02.03.2022 - A Quick Guide To The Top 4 Seeds In The Eastern Conference This Season. The NBA adopted a new system in 2004 - they split the 30 teams of the league into two smaller conferences. One named the Western Conference and the other named the Eastern Conference.
Today, we will be looking at the 4 teams with the best chance of winning the NBA Eastern Conference in the 2021-22 season.
#4 - Cleveland Cavaliers
Formed in 1970
Last won the Eastern Conference in 2018
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently the 4th favorite to win the conference and they play in the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The only number the team has ever retired was Shaquille O'Neal's no. 33.
Their current head coach is J. B. Bickerstaff, who joined the team at the start of 2020. Last year the team lost 50 games. This year, they have really improved almost every element of their game. They have only lost 24 games this season so far.
LeBron James has been a key player for the Cavaliers over the last 2 decades - together they won the Eastern Conference 5 times and won the NBA finals once. However, the team has really struggled since James left at the end of the 2018 season.
Since he left they have been through 5 coaches in as many seasons. They have also failed to qualify for the playoffs since James left the team.
This could be the best year for the Cavaliers since their hero James left.
#3 - Philadelphia 76ers
Founded in 1946
Last won the Eastern Conference in 2001
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently 3rd favorite to win the Eastern Conference this year - they play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The team is majority-owned by actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith grew up in the city and wanted to "return to his roots".
The Philadelphia 76ers were Division Champions last year, for the first time in 20 years and they look set to win it again this year. Last year they were knocked out of the conference quarterfinals.
The change in fortunes at the 76ers camp is believed to be a result of their new coaching team of Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey. Both of whom were hired just before the start of the 2020-21 season. After not winning their division for 20 years, Rivers and Morey look set to win it two years in a row.
Last season, Joel Embiid was named in second place for NBA Player of the Year - this is the best a 76ers player has done in 20 years. This year, Embiid has been paired with James Harden - the pair have become known as "the unstoppable two". It is thanks to them that Philly has such a good chance of taking home the conference title this season.
With the "unstoppable two" looking truly unstoppable as the season draws to a close, many have started to wonder whether the 76ers could cause a pick upset this year and win it all.
Find the best NBA betting odds on this and the other three teams in the article here.
#2 - Chicago Bulls
Founded in 1968
Last won the Eastern Conference in 1998
The last time the Chicago Bulls won the Eastern Conference, it was a completely different system to the one we use today. It has been nearly 25 years since they last won a title.
It has also been 10 years since they last won their division - but they look set to win the central division this year as they are 3 games clear of the Cavaliers.
The Bulls first started to see a change in their fortunes when they traded and brought Zach LaVine into their squad. While LaVine has brought a lot to the team, he hasn't quite had the players he's needed around him - until this season.
Now that they have 4-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan working with LaVine, things have started to look up for the Bulls.
#1 Miami Heat
Founded in 1988
Last won the Eastern Conference in 2020
If you have been following this season, then you won't be at all surprised to see the Heat at the top of this list. They are sitting at the top of the Southeastern Division with 40 wins under their belt - no one in the Eastern Conference has done better and only the Suns and Grizzlies have done better in the whole NBL.
The Heat has had a great season and is really spoiled for choice when it comes to good players. Captain Dewayne Dedmon has had a flawless season, as has Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
* The Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Eastern Conference last year, but it looks like they will not make it into the Top 4 this season. The pundits and bookies are now favoring Miami Heat to claim the title for the 2021-22 season.
