Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions For 2016-17 Season

By James D. Tillman III

May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound away from Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3), center Bismack Biyombo (8) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound away from Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3), center Bismack Biyombo (8) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 9
Next

Several players will be suiting up for different teams next season. Will those changes be enough to overturn the balance in the Eastern Conference? Here is a look at the teams who will be in the playoff race in 2016-17.

May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound away from Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3), center Bismack Biyombo (8) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound away from Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3), center Bismack Biyombo (8) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, were the toast of the Eastern Conference for the second straight season.

After posting a 12-2 mark on their way to the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers squared off against the defending champion Golden State Warriors, a squad that won 73 games during the regular season.

The Warriors took three of the first four games and appeared to be in complete control of the series. However, after do-it-all forward Draymond Green was suspended in Game 5, along with injuries to Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala, the Cavaliers became the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a finals series en route to winning the city’s first championship in 52 years.

With several teams making notable changes to their rosters, the conference playoff picture will look a bit different compared to what we saw last season. So without further delay, here is a look at the teams who will make the cut in 2016-17.

Next: No. 8