His top 7:
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Raptors
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Heat
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Knicks
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76ers
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Cavs
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Bucks
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Celtics
The top of the Eastern Conference also doubles as the top of the NBA, at least until further notice.
It’s a strange thing to say when three of the past four championships were won by the other conference. However, the East had the three best regular-season records and the four best point differentials last season and, on paper, has by far the two best teams heading into the season. Either Boston or Milwaukee has been in the last seven Eastern Conference finals, and they had the two best 2022-23 regular-season records. After both clubs loaded up even further in the offseason, it looks like a two-team race at the top.
Alas, that quality trails off quickly. Miami, winner of the conference in two of the past four seasons (and nearly a third), lost key pieces and whiffed on Damian Lillard, leaving the Heat a step behind their rivals. Philadelphia is in similar straits while it plays out James Harden’s trade demand, which thus far has been a rerun of the Ben Simmons saga that brought Harden to Philly in the first place. Cleveland, and its talented core quartet, merits watching, but must prove it isn’t just a regular-season paper tiger. The Knicks are deep and fun, but lack star power. The Raptors similarly seem at least one player away from being anything threatening.
it's the Bucks chip to lose
In theory, yeah. But let's see how Dame is come December.
Nah. I think we have a better chance than before the trade, but we have a couple legitimate weak spots we need to figure out. And it may take some time for the Giannis/Dame combo to hit full steam.
No lol
Until I see the team click together and how they look then it’s not and won’t even be then because Boston is a good team.
So far in preseason we’ve looked weird but the coach has also been trying different schemes. Can see it taking a few weeks to get going
Were the betting favorites. That does in fact mean it is our chip to lose whether you agree or not
Pretty sure I’ve seen Boston tied or ahead in betting odds?
It varies by book, but it's pretty dead even overall:
https://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/
Regardless, it's not anybody's "to win" when you're neck and neck with another team.
Who cares lol
They just see dame and Giannis and automatically assume they are going to the finals which isn’t true.