 losses
Celtics: 43 wins 39 losses
76ers: 40 wins 42 losses
Heat: 39 wins 43 losses
Pacers: 39 wins 43 losses
If the pattern in the Eastern Conference has changed this season, it is largely due to the injury and departure of the team. Three Achilles tendon tear in the playoffs last season greatly changed the trajectory of the following teams: the Bucks, who parted ways with Damian Lillard after a first-round Achilles tendon tear; the Celtics, who disbanded the championship core lineup after the same injury in the second round of Tatum; and the Pacers, whose bright future was temporarily stranded due to Halliburton's rippled Achilles tendon during the NBA Finals. That's why all three teams that have won the division title recently are predicted to be in the mid-range position to avoid playing games. The Heat won the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago, but it is unclear whether they can surpass expectations again after trading Jimmy Butler.
Considering the uncertainty of Joel Embiid's health, the Sixers are probably the hardest team in this division to predict. The teams in this echelon are entering the new season with huge questions, which puts them under the top teams in this division.
Five in the last quarter
Bulls: 36 wins, 46 losses
Raptors: 33 wins, 49 losses
Hornets: 26 wins, 56 losses
Nets: 23 wins, 59 losses
Wizards: 20 wins, 62 losses
After falling to the end of the Eastern Conference standings, these five teams can be divided into three categories.
First, it is the team that has the potential to rush into the playoffs: the Raptors. The Raptors did not trade Brandon Ingram last spring, but instead gave him a $100 million early contract renewal. Teams paying luxury taxes will not expect themselves to be predicted to be at the end of the standings. If the Raptors miss the playoffs, it would be a huge disappointment.
Next are two teams at the intersection: the Bulls and the Hornets. Both teams have talented players who are approaching their peak (Josh Gidey and Kobe White of the Bulls, Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller of the Hornets), some potential long-term building cornerstones (Matisse Boozeris and Noah Essange, Tijani Saron and Conkniper), and their rosters may end up fighting for play-off spots and for the top spots in the lottery zone.
Then there are the Nets and the Wizards, and their situation is no surprise. The two teams will hope to win the top four picks in the 2026 NBA draft, as the draft is expected to bring together a group of talented rookies. This season, they will use young players heavily, trade in exchange for future assets, and focus on fighting for a better result in the lottery draw next May.
Author: NBA insiders
Translator: GWayNe
source:7m vn sport