Stock up, Stock Down: Eastern Conference

Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) prepares to shoot the ball past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) prepares to shoot the ball past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Playoff Picture

  1. Cleveland
  2. Boston
  3. Indiana
  4. Toronto
  5. Chicago
  6. Detroit
  7. Orlando
  8. Atlanta
  9. New York
  10. Milwaukee
  11. Washington
  12. Miami
  13. Charlotte
  14. Philadelphia
  15. Brooklyn

The top four teams in the East are pretty much a lock. The order might change slightly but those teams will definitely occupy those top four seeds. The bottom four is where things get a little tricky.

Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando have all had major pieces added that have not been tested on the court together. Assuming all teams are healthy the entire year, teams like New York and Washington might be able to steal a playoff spot from one of these teams. But, I do not think that will happen.

Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler are too talented to keep out of the Playoffs. While Dwight Howard is not the Superman of old, but he can still be a presence in the paint. He will look to prove that.

Orlando is the easiest team to take out of this playoff picture at the moment. The versatility that they have and the pieces added sound good in theory, but will it actually work the way they think?

Milwaukee is a wild card. A lineup of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker, rookie Thon Maker and Greg Monroe could do some damage if used properly. If any team sneaks in, this would be the one.

The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be another down-to-the-wire finish for the last few playoffs spots. Every game will be important.

Next: Orlando Magic Offseason: An Identity Created

The top of the conference will look to build on last season’s success while the bottom half tries to figure out how their parts work together. For now, this is what we should expect come playoff time.