With less than a week left to the start of the NBA Season, I felt like it was a good time to breakdown the Eastern Conference.
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Last Year’s Divisional Winners
Atlantic Division — Boston Celtics
After winning another Atlantic Division Title, the Boston Celtics will return a squad that looks completely different than it did a year ago. The Celtics are no longer the powerhouse we’ve come to know over the last few years, this year they’ll need to prove it.
Central Division — Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers not only won the Central Division last year, but finished the year with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second best record in the NBA. The question is no longer about if the Cavaliers can win the division, it’s now can the Cavaliers make it out of the second round?
Southeast Division — Miami Heat
Jimmy’s gone, the division looks completely different and it’s beginning to look like the Heat could struggle in the Southeast this year. This division hasn’t been the most competitive over the last few seasons but with a healthy Magic team and revamped Hawks, that’s about to change.
2025/2026 NBA Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division
Atlantic Division Odds | BetOnline
- New York Knicks (-300)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+500)
- Boston Celtics (+800)
- Toronto Raptors (+1200)
- Brooklyn Nets (+30000)
Who Got Better?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the Boston Celtics are going to be significantly worse this year. Aside from Jayson Tatum informing the team he intends to play this year, there’s not a whole lot of good news coming out of the offseason for Celtics’ fans. Al Horford’s now in Golden State, Kristaps Porziņģis is in Atlanta and Jrue Holiday’s across the country in Portland. The championship team’s been mostly dismantled and the Eastern Conference is wide open.
The Knicks didn’t make a ton of changes this year, to the roster at least. Mike Brown will takeover as the team’s new Head Coach, as he looks to build on the team’s Eastern Conference Finals trip last year.
The Sixers most significant changes came via the draft. Philadelphia drafted VJ Edgecombe with the third overall pick and snagged Johni Broome at the top of the second round. Philly’s success is dependent on the health of Joel Embiid and until we’ve got a clearer picture of that, it’s hard for me think they’ll be competitive this year.
Lastly, the Raptors bring in a completely revamped roster. The team brings back Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, but will add Brandon Ingram to the team’s starting lineup. The new look Raptors have yet to play a single game together but the potential can’t be understated.
Who’s Winning the Division?
The Knicks are coming off a season in which they won 51 games, finished second in the division and took a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite all the team’s success last year, New York felt it was time for a change on the sidelines and fired Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. Now with Mike Brown on the sideline and two All-Stars on the court, it’s easy to see why they’re favored to win the Atlantic.
Call me a homer, call me whatever; the value on Boston at 8-1 is where I put my money. Boston’s either going to be in the lottery this year or in the top four of the Eastern Conference; there is no in between. The roster looks completely different but with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard still on this team, Boston will compete.
For the first time in his career, Jaylen Brown will be the unencumbered #1 scoring option for the Celtics. Since Tatum entered the league, Brown’s only played 39 career games without JT. In these 39 games, he’s averaging 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He’s shooting 51% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. I’m all in on Jaylen #1 option basketball.
2025/2026 NBA Eastern Conference – Central Division
Central Division Odds | BetOnline
- Cleveland Cavaliers (-400)
- Detroit Pistons (+500)
- Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)
- Indiana Pacers (+2500)
- Chicago Bulls (+15000)
Who Got Better?
Not a ton of changes in the Central Division this year, but one of the major ones was Myles Turner leaving the Indiana Pacers and going to the inter-divisional rival; the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee added the seven footer but traded Damian Lillard to the Portland Trailblazers and watched Brook Lopez sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Pistons signed Duncan Robinson but more importantly will see their young guard Jaden Ivey return to the lineup. The Pacers will be without Haliburton for the entire year and the Bulls are still just the Bulls.
Who’s Winning the Division?
Out of all the Eastern Conference divisions, the Central Division feels the toughest to find real value. The reason I say that is the Cavaliers are just significantly better than everyone else in this division. They’ve got the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley. One of the league’s most prolific scorers in Donovan Mitchell and the kind of depth other fan bases dream of.
The Cavaliers traded for Lonzo Ball in the offseason and I can’t emphasize enough how important he could be this year; if healthy. Prior to his injury, Lonzo and the Bulls were 22-13. He finished with a 27-17 record in Chicago when he saw 25+ minutes and I’m really excited to see how he helps elevate Evan Mobley’s offensive game.
2025/2026 NBA Eastern Conference – Southeast Division
Southeast Division Odds | BetOnline
- Orlando Magic (-170)
- Atlanta Hawks (+160)
- Miami Heat (+1200)
- Charlotte Hornets (+10000)
- Washington Wizards (+30000)
Who Got Better?
One of the most exciting moves of the offseason, in my opinion, was the addition of Desmond Bane by the Orlando Magic. Orlando was the league’s worst 3-point shooting team last year and that’s exactly why they went and got Bane; a career 41% 3-point shooter.
The Atlanta Hawks are another team that are bringing in a completely revamped roster. The team traded for Kristaps Porziņģis and signed both Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. The Hawks will bring back last year’s Most Improved Player, Dyson Daniels and will have Jalen Johnson back healthy and on the court. They made some huge changes in the offseason and I’m excited to watch Hawks basketball this year.
Who’s Winning the Division?
This is won’t excite anyone, but the Atlanta Hawks at (+160) has to be my value pick in the Southeast. The Orlando Magic are the favorite for good reason. Paolo Banchero is clearly the best player in the entire division and Franz Wagner has his #2 is scary thought. Add to that Desmond Bane, a 41% 3-point shooter that’s averaged 19+ points for three straight seasons and you can see why they’re projected to finish atop the Southeast.
Despite how good the Magic look, the Atlanta Falcons have so much potential. Jalen Johnson was beginning to look like an All-Star last year and now with him back on the court, Kristaps healthy and a defensive backcourt to surround Trae Young; I’m excited for how good this Hawks team can really be.
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