We continue our predictions ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, this time predicting wins and losses for the Eastern Conference teams.
After a myriad of off-season moves that brought in superstars like Mikal Bridges across the Brooklyn Bridge to the New York Knicks and Paul George For the Philadelphia 76ers, the battle for the top spot in the East is as competitive as it has been in years.
The Milwaukee Bucks, after another early exit from the postseason, will rely on continuity, with the superstar duo Giannis Antetokounmpo y Damian Lillard and head coach Doc Rivers back for a second season together.
The Bucks had another early exit from the NBA playoffs last season, but will look to bounce back with superstar duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Will Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers make another surprising run in the postseason? Which struggling team will find its footing? And who can compete with a potential budding Boston Celtics dynasty?
Our panel of experts offers their predictions for wins and losses for all 15 Eastern Conference teams.
Note: Our 2024-25 NBA Summer Forecast series continues on Wednesday with Western Conference standings predictions. On Tuesday, we reveal our picks for which players will win the league’s top awards, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and more.
Eastern Conference Standings
The Boston Celtics returned most of their core players after winning the franchise’s 18th title, making them the winningest franchise in the NBA. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The contenders
1. Boston Celtics: 61-21
2. New York Knicks: 53-29
3. Philadelphia 76ers: 52-30
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: 50-32
5. Milwaukee Bucks: 49-33
6. Orlando Magic: 47-35
The Celtics sit atop our Eastern Conference projections for the third straight year, and for good reason. They went on a dominant run in the East last season, going 64-18 in the regular season and losing just three games in the postseason to capture the franchise’s 18th championship, ending a 16-year title drought and making Boston the winningest franchise in NBA history.
The Celtics get their elite core back after extending the contracts of Jayson Tatum y Derrick Whiteand will rely on the MVP of the 2024 Finals, Jaylen Brownas his defensive anchor. The healthy return of Kristaps Porzingiswho will be out for much of the early season with a leg injury, will play a major factor in their success after the big man put in an imposing performance in his first season in Boston.
The Knicks and 76ers are neck and neck in our predictive rankings, at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, with a budding tri-state rivalry after a thrilling six-game first-round series last season. The “Nova Knicks” will reunite behind standout point guard Jalen Brunson and the recently renovated AND Anunobywhile the 76ers hope their superstar trio of Paul George, Joel Embiid y Tyrese Maxey can lead Philadelphia to the Finals.
After much speculation about the possible dissolution of the Cavaliers defense formed by Darius Garland y Donovan Mitchellreturn with a solid starting five that includes the twin towers Jarrett Allen y Evan Mobley.
The Indiana Pacers, after barely snagging a playoff spot and finishing sixth, made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals last season. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The play-in group
7. Indiana Pacers: 46-36
8. Miami Heat: 45-37
9. Atlanta Hawks: 31-51
10. Chicago Bulls: 30-52
The Pacers finished sixth in the standings last season with a 47-35 record, but made a surprising run to the conference finals and are expected to remain in playoff contention. Led by Tyrese Haliburton y Pascal SiakamIndiana led the league last season in points per game (123.3) and trailed only the Celtics in offensive efficiency. The Heat, eliminated by the Celtics in the first round last season after reaching the NBA Finals the year before, are projected to finish eighth in the standings, a familiar spot for Jimmy Butler and company after finishing there two years in a row.
The Hawks had a busy summer — they got rid of the shooting guard Dejounte Murray through exchange and recruited Zaccharie Risacher at No. 1 — but are seeking a fourth straight play-in appearance, according to our panel. The Bulls, without DeMar DeRozanface a similar situation as they hope to avoid a third straight year in the play-in bracket.
The Toronto Raptors finished 12th in the East last season, but will look to move up the standings behind fourth-year forward Scottie Barnes. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
The basement quintet
11. Toronto Raptors: 26-56
12. Charlotte Hornets: 21-61
13. Brooklyn Nets: 22-60
14. Detroit Pistons: 20-62
15. Washington Wizards: 17-65
The Raptors, after trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, are looking to advance into the play-in bracket this season behind RJ Barrett y Scottie BarnesBarnes made his first All-Star appearance last season and averaged 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
The Hornets, after finishing 13th in the East last season, don’t project much higher this season, despite the healthy return of point guard LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges y Brandon Millerin its second year.
And after trading superstar Mikal Bridges to the neighboring rival Knicks for a stack of future draft picks and other assets, the Nets thankfully now have one direction to go: deep into the East. With 16 first-round picks available through 2031, including four selections in the star-studded 2025 NBA draft, it’s clear the Nets are fully prepared for a rebuild.
Last season, the Pistons set the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history at 27 games and finished last in the East with a 14-68 record. To climb any higher, they will need, at a minimum, Cade Cunningham repeat the best season of his career, which he had in 2023-24, when he averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists per game and shot 86.9% from the free throw line.
Then there are the poor Wizards. After fighting tooth and nail to avoid falling into the NBA basement, Washington managed to overtake Detroit with its 15th win on April 12. The Wizards finally have a direction, too, and they drafted Alex Sarr second in June, but the French rookie will need to adjust to a lot of losses before the organization settles on a new core.
