With LeBron James taking his talents to Hollywoodland one thing’s for sure. There will be a new beast of the East that doesn’t feature LeBron James as is central-most star for the first time since the Celtics last won the conference crown way back in 2009-10.
Will the young and hungry Boston Celtics live up to their status as prohibitive favorites to win the Eastern Conference? Could a Philadelphia 76ers team that also boasts some elite young talent rise up to stun the C’s to win the East or could it be a Toronto Raptors team that added superstar forward Kawhi Leonard in the offseason?
With the start of the 2018-19 NBA season here, now is a perfect time to offer up some fun-filled NBA odds predictions on just what might take place in the Eastern Conference this season.2018 NBA Eastern Conference Odds to Win & Predictions
| Team | Odds |
| Boston Celtics | 1/1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 7/2 |
| Toronto Raptors | 4/1 |
| Miami Heat | 14/1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 20/1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 20/1 |
| Washington Wizards | 25/1 |
| New York Knicks | 50/1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 66/1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 66/1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 100/1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 100/1 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 100/1 |
| Orlando Magic | 100/1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 250/1 |
Philadelphia 76ers
I can see why my hometown Philadelphia 76ers (7/2) are the No. 2 pick on the board to win the East and it’s because they have arguably the best center in the game in multi-talented center Joel Embiid and a new-age Magic Johnson wannabe in point forward Ben Simmons. I like Philly to finish second in the East – if everything goes right. However, the likelihood that everything goes right is kind of small. I am going on record to say that the Sixers really need Markelle Fultz to turn into a star worthy of being picked first overall if Philadelphia wants to get past Boston any time soon. I’m going with Philadelphia to finish fourth in the East!Toronto Raptors
Toronto (4/1) had its best season ever in franchise history in winning 59 games last season, but none of it matter with the Raptors getting unceremoniously swept out of the playoffs in an embarrassing four-game sweep to James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors then traded star DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard and they brought in a new head coach in the widely respected Nick Nurse. Now, the Raptors are the No. 3 seed in the East, but I don’t think they should be, seeing as how Leonard played in only nine games last season and no one really knows how he’s going to look or fit it with his new teammates. I’m going with Toronto to finish fifth in the East.Indiana Pacers
The team I really like to make some noise this coming season is the Indiana Pacers as a whopping 20/1 pick to win the conference. Led by two-way all-star Victor Oladipo’s breakout season a year ago, the Pacers have the look of a team that could surprise even more in 2018-19. Indiana added veterans Kyle O’Quinn, Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott to go along with Oladipo, a still-blossoming Myles Turner and underrated big man Damontas Sabonis. Could it be that Indiana finishes second in the East? In the immortal words of the great Marv Albert. Yes!Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks went 44-38 last season, but it was their first round, seven-game playoff series against Boston that makes me think they could beat anybody this coming season. Milwaukee (20/1) has a flat-out superstar in do-it-all forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and they’ve got a near all-star in sweet-shooting swingman Khris Middleton, not to mention they brought in former all-star big man Brook Lopez. If the Bucks can get some consistent contributions from guys like former ROY winner Malcolm Brogdon and forward Thon Maker, I’m thinking they could finish third in the East.
