Eastern Conference Playoff Prediction for the 2018-2019 NBA Season

These are the top 8 teams in the East. Looking at the possible playoff picture for the Eastern Conference. Celtics are easily the front-runner, but are the any teams that could pose a challenge? Here is the rankings before the 2018-2019 season.

1. Celtics

If the Celtics are healthy, they are easily the number one team in the east. They made it to the eastern conference finals last year with just their young talent and smart coaching alone. Now this team will have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward added to the young group of stars. If the young stars develop and Irving and Hayward stay healthy, they could give the Warriors a tough finals series.

2. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors had a good run last season... Until LeBron showed up. Kawhi is a great player to add, and if he can stay healthy, the raptors will be a solid team. They lost Demar Derozan from the trade and even though Kawhi is better, it's not by much. They'll be a strong team in the East, probably better then last year, but there now miles behind the Celtics.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers had a hot streak last season towards the end. People were saying that they were going to go the finals, but instead lost to the Celtics in 5 games. Last season was a fluke. They had a little hot run and that was it. They do have a bunch of young talent in Simmons, Embiid, and Fultz that should develop. They'll be a good contender in the East.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks started last season with head coach Jason Kidd. It was Kidd's second year coaching an NBA team and his experience lacked. The Bucks were more talented than their record and that has to have something to do with the coaching staff. With Mike Budenholzer coming in, who actually has coaching experience under his belt, the Bucks should look a lot better this year. Giannis should continue his insane development and with the new addition of Donte DiVincenzo, the team should be more talented the last season. The Bucks will be a dangerous team in the East.

5. Indiana Pacers

Victor Oladipo looked incredible last season. He took over a team that didn't have too high of hopes and almost beat LeBron in the playoffs. They are a solid young team with Oladipo and Turner. This team flows really well, and that's why they could have a chance to be in the ECF at the end of the year. Look for the Pacers to surprise people just like last season.

6. New York Knicks

The Knicks were a top 5 team in the East last season with Kristaps... Then he got hurt and they were one of the worst teams in the league. With that being said, that allowed them to grab Kevin Knox in the draft. He's looked like a steal so far in the summer league games. Look to the Knicks to have a comeback season and look for Kevin Knox to turn some heads.

7. Washington Wizards

The Wizards had a messy year. It looks like they're going to be pretty much the same team as last season, as well. If the Wizards clean up their personal egos and play as a team, they can be a very good team in the East. John Wall and Bradley Beal are great players, but they had a really disappointing season last year and not much has changed. If they clean things up, they'll finish better then 7th in the East, but for now this is most likely.

8. Miami Heat

The Heat seem to always stick around the playoff picture, so it was hard to argue them out of the top 8 for the 2018-2019 season. They still have a solid team with Whiteside and Dragic as veteran leaders with their young talent. They'll stick around and squeeze into the playoffs this year, just like last year.