2024 NBA Jap Convention Predictions: Boston Celtics No. 1 Seed, Detroit Pistons Make Noise

Celtics trainer Joe Mazzulla isn’t operating from an Jap Convention palms race that started in a while after Boston secured its 18th identify in franchise historical past again in June. 

“Individuals are gonna say the objective’s on our again, however I am hoping it’s proper on our brow in between our eyes,” Mazzulla mentioned at the “Locked on Celtics” podcast. “I am hoping I will be able to see the pink dot.” 

Mazzulla is most likely going to get his want, obtrusive through groups like Philadelphia and New York loading up over the offseason. The 76ers introduced in Paul George to position along Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, whilst rookies Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities have given the Knicks a beginning 5 to be feared.

Throw in the truth that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can have the Milwaukee Dollars in rivalry, the Orlando Magic are a group on the upward push, and the Miami Warmth at all times appear to play their highest basketball when it issues maximum, and it’s really easy to look that the Jap Convention could be very a lot up for grabs. 

Listed below are 3 issues lets see going down in a aggressive East:

Boston Celtics lock up No. 1 seed (once more)

That beginning 5 of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Bridges and Cities out in New York has everyone speaking, however don’t get it twisted: Boston nonetheless has the deeper group.

Large guy Kristaps Porzingis might be at the shelf till no less than December as a result of offseason ankle surgical treatment, however the Celtics nonetheless have greater than sufficient guns to carry them over in the intervening time.

Boston is largely bringing again the similar actual group that went 64-18 a season in the past, and it quietly added Lonnie Walker IV (shot 38.4 p.c from 3-point vary in 2023-24) to a bench that already featured Sam Hauser (42.4 p.c) and Payton Pritchard (38.5 p.c). 

Orlando Magic thieve a top-four seed

On paper, it’s having a look just like the Celtics, Knicks, Dollars and Sixers are shoo-ins for the highest 4 spots within the convention.

However don’t sleep on Orlando.

The Magic just about were given there closing season, touchdown within the playoffs because the No. 5 seed, they usually completed only one sport at the back of the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers within the standings. He would possibly best be 21, however Paolo Banchero is able to take this Orlando group to new heights.

So, who slides? We’ll move with Philadelphia, which is able to most likely by no means have Embiid for the second one leg of a back-to-back ever once more. Oh, and George might already be catching the harm malicious program, hyperextending his knee all through a preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday evening.

Detroit Pistons sneak into play-in match

Yep. You learn that proper.

All this younger ability has to click on in the future, doesn’t it? Detroit was once an NBA worst 14-68 closing season, but it surely appears like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren can’t stay getting held down for for much longer. Veteran Tobias Harris is again with the Pistons now, too.

We nonetheless don’t know sufficient about ahead Ausar Thompson, the 5th general pick out within the 2023 draft. He appeared promising in his 63 video games (38 begins), however a blood clot lower his rookie season quick.

Having J.B. Bickerstaff on the helm must additionally in point of fact assist Detroit because it tries to achieve the postseason for the primary time since 2018-19.

Reliable Jap Convention standings prediction:

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Milwaukee Dollars
4. Orlando Magic
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. Miami Warmth
8. Indiana Pacers
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Atlanta Hawks
13. Washington Wizards
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Brooklyn Nets