Way too early predictions for every NBA playoff team in 2023-24

Predicting the top-4 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs had a great regular season last year and have only gotten better this off-season. They added much-needed shooting with the signings of Max Strus and Georges Niang and should see improvement from their young core. This should allow them to maintain their spot as the fourth seed in an improved Eastern Conference.

3. Miami Heat

While a deal has obviously not materialized yet, Miami is considered the favorite to acquire Damian Lillard. Assuming that happens, I expect the Heat to finish 3rd in the Eastern Conference, with enough talent to finish above that but their focus being more towards the postseason, judging off their approach to last year.

2. Boston Celtics

Another team that consistently finishes as a top seed in the conference, the Celtics should maintain their status as a great regular season team. They lost two important players Marcus Smart and Grant Williams this summer, but still added an elite third option in Kristaps Porzingis to complement all-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

1. Milwaukee Bucks

While Head Coach Mike Budenholzer was fired after Milwaukee’s first-round exit last season, the Bucks still brought back the core pieces that have led them to a top-three seed in the conference three years in a row. Whether or not Milwaukee is still viewed as a threat in the playoffs, there’s no denying that they’re a great regular-season team.