The start of the 2025-26 NBA season is upon us, and with that, we look into our crystal balls to see how our teams will perform.
We take you through the entire Eastern Conference and predict how their season will pan out...
Atlanta Hawks - 47.5
Over
The Hawks are one of the teams that are expected to leap from last season. Additions of Porzingis and Alexander-Walker will help this. Jalen Johnson will be back from injury after missing most of last year. Expect the Hawks to win eight more games than last season to overtake their line.
Boston Celtics - 41.5
Over
Boston might not have their superstar Jayson Tatum, but expect them to be a very competitive team in every game with their style of play and scoring talent. Jaylen Brown is expected to have a big year, and it is believed they have enough to win 42 games.
Brooklyn Nets - 19.5
Under
The Nets look like a team that will be tanking and trying to lose a lot of games. A team full of young talent with a good coach may be competitive in some games, but it will be hard to see them reach the 20-win total mark.
Charlotte Hornets - 26.5
Over
The Hornets will be relying on health to reach their win total. If star LaMelo Ball plays enough games, they will surpass this total with ease. Expect them to have a good season and potentially smash this over.
Chicago Bulls - 32.5
Over
The Bulls always seem like a team that's hovering around the play-in tournament. I expect them to be an entertaining team to watch, built with young talent, and expect them to be able to get 33 wins, but this is one team that could easily go under.
Cleveland Cavaliers - 56.5
Over
The Cavaliers won a total of 64 games last year, and it will be hard to see them lose 8 more games to be under their total win line. The Cavs are going into the year with the same roster, except adding Lonzo Ball, and now Hunter will be there for a full year. Expect them to get 57 wins.
Detroit Pistons - 46.5
Under
The Pistons are coming off an amazing year, which saw them win 44 games. The Pistons roster is very similar to last year, and it is believed that they will go under this win total of 46.5. It's going to be a great year for the Pistons, but the line seems hard to go over.
Indiana Pacers - 36.5
Over
The reigning Eastern Conference champions' win total is much lower than what they got last year. They do lose superstar Tyrese Haliburton and starter Myles Turner, but 37 wins seems doable.
Miami Heat - 37.5
Under
The Miami Heat seem like a very confusing team at the moment; their line is at 37.5 after winning 37 games last year. Star Tyler Herro will be out to start the season, so that won't help. Coach Spoelstra will keep them competitive, but 38 wins might be hard.
Milwaukee Bucks - 43.5
Under
The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will make them a very competitive team every night, which is why their line is 43.5. Outside of that, they don't have much. This team is built on Giannis, so if he misses any games, they will definitely go under this line, but I still think they aren't good enough to go over with their current roster.
New York Knicks - 53.5
Over
The Knicks won 51 games last year and then added more depth to their great roster. I expect them to be at least 3 games better with the new roster and new head coach. The Knicks are second-favourite to win in the East, so 54 wins seems likely.
Orlando Magic - 50.5
Over
The Orlando Magic are similar to the Atlanta Hawks in being a team expected to leap in the East. They have one of the better defensive teams in the league. After winning 41 games last year, with their two superstars missing a combined 58 games, they are expected to win 10 more games.
Philadelphia 76ers - 43.5
Under
The 76ers are a team that is very unknown with their injury history; it all relies on what Joel Embiid's health is. If the past MVP is healthy, they can surpass this over but if not, they don't have a chance. There seems to be too many variables to trust picking their over.
Toronto Raptors - 39.5
Under
The Raptors have an interesting roster coming into this season. After winning 30 games last year, they have a line with 10 wins higher. Even with some stars coming back from injury, the roster doesn't seem good enough to win 40 games in the East.
Washington Wizards - 20.5
Under
Just like the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards are trying to lose to gain a higher pick in the draft. The young team doesn't have too much to offer to win on a night-to-night basis. Expect them to go under.
