The 2022-23 Eastern Conference is a exciting battleground. Long seen as weaker than the West; the East is now vibrant and competitive. Join us as we take a look at all 15 teams in the 2022-23 Eastern Conference.
The Atlanta Hawks
Projected Starting Line Up
Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, DeAndre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capella
Sixth Man – Bogdan Bogdanovic
What a team this is! Adding Murray into the squad has only improved it. He and Young will be a tough guard for any team, they are an All-Star calibre back court partnership. Collins and Capella are a strong front court pairing. Throw in the scoring threat of Bogdanovic and it is easy to see that coach Nate McMillan could take this team far.
Last Season Stats
Record: 43-39, Finished 9th, Lost NBA Eastern Conference First Round (1-4) versus Miami Heat.
Pace: 20th of 30, Off Rtg: 2nd of 30, Def Rtg: 26th of 30
Prediction
A solid bet for the playoffs, potentially able to reach the 5th seed.
The Boston Celtics
Projected Starting Line Up
Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams III
Sixth Man – Malcolm Brogdon
As the Eastern Conference Champs this team will be hard to beat again. Perhaps Brogdon or Grant Williams could start ahead of the veteran Horford, but this was the team they finished the last season with. The short term injury to Robert Williams III is a blow and will see him miss the season start. However including him they return with eight top players from their playoff rotation and added the ball-handling of Malcolm Brogdon. All contribute on both ends of the floor.
There could be some fallout from the coaching change following the Ime Udoku situation. However they are an experienced, hard nosed, talented team and almost all the right side of 30.
Last Season Stats
Record: 51-31, Finished 2nd
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
First Round – Won (4-0) versus Brooklyn Nets
Semifinals – Won (4-3) versus Milwaukee Bucks
Eastern Conference Finals – Won (4-3) versus Miami Heat
Lost NBA Finals (2-4) versus Golden State Warriors
Pace: 24th of 30, Off Rtg: 7th of 30, Def Rtg: 2nd of 30
Prediction
The post season awaits as a top 3 seed in the East.
The Brooklyn Nets
Projected Starting Line Up
Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Kevin Durant, Nic Claxton
Sixth Man – Joe Harris
After a summer of some issue the Nets kept hold of Durant and Irving. They definitely have elite playmaking and shooting, together they guarantee competitiveness. There are questions as to do they have enough to carry them through. The bench has strength with Harris (or Curry) being joined by Patty Mills, Markieff Morris and TJ Warren, amongst others.
Last Season Stats
Record: 44-38, Finished 7th
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
Won Play-In Game over Cleveland Cavaliers
Lost First Round Eastern Conference Playoffs (0-4) versus Boston Celtics
Pace: 24th of 30, Off Rtg: 7th of 30, Def Rtg: 2nd of 30
Prediction
They will certainly win a lot of games and could easily finish in the top 3 or drop to 6th. That being said if they both stay fit and the mix works the Nets will be dangerous to any team in the post season.
The Charlotte Hornets
Projected Starting Line Up
LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee
Sixth Man – Kelly Oubre Jr
Before we go on; yes we are aware LaMelo Ball is questionable for the season start. However as this is looking to the season and not necessarily opening night he has been included. The Hornets will miss Ball in the early part of the season but as soon as he is available he will be back as the starter. Missing for the season and a real hole to fill is Miles Bridges.
Last Season Stats
Record: 43-39, Finished 10th, Lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in game.
Pace: 6th of 30, Off Rtg: 9th of 30, Def Rtg: 23rd of 30
Prediction
Charlotte have a strong team and can play offence but with the loss of Bridges it could easily have a detrimental affect on their season. It is not unreasonable to see the Hornets as a team sitting around the play-in tournament positions or heading straight to the lottery.
The Chicago Bulls
Projected Starting Line Up
Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Sixth Man – Ayo Dosunmu
With Lonzo Ball requiring a second knee surgery the Bulls have disruption at the starting point guard position. Caruso is an able replacement. The moves made last season saw the pieces fit and the Bulls return to the playoffs. However without Ball their form slipped hugely.
Last Season Stats
Record: 46-36, Finished 6th
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
Lost First Round (1-4) versus Milwaukee Bucks
Pace: 15th of 30, Off Rtg: 13th of 30, Def Rtg: 22nd of 30
Prediction
Sitting somewhere 6 to 10 come the regular season close.
The Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Starting Line Up
Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Sixth Man – Caris LeVert
Having made arguably the biggest move of the summer by acquiring Mitchell the Cavs are looking to the post season. That starting five is quality, the bench has depth. However Mitchell is known to go missing on defence so the Cavs will have to address that, most likely with Mobley and Allen.
Last Season Stats
Record: 44-38, Finished 8th
Lost in NBA Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament versus the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks.
Pace – 26th of 30 Off Rtg – 20th of 30 Def Rtg – 7th of 30
Prediction
They will be aiming for a top 4 finish but in such a strong Eastern Conference they may have to settle for top 6.
The Detroit Pistons
Projected Starting Line Up
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Marvin Bagley III, Isaiah Stewart
Sixth Man – Jalen Duren
Bursting with young talent the Pistons could surprise a few teams this year. Bojan Bogdanović, Alec Burks and Cory Joseph all bring veteran experience to this young squad. Detroit are in that same position as Orlando, namely the rebuild needs to see progress in the win’s column.
Last Season Stats
Record: 23-59, Finished 14th
Pace – 14th of 30 Off Rtg – 28th of 30 Def Rtg – 24th of 30
Prediction
Another season lottery bound but could flirt with the 10th spot.
