Boston Celtics

Ecstatic! Best record in the league and arguably the best team in the league. Deep team with two stars and probably the only team poised to make the finals. The only weakness on this team would be consistency. The Celtics tend to do amazing against teams with a good record and bad against teams with a bad record. In their meetings this year the Orlando Magic beat them four times. As long as Jayson Tatum stays consistent in the playoffs, this team could win it all. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Hopeful. Embiid is the biggest force in basketball right now. It seems like he is the only player you can’t stop and if you do, you get a foul called. Harden is bouncing back from his worst season last year, Tyrese Maxey is a superstar in the making, and the role players step up when one of their stars is out. However, as we’ve seen with ‘The Process’ a good record and team hasn’t led them to the finals. With Harden’s playoff history we should be worried but hopeful.

Brooklyn Nets 

Staying positive. With KD out for a month the Nets haven’t been able to show they are a consistent dominant team. This situation is the opposite of last year though. They are holding their own this time with a 4-5 record since the injury. In December when they had their 12-game winning streak they looked like the best team in basketball. As a team with too many guards and not enough picks to make a significant trade it will be hard going against top teams like the Celtics and 76ers but with Kevin Durant anything is possible. 

New York Knicks

Excited for playoffs. The Knicks are just above .500 with a 27-25 record. The Knicks continue to be the Knicks though. Struggling for twenty years with no set focus. Jalen Brunson is their star and deserves everything he’s accomplishing, but with Brunson as your number one option you won’t win a championship. Even if the Knicks continue to be in the middle of the Eastern conference, making the playoffs will make any Knick fan happy. 

Raptors

Confused. Last year they were fifth in the Eastern conference while this year they are twelveth. The roster didn’t change that much and outside the top five in the East it's anyone’s game. The team chemistry isn’t great as reported issues with Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby. Scottie Barnes has regressed compared to last year but continues to be one of the best in his class. I’d be confused to how we got here but hopeful for the trade deadline.