NBA 2018/19: Easing Into The Final Playoff Spots In the East Conference

Over the years, most NBA fans would agree that the Eastern Conference has been more of an easier conference than the Western Conference when it comes to making the playoffs.

Once LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this past summer, the clear front-winner in the Eastern Conference has been up for debate. Rather fighting for a playoff spot or the perfect seeding, all games played within the next month will be extremely important.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics are already considered a “shoe-in” for the playoffs.

They currently hold the top five spots in the East. Currently, the Bucks and Raptors are the only two NBA teams that have clinched a playoff berth. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have already been eliminated.

The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks will more than likely be the next teams eliminated. This leaves six other teams in the hunt for the remaining three slots.

Let's take a look at the three teams that are most likely to make the NBA Playoffs and the one that is most likely to lose their current playoff spot and be eliminated.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are in a great position of making the playoffs. They currently hold the sixth position and are on a winning streak. It appears as if the team is finally finding their stride in their first full season with Blake Griffin and head coach, Dwane Casey.

The team started off strong before experiencing a handful of loses that questioned their possibilities of making the playoffs. While it is known that Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond are the leaders of this team, players such as Luke Kennard, Ish Smith, and Langston Galloway shows development from the bench.

With the remaining games, the Pistons will play against Portland and Indiana twice and also face Golden State, Oklahoma, Toronto, Denver and the Lakers once.

They'll also have one game each against East teams that are still fighting for a spot in Brooklyn, Miami, Orlando and Charlotte.

Playoff chances: Yes. If the motivation and drive continues, it is fair to say that the Pistons can win at least ten of their remaining games and make the playoffs as the 6th seed.

Brooklyn Nets

One of the most talked about teams of the East, the Nets have made their way into playoff contention. They were even able to keep winning on the rise after Caris LeVert was sidelined for months with a foot injury.

The improving play of D'Angelo Russell, Jared Allen and Spencer Dinwiddle have helped boost the team's energy and set a tone for wanting to win.

From their first game in January to the last game before the All-Star break, the Nets finished with a 13-7 record. Since then, the Nets have taken a skid, and it does not look to get any easier with their remaining schedule.

They have a six-game West coast trip remaining. Except for the Lakers, all Western Conference teams are set to make the playoffs. Afterwards, the team will face the Bucks twice and the Celtics, Pacers, Sixers, Raptors and Heat.

Playoffs chances: No. By far, of all the teams in the hunt, the Nets have the toughest schedule and their playoff push will more than likely come to an end after their West coast trip. They will be eliminated.

Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat have shown that they still have some gas left in the tank. They are holding at the 8th seed thus far, and look to maintain that position when looking at their upcoming schedule.

Having the offense is not an issue for this team. Hassan Whiteside is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds, and six other players are averaging double digits with points. They'll have to pick up the slack on the defensive end if they really want to remain in a playoff spot.

Their upcoming schedule is not the easiest, yet it's not as hard as the Nets. They'll play the Raptors and Bucks twice, the Celtics in a back-to-back, and will also face the Pistons, Thunder, Spurs and Sixers one game each.

The Heat also plays better on the road. Luckily, most of their remaining games are on the road.

Playoffs chances: Yes. The Dwyane Wade Farewell Tour will be extended into the first round of the playoffs.

With the Nets having the toughest schedule, they will fall out of the bottom three and Miami will enter. They also have a favorable schedule with only four games against Western Conference opponents.

Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic is the big man in the middle that has to lead the way for this team

The Orlando Magic has been the quietest team to sneak into a favorable chance of making the playoffs.

During pre-season discussions, it's highly unlike that anyone would've picked the Magic to make the playoffs. While they are currently on the outside looking in, they have the easiest schedule remaining of those teams in the hunt.

Nikola Vucevic is the big man in the middle that has to lead the way for this team. Terrance Ross, Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, and D.J Augustin have also shined in their roles as well.

Another team with a better road record, the majority of their remaining games are also played on the role.

Of those remaining, the Magic will only face five teams that are above .500, and neither team is from the Western Conference. In fact, they will only face two teams out West: Memphis and New Orleans.

Playoffs chances: Yes. Their remaining schedule and current standings say it all. Even if they were to drop their five games against those playoff-bound teams, the Magic can still finish the season at 41-41, which would land them in either the 7th or 8th seed.