The Indiana Pacers
Projected Starting Line Up
Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Smith, Myles Turner
Sixth Man – TJ McConnell
The Pacers are a team in rebuild but do have some talented options. With so many new players coach Rick Carlisle has a big job ahead. Questions do remain as to if Hield and Turner remain on the team.
Last Season Stats
Record: 25-57, Finished 13th
Pace – 17th of 30 Off Rtg – 16th of 30 Def Rtg – 28th of 30
Prediction
Lottery bound.
The Miami Heat
Projected Starting Line Up
Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo
Sixth Man – Tyler Herro
Last season saw the Heat return to the top of the East. They have retained that core that is full of leadership, defensive ability and are coached as well as any team in the NBA. Caleb Martin (if not starting over Jovic), Victor Oladipo and Max Strus bring strength from the bench with Herro. It will be a surprise if there is any drop from last season.
Last Season Stats
Record: 53-29, Finished 1st
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
First Round won (4-1) versus Atlanta Hawks
Won Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-2) versus Philadelphia 76ers
Lost NBA Eastern Conference Finals (3-4) versus Boston Celtics
Pace – 28th of 30 Off Rtg – 10th of 30 Def Rtg – 5th of 30
Prediction
A top three finish awaits.
The Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Starting Line Up
Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Sixth Man – Bobby Portis
One look at that starting unit tells you that the Bucks will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2022-23 Eastern Conference. Then throw in the bench of Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Joe Ingles, Wesley Matthews and Bobby Portis from the bench. This is a squad that has experience, talent and depth at every position.
Last Season Stats
Record: 51-31, Finished 3rd
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
Won NBA Eastern Conference First Round (4-1) versus Chicago Bulls
Lost NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (3-4) versus Boston Celtics
Pace – 7th of 30 Off Rtg – 3rd of 30 Def Rtg – 14th of 30
Prediction
Anything but a top two finish could be seen as a failure for the Bucks in the 2022-23 Eastern Conference.
The New York Knicks
Projected Starting Unit
Jalen Brunson, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Sixth Man – Immanuel Quickley
The Knicks brought in two strong signings during the summer in Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein. Those two moves saw the bench also upgraded. Quentin Grimes, Isaiah Hartenstein, Immanuel Quickley, Derrick Rose and Obi Toppin is a strong five. In previous seasons that unit could have been considered to be of a greater threat, however questions remain about consistency, efficiency and health.
Last Season Stats
Record: 37-45, Finished 11th
Pace – 29th of 30 Off Rtg – 22nd of 30 Def Rtg – 11th of 30
Prediction
This unit should be good enough to go one better than last year and reach the play-in phase.
The Orlando Magic
Projected Starting Unit
Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr
Sixth Man – Mo Bamba
Once fit Markelle Fultz has to start and with the preseason form showed Cole Anthony should join him. The front court of Wagner, Banchero and Carter is looking to have the makings of something special. With that improved depth the Magic have a better second unit than in recent seasons. However the team have to remain healthy and make a huge leap forward on the offensive rating and win column if they are to prove critics wrong.
Record: 22-60, Finished 15th in NBA Eastern Conference.
Pace – 10th of 30 Off Rtg – 30th of 30 Def Rtg – 17th of 30
Prediction
A team capable of flirting with the play-in tournament but potentially heading to the lottery.
The Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Starting Unit
James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, Joel Embiid
Sixth Man – Montrezl Harrell
The Sixers went a long way to addressing the needs they had this summer and are now deep, genuinely having 12 strong guys. Embiid has to stay fit for them to be challenging in the post season. They will rack up wins and score a ton of points.
Last Season Stats
Record: 51-31, Finished 4th
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
Won NBA Eastern Conference First Round (4-2) versus Toronto Raptors
Lost NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (2-4) versus Miami Heat
Pace – 10th of 30 Off Rtg – 30th of 30 Def Rtg – 17th of 30
Prediction
Anything outside the top 4 would be a surprise for a team with such quality and depth. The 2022-23 Eastern Conference could see them close the regular season at the summit of the league.
The Toronto Raptors
Projected Starting Unit
Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam
Sixth Man – Precious Achiuwa
Toronto have a starting 5 capable of mixing it with the best. The bench has depth. The Raptors defence is reliable, ranking in the top 10 in four of the last five seasons. If they shoot with better efficiency they can compete as last season they still scored points by the bucket load.
Last Season Stats
Record: 48-34, Finished 5th
NBA 2022 Playoffs:
Lost NBA Eastern Conference First Round (2-4) versus Philadelphia 76ers
Pace – 27th of 30 Off Rtg – 14th of 30 Def Rtg – 10th of 30
Prediction
Playoff bound, potentially via the play-in from the from the 7th seed spot.
The Washington Wizards
Projected Starting Unit
Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Will Barton, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis
Sixth Man- Deni Avdija
On paper the Wizards have a good squad, but somehow it continues to fail to deliver. Both Beal and Porzingis have to be fit and deliver results. The defence has to be better or the Wizards will have another long hard season ahead. Picking up Monte Morris will relive some of the ball handling pressures that Beal has shouldered.
Last Season Stats
Record: 35-47, Finished 12th
Pace – 23rd of 30 Off Rtg – 21st of 30 Def Rtg – 25th of 30
Prediction
Lottery bound again.
And Finally Ahead Of The 2022-23 Eastern Conference Beginning
The 2022-23 Eastern Conference is in a strong and healthy place. Whilst there are some apparent tiers within the 2022-23 Eastern Conference one can argue that there are teams capable of sliding from the heights (i.e. Boston and Miami), whilst others could surprise (such as Orlando and Detroit).
The latest episode of our podcast Penny For Your Thoughts is a preview of the 2022-23 Eastern Conference (coming on Sunday 16th). Be sure to check it out and hit subscribe!
