(Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for ESPN)
With the new NBA season just weeks away, everyone is making predictions for what’s ahead, including ESPN.
The sports network released their list of predictions for the Eastern Conference, which was then shared by NBACentral on Twitter.
They believe that the Boston Celtics will win the most games, with a prediction of 54.3 wins.
They are followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers with 48.6 wins, the Milwaukee Bucks with 48.5, the Philadelphia 76ers with 46.9, and the New York Knicks with 44.6.
The Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and the Indiana Pacers fill out the other top ten teams in the East, according to ESPN.
So, how accurate will this list end up being?
ESPN’s eastern conference prediction:
1. Celtics: 54.3 wins
2. Cavaliers: 48.6 wins
3. Bucks: 48.5 wins
4. 76ers: 46.9 wins
5. Knicks: 44.6 wins
6. Hawks: 43.8 wins
7. Heat: 42.7 wins
8. Raptors: 42.7 wins
9. Nets: 40.0 wins
10. Pacers: 38.6 wins
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 7, 2023
Of course, it’ll be many months before we know if ESPN got it right or wrong.
There are a few surprises on this list.
The Cavaliers moving all the way up to the second team in the East is good news for fans of the team.
Of course, even with a strong regular season, they could still fall apart in the playoffs like they did last year.
Fans of the Bucks are likely upset that their team didn’t rocket to the top of the standings after the acquisition of Damian Lillard.
There are numerous people who felt they became favorites in their conference with that trade but ESPN doesn’t see them winning the most games.
The Pacers are back in the top ten after years of being away while the reigning Eastern Conference champions, the Heat, are down at number seven.
This is definitely going to be a list that people debate vigorously.
The post ESPN Releases NBA Eastern Conference Predictions appeared first on The Cold Wire.