'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Eastern Conference hasn't been the same ever since 'Bron left for LA. However, what we have on our hands in the East is nothing short of a pleasant uprising of worthy talent. Teams have grabbed the opportunity of having a realistic shot at playing in the NBA Finals.
With the 2018-19 regular season done and dusted, we have a clear picture of the East's first-round matchups to tip off the postseason. The Milwaukee Bucks face the Detroit Pistons, Toronto is set to face off against Orlando, the Sixers collide with the Nets and Kyrie's Celtics are slated to play the Pacers in a seven-game series to get that much closer to the gold.
The Eastern Conference standings haven't precisely held true when it comes to playoff basketball. Teams have often broken out of their shells and punched above their weight in order to effect major upsets against teams placed higher than them on the leaderboard.
But for bragging rights' sake, the Bucks are our leaders from the East this season as they look to make it count under the Greek Freak's leadership.
Let's take a look at the four first-round matchups from the Eastern Conference and predict their outcomes using our knowledge of the regular season.
#1 Milwaukee Bucks(1) vs Detroit Pistons(8)
Season Series: The Bucks swept the Pistons 4-0, winning by an average point differential of over 14.
The first two games are scheduled to be played in Milwaukee and according to popular opinion, the Bucks should be up 2-0 before they head to Detroit for the next two. Led by an MVP contender in Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks have really been a force all year long.
Most of Detroit's basketball revolves around Griffin and Drummond whereas Milwaukee have been efficient and effective without putting too much pressure on their main man, Antetokounmpo.
Prediction: This should be an easy one for Giannis and Co. as they will probably sweep their opponents with no real resistance in 4 games.
#2 Toronto Raptors(2) vs Orlando Magic(7)
Season Series: Both the teams won 2 games each with only one game being a close encounter (where Raps won 93-91).
The Raptors finished this regular season just one win short of what they achieved last year. With this new-age Toronto team led by the Claw all set for the playoffs, everyone including the Raptors front-office is holding their breath to see how they perform when it matters the most.
LeBron and the postseason have proven to be the Achilles heel for the Raptors in the past. Luckily, they have to focus on only one of those roadblocks now. Stacking up against the Magic, Toronto clearly have a headstart in terms of talent and playoff experience, but their inconsistency in the recent past does raise some considerable doubt.
Prediction: The Toronto Raptors may falter on the road, however, they should be expected to eliminate Orlando in six games, if not earlier.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers(3) vs Brooklyn Nets(6)
Season Series: The Sixers and Nets are evenly matched (2-2) through the course of four regular season games played against each other.
With the Sixers' big man Joel Embiid listed as day-to-day - and the latest update listing him as doubtful for Game 1 against the Nets - because of his knee issues, the status quo of the Nets-Sixers series just got a bit more interesting. Philadelphia is clearly a better team when JoJo is on the court, however, they tend to play quite inefficient basketball when he's sidelined.
On the other hand, the Nets have nothing to lose. They will lay everything out on the floor and hope the balance tips in their favor. D'Angelo Russell and his team have seen a jump by six spots on the East leaderboard over the course of just one year.
They are on a rising curve with momentum on their side, whereas an Embiid-less Sixers side have turned out to be a pain to watch in the recent past.
Prediction: If Embiid returns in time, the Sixers may get rid of Brooklyn early, otherwise this one might go down to the wire, with Philly just about edging past the Nets.
#4 Boston Celtics(4) vs Indiana Pacers(5)
Season Series: The Celtics are 3-1 in regular season matchups against Indiana this year, winning by an average point differential of over 16.
One of the biggest blows to the Celtics roster came when Marcus Smart suffered a torn oblique, which will keep him out of the first two rounds of the playoffs at least. The Pacers, meanwhile, will be without their leading scorer Victor Oladipo who's expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
The Celtics' depth is simply astounding though - as was demonstrated last season. Moreover, we all know Kyrie will not go down without a fight, with this being the apt time for him to justify his decision to desert LeBron and join Boston.
Prediction: Boston will eliminate the Oladipo-less Pacers in a maximum of 5 games, if not earlier.
Guess the Lakers players!
