NBA 2021-22 Eastern Conference Team-by-Team Preview

The 2021-22 NBA season is here, meaning it's time to dive into each and every team's prospects, with the Eastern Conference in focus here.

The East is headlined by two teams this season, being the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, with the former looking to win back-to-back titles.

NBA 2021-22 Title Odds
Eastern Conference

• Brooklyn Nets +240
• Milwaukee Bucks +900
• Philadelphia 76ers +1600
• Miami Heat +2500
• Atlanta Hawks +3000
• Boston Celtics +4000
• Chicago Bulls +6600
• New York Knicks +8000
• Charlotte Hornets +10000
• Indiana Pacers +10000
• Toronto Raptors +15000
• Washington Wizards +15000
• Cleveland Cavaliers +50000
• Detroit Pistons +50000
• Orlando Magic +50000

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Now, let's get into our expert Eastern Conference team previews for the 2021-22 NBA season ⬇️

‍Atlanta Hawks

Positives

Hawks' fans of plenty of reasons to be excited about this season, with the continual growth of Trae Young right up there. As well as Trae's year-on-year improvement towards genuine superstardom, Atlanta also has a host of second tier players that makes their depth chart one of the most appealing in the entire NBA.

With minutes expected to be shared between guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams and Cam Reddish on the wings, along with John Collins, Clint Capela and Danilo Galinari at the 4 and 5, the Hawks should have plenty of guys that can go off on any given night. 

Negatives

On the flip side of this is the chance that none of these guys take the next step. In order for the Hawks to become a title threat over the next couple of season, Trae will need one or two of these guys to make a leap. Whilst last season's playoffs experience should help, there's no guarantee they get any better this season.

Hawks title odds: +4000

Hawks title probability: 1.8%

Sportsbook wins total line: 47.5

Boston Celtics

Positives

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Simply put, this duo has the potential to be one of the best in the league over the next two years or so, with 50+ points on a nightly basis basically an expectation from them these days. Tatum has had another big off-season in the gym and Jaylen Brown has got better every single year he's been in the NBA. If these two both improve once again, it will be hard for any team to match the Celtics on the wing.

Negatives

Whilst Tatum and Brown are a pair of absolute killers, the rest of the lineup is certainly not up to scratch to go deep into the playoffs or the Finals. Dennis Schroder has had his moments, but the lack of interest in him as a free agent shows that the majority of teams around the league don't see him as a point guard that can handle the rock when it matters most. Robert Williams is one guy outside of the big two that has the potential to take a leap this season, but apart from that, it could be pretty grim for the Celts when Jayson or Jaylen have off nights.

Celtics title odds: +5000

Celtics title probability: 3.2%

Sportsbook wins total line: 46.5

Brooklyn Nets

Positives

Well, they have Kevin Durant and James Harden, so that's a good place to start. We also expect Kyrie to enter the fold at some point season but more on that below.

As well as the obvious superstars in KD and Harden, Brooklyn has a host of depth players that have the potential for big nights, both in the regular season and then when it matters most. The vet presence of Patty Mills, LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin will be a huge plus for the Nets. Couple that with the ability of Joe Harris, Bruce Brown, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, and it's not hard to see why the Nets are title favorites before the season has even started.

Negatives

With a squad as talented and deep as this one, there's only a couple of things that can stop them at least making the Finals: injuries and off-court controversy. And their big three are never too far away from both. As it stands, Kyrie was been banished from practicing or playing with the team until he's vaccinated. Although we expect him to suit up for the Nets eventually, if an injury occurs to either Harden or Durant before that, it may be tough for the other one to lead on his own.

Nets title odds: +250

Nets title probability: 17.9%

Sportsbook wins total line: 55.5

MORE: 2021-22 NBA MVP Picks

Charlotte Hornets

Positives

The Hornets are going to be a highlights machine this season. With Lamelo Ball, Miles Bridges and Kai Jones on the list, big dunks and flashy passes will keep Hornets fans and League Pass views excited, and when they win, it's going to be very nice to watch.

