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East Ascendant: NBA's Top Conference Could Flip This Year
17 Sep
Summary
- Eastern Conference's strength is projected to surpass the West for the first time since 1998.
- New York Knicks are the team to beat, but Boston Celtics lead regular season projections.
- The 2026-27 season sees a highly competitive Eastern Conference from top to bottom.
The NBA's Eastern Conference is showing signs of eclipsing the Western Conference's dominance, a shift not seen since the late 1990s. This upcoming 2026-27 season suggests unprecedented depth and competitiveness across the East.
The Boston Celtics, bolstered by their Jaylen Brown trade and a full season of Jayson Tatum alongside new additions, are favored to win many regular season games. Their formula of threes, offensive rebounding, and defense remains a potent strategy.
The New York Knicks are widely considered the team to beat in the playoffs, possessing a strong returning core. While they may not need the top seed, they are expected to be a formidable force regardless of their regular season placement.
Cleveland Cavaliers, after several successful seasons with Donovan Mitchell, aim to take another step forward despite a potentially weaker bench. Their performance hinges on key player health and development, with new addition Peyton Watson offering defensive potential.
Other Eastern Conference teams like the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and Atlanta Hawks present intriguing storylines, from potential breakout seasons to significant roster changes, highlighting the conference's increased parity.
