Who's coming out of the East?

[Andrew]

For much of the season, it seemed as though the Cleveland Cavaliers were the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. However, they haven't exactly torn up the league since firing David Blatt, and just dropped a game at home to the Memphis Grizzlies today. The hottest teams in the Conference over the past ten games have been the Celtics, Heat, and Hornets, while the Raptors are only 2.5 games behind the Cavs for the #1 seed in the East.

With the way the Warriors are playing, one might be tempted to say it doesn't matter who comes out of the East, but I think it's still an interesting question to ponder, because there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut favourite right now. I will say that it's nice to see the East gaining a little strength this year, with nine teams over .500 through 60 games. It's a marked improvement from recent years. Meanwhile, only seven teams are above .500 at present, which is highly unusual.

[stereoxide]

Playoff LeBron will just carry these scrubs out of the East.

[Andrew]

Definitely a possibility, and I'd probably still pick them to advance to the Finals. It's not as though anyone else is a lock to make it through, but then given their inconsistency, it's not inconceivable that the Cavs bow out before that.

[NovU]

I will be a homer and go with Miami. And they're the hottest team in East right now.

If the current seeding remains the same in the playoffs, there's good chance Cavs and Heat meet up in the second round. Whoever comes out alive from that series will go onto the Finals imho.

[Kevin]

They'd have to face Toronto first.

[[Q]]

A lot of teams are in the mix, but I hope Charlotte takes it