Negatives

The main problem for Charlotte is just how much their prospects depend on Gordon Hayward's fitness. Betting on the over/under for these guys is pretty much betting on whether he can stay fit, and frankly, there's no reason to think he will.

And when he's off the court, the other thing that will impact them negatively will be a lack of veteran leadership, with the majority of their team quite young still.

Hornets title odds: +13000

Hornets title probability: 0.7%

Sportsbook wins total line: 38.5

Chicago Bulls

Positives

The Bulls are going for it. After years of languishing they've finally pushed their chips in and brought in some players to support Zach LaVine. Lonzo Ball looks likely to be the man who will add the most, and there's a strong possibility that these pick ups help LaVine improve on his 27-5-5 averages from last season.

Negatives

The first thing that may concern Bulls fans is that the team may take some time to gel (not that that seemed like a problem in the preseason), along with multiple guys out there believing they deserve the ball t the crucial moments.

The other worry for the Bulls is that they've given a lot of money to DeRozan, who although he will score, could impact them negatively considering his price.

Bulls title odds: +7000

Bulls title probability: 1.5%

Sportsbook wins total line: 43.5

Cleveland Cavaliers

Positives

Whilst no one's expecting the Cavs to shock the world and make the playoffs, they've put together a solid young core, with many experts pinning a couple of guys down for big years. Darius Garland is one of the darlings of NBA Twitter and should take a leap tis season, whilst Evan Mobley showed all the signs of a future league superstar in the preseason, building on what was an extremely positive college career.

Negatives

The most worrying story for the Cavs right now is certainly that of Kevin Love and what they're going to do with his contract. The 2016 champion has no place in the team's present or future, but is currently taking up a massive chuck of their salary cap. 

If they are to find a trade partner or buyout his contract, the concern will then come from having very little veteran leadership outside of Ricky Rubio.

Cavaliers title odds: +50000

Cavaliers title probability: 0.1%

Sportsbook wins total line: 26.5

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Detroit Pistons

Positives

Hmmm, there's not a whole lot here to be honest. At least Jerami Grant has some support in the form of Cade Cunningham now. Actually yeah, Cunningham will be a star, so that's a big positive (just maybe not this season).

Negatives

Simply put, they're not going to win much this season. Between the Red Wings, Lions, Tigers and Pistons, there hasn't been much to cheer about lately for Detroit sports fans lately, and even with Cunningham, that's not likely to change much in 2021-22. 

Pistons title odds: +50000

Pistons title probability: 0.1%

Sportsbook wins total line: 25.5

Indiana Pacers

Positives

Domantas Sabonis is a star and is seemingly still getting better season on season. As well as Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, they also now have rookie, Chris Duarte, who looks like a very solid NBA talent.

Another positive (I promise it's a positive) is that they're a serious chance of trading for Ben Simmons, who would only improve them, especially on the defensive side.

Negatives

Unfortunately for the Pacers, unless they do make a big move like the one above, they're likely going to be right in that Play-In Tournament zone, with little to fight for after that. They're not good enough to knock out a top seed, and they're also not bad enough to lock in a high draft pick.

Pacers title odds: +10000

Pacers title probability: 0.9%

Sportsbook wins total line: 42.5

Miami Heat

Positives

Heat fans have plenty to look forward to this season, with one of those key positives coming in the form of 2019 NBA champion, Kyle Lowry. Lowry is the perfect ball handler and facilitator for this team, who have a host of young guys ready to take the leap as they look to make it back to the Finals like they did in 2020.

With Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro all looking like they could get better again, the heat should be right amongst it as they look to finish the regular season with a top-four seed.

Negatives

Despite having a nice core of young guys, Miami also will rely quite heavily on the health of Lowry (35) and Jimmy Butler (32) who will be tasked with defending younger perimeter guys night in, night out.

