Chapter 1 Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups

The Eastern Conference rankings are out, and with the matchups confirmed, ESPN has also made a wave of predictions.

Bucks vs. Bulls.

This is probably the most predictable matchup in the East, or even the entire league.

After a large exodus of All-Stars from the East, teams began vying to tank, producing a wealth of "control the game" coaches. The Bulls benefited from this trend and returned to the playoffs.

Against the East's strongest team, the Bucks, their chances are pitifully slim.

Raptors vs. Magic.

The two teams have vastly different regular season records, but the series will be full of suspense.

The Raptors' backcourt duo turns into a "garbage brothers" in the playoffs, while the Magic's Vucevic has been outstanding this season.

Considering the Raptors failed to acquire Gasol before the trade deadline, Valanciunas will struggle against Vucevic, making this series a likely upset.

Celtics vs. Pacers.

Walker's arrival has returned the Celtics to the ranks of the powerhouses. Facing the Pacers without a superstar, the Celtics are likely to advance easily.

Nets vs. Pistons.

This series is full of suspense. Two young and energetic teams, and no one knows which one will emerge victorious before the end of the series.

The Bucks stand out in the East, while the West, as in the past few years, is still a battle for supremacy.

And like a few years ago, two 70-win teams appeared in the West in the same season.

The Lakers finished with a 71-11 record, ranking first in the West and also first in the league.

LeBron James averaged 26.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, with a 51% field goal percentage and a 33% three-point percentage.

Kevin Durant averaged 30.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with a 52.1% field goal percentage and a 35.6% three-point percentage.

James and Durant playing together produced a "1+1>2" effect, and the 71-win record speaks for itself.

If it weren't for those two unfortunate losses against the Pelicans, they would have had a chance to improve their win total even further.

The Spurs finished with a 70-12 record, second only to the Lakers.

After an adjustment period at the beginning of the season, the Spurs went on a franchise-record 26-game winning streak, and the 70 wins also broke the franchise's best record.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the wing, as well as Popovich's coaching, were showcased to the fullest extent during the regular season.

And these will unleash even greater power in the playoffs.

Although their strength on paper is not as good as the Lakers, in the eyes of many, they are the most popular to win the championship.

The Pelicans finished third in the West with a 61-21 record.

Their performance fluctuated somewhat during the mid-season, and Stevens was practicing his troops in the final stages. Being able to achieve this record is excellent enough.

Compared to the record, the most dazzling is Tang Tian.

Tang Tian played 79 games this season, averaging 37 points, 10.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, with a 54% field goal percentage and a 40.3% three-point percentage.

82 points in a single game, 14 40+ point triple-doubles, 38 points in a single quarter, 102 points in a single game!

Scoring champion, assist champion, and averaged a triple-double for the season!

Tang Tian has played a truly peak season!

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James are all strong contenders for the regular season MVP, but in fact, everyone knows that Tang Tian winning this year's MVP is a certainty!

And now the only suspense is, facing the Lakers, Spurs, and Bucks, can he help the Pelicans achieve a four-peat.

Although that looks very, very, very difficult.

The Mavericks finished fourth with a 59-23 record.

Losing Jokic did not reduce their combat power too much. Instead, after the lineup was integrated, their immediate combat power was stronger.

It will be very difficult to beat them in the playoffs, and there is a reason why they can occupy this position.

Nowitzki doesn't get much playing time, but he has a good chance to compete for the championship again.

The Clippers finished fifth with a 58-24 record.

The most amazing team of the season has to be the Clippers.

From a tanking team last season to a championship contender this season, and with a very fateful 58 wins, this team's performance really exceeded everyone's expectations.

Butler averaged 23.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, with a 47% field goal percentage and a 37.4% three-point percentage.

He became a real team leader for the first time. Rivers gave him enough possessions, and he rewarded Rivers with excellent performances.

It is worth mentioning that the Pelicans' hard-training four brothers last season, gathering was a flame, and they played a record of 80 wins that has never been seen before and will never be seen again.

Now that they are scattered, they are also stars all over the sky, and each of them is playing very well.

Looking back at the choice last summer, it was the best for them.

In addition to Butler, Doncic, as a rookie, averaged 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with a 42% field goal percentage and a 32.7% three-point percentage.

Although the field goal percentage is a bit worse, his true shooting percentage is not low.

And more noteworthy is that he became the fifth rookie after Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tyreke Evans to complete the 20+5+5 feat in his rookie season!

Butler now understands what Tang Tian reminded him of, Doncic's talent is destined to be immeasurable in the future.

The Warriors finished sixth with a 54-28 record.

Losing Durant has put this team through unprecedented tests, and Green's hard-to-soft change has also caused Kerr to encounter the biggest adjustment in his coaching career.

However, Curry has played data that has returned to its peak level.

Averaging 30 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists, with a 47% field goal percentage and a 43% three-point percentage.

After the tide receded, Curry is still that Steph who defies the heavens.

And Thompson also played his peak season.

Averaging 23.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, with a 48% field goal percentage and a 44% three-point percentage.

The Splash Brothers' excellent performance helped the Warriors make it to the playoffs in the end, and they got a good position.

The Rockets finished seventh with a 53-29 record.

Ariza left, Paul's performance declined rapidly, and Harden played his peak season.

Although there was no performance like Tang Tian's 82 points or even 100 points in a single game, he repeatedly scored 50+ and 60+.

Averaging 33.5 points, second only to Tang Tian, ​​in addition to 6.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.0 steals, 44.4% field goal percentage, 36.8% three-point percentage.

There are also 11 free throws per game, and his true shooting percentage is quite outstanding.

This is really being a father and a mother.

Even though the Rockets' record is relatively low, this crazy data will put him in the discussion range for MVP.

The Trail Blazers finished eighth in the East with a 48-34 record.

The performance of the Twin Guns has declined compared to last year, but they were lucky enough to make it to the playoffs in the end.

Where there is luck, there is naturally bad luck. The Thunder with 47 wins, the Jazz with 46 wins, and the Suns with 44 wins all missed the playoffs due to intense competition.

The cruelty of the West is evident.