Heat title odds: +2600

Heat title probability: 3.6%

Sportsbook wins total line: 48.5

Milwaukee Bucks

Positives

Well, they're the reigning champions, so there's that. Oh, they also have the best two-way player in the league. They're going to be a Top-2 seed again, lock it in.

Negatives

If anything, you could say they haven't change their roster much, but with Giannis looking likely he's probably going to improve, and guys like Middleton and Holiday have the confidence of a finals win, the lack of changes may not even be a negative in the end.

Bucks title odds: +900

Bucks title probability: 14.0%

Sportsbook wins total line: 54.5

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New York Knicks

Positives

New York basketball had a renaissance last season, and a lot of their young dudes should be feeling good after making the playoffs last season. The signing of Kemba Walker could definitely end up having more cons that pros, but he's going to have his streaks where he plays well and helps bring younger guys into the game.

Speaking of those young guys, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Mitch Robinson all have All-Star potential in this league, with RJ in particular set for a breakout season.

Negatives

Julius Randle's playoffs are a big worry. After the best regular season of his career, Randle faltered in the postseason and could be shot of confidence for this coming year.

Even with the emergence of Barrett, the Knicks look destined to finish in the Play-In Tournament region of the standings, with plenty of other East teams set to improve.

Knicks title odds: +10000

Knicks title probability: 1.2%

Sportsbook wins total line: 41.5

Orlando Magic

Positives

We'll keep this one short. Jalen Suggs is a born-winner and WILL drag the Magic to a few wins this season, whilst Mo Bamba is out for a big contract and has shown signs of stardom in the preseason.

Negatives

Overall, it's probably not going to be a season to remember for the Magic, with their wins total one of the lowest in the league. They have a concerning lack of depth and will likely be fighting for a high draft pick once again (which I can guess could be seen as a positive!).

Magic title odds: +50000

Magic title probability: 0.2%

Sportsbook wins total line: 22.5

Philadelphia 76ers

Positives

Joel Embiid would've won the MVP last season if not for that late-season injury, and with the star Center looking fit and ready to go this season, there's no doubt they'll be competing for a top seed once again. 

They should also be able to get a healthy return in a Ben Simmons trade (hopefully soon) and have some solid secondary talent in Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey and Furkan Korkmaz. Matisse Thybulle is also a defensive menace who will be a joy to Sixers fans all season long!

Negatives

The biggest concern right now is Ben Simmons, and this season it isn't his lack of a jumper. The longer this debacle drags on, the worse it is for Philly, especially after it almost definitely impacted on the preseason preparations in some form.

76ers title odds: +2000

76ers title probability: 4.3%

Sportsbook wins total line: 50.5

Toronto Raptors

Positives

The Raptors are going to be TOUGH on the defensive end of the court. They also have a bunch of exciting players who should only get better including OG Anunoby and Fred van Vleet, as well as promising rookie, Scottie Barnes, who can guard every position on the court.

Negatives

With Kyle Lowry going out for Goran Dragic, the Slovenian is the only true experienced player in the locker room, and with a high change he's traded or bought out in the coming months, it could be a tough run for the Raps with Pascal Siakam being the leading man on and off the court.

Raptors title odds: +15000

Raptors title probability: 1.0%

Sportsbook wins total line: 36.5

Washington Wizards

Positives

This should be fun. Bradley Beal arguably has the most talent by his side that he's had since the 2017 playoffs, with Dinwiddie and Kuzma the two most exciting pickups. On top of that, they still have an improving Rui Hachimura and solid big man rotation consisting of Montrezl Harrell, Thomas Bryant and Daniel Gafford.

Negatives

Unfortunately for the Wiz, a host of other teams around their level also look like they're getting better. 

The other problem for them is that Spencer Dinwiddie isn't Russell Westbrook. For all of his faults, Russ helped them win plenty of games last season, which is something this crop won't be able to do if and when Beal misses games.

Wizards title odds: +16000

Wizards title probability: 0.6%

Sportsbook wins total line: 34.5

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