NBA — Eastern Conference Team Outlooks: February 2025
1. Cleveland Cavs (43 -10)
Riding the team-first wave, Donovan Mitchell listened to Kenny Atkinson’s urging to step back and move the ball more freely in order for the team to dominate. Credit to Mitchell and Atkinson. For such a dynamic scorer, Mitchell’s willingness to make plays for others has enabled Evan Mobley’s rise and Darius Garland’s resurrection from last year’s jaw injury. Garland is slithery with the ball and knocking down 44% of his 3s, leading the NBA among high-volume 3-point shooters (over 5 attempts per game). Mobley is incredibly long and agile, with an unblockable release point. Mobley’s growing strength and physicality have turned him into a force in the paint, shooting 57% overall and 62% on twos. Jarrett Allen is shooting 70%! Mostly dunks, but my goodness. Ty Jerome has provided dynamic energy off the bench with 11.5/3.5/2.5 on 52% shooting in 20 minutes per game. It all starts with ball movement. The addition of DeAndre Hunter only strengthens Cleveland’s depth and range.
The question remains…how will this translate to the playoffs?
2. Boston Celtics (38–16)
The Celtics showed Cleveland they’re still the strongest threat to upend the Cavs in May with a 112–105 victory in Cleveland a week ago. The defensive intensity of both teams was on full display. It felt like an Eastern Conference Finals Preview. Despite the inevitable mid-season lull that often follows a title run (and Olympic run for three Celtics) the Celtics roll into the break (Wednesday vs Spurs aside) having won 6 of 7. Center Kristaps Porzings missed the quarter of the season and slowly worked his way back into game shape (ankle injuries make rehab difficult). Porzingis shot a blistering 49% from deep in 13 January games, reassuring Celtics fans that he’s back. Boston continues to shoot 3s at a historic page, taking over 48 per game. Thanks to the addition of Porzingis, they’re hitting more lately, moving up to 36.8%, which is 10th in the NBA, still significantly less than the Cavs’ NBA-leading 39.5%. Boston’s offense is 4th in rating, but 26th in pace. As the playoffs approach, Celtics fans hope to see more transition offense and energy. The 3-point heavy approach is smart in terms of analytics and strategic in terms of avoiding injury and depleting energy (especially mid-season), but in May and June, the Celtics will need to take the drive-and-kick variety that is impossible to defend with Porzingis standing 30 feet away from the rim, or the kind of 3 that stems from a series of passes and cuts and results with an open look from the corner. I see you, Derrick White.
3. New York Knicks (34–18)
After a 5–6 start, the Knicks found offensive flow and started to dominate, going 29–12 since that tough start. Incorporating Karl-Anthony Towns has taken some pressure off Brunson, which will help in the playoffs. New York has survived without a rim protector. Mitchell Robinson remains sidelined, but is expected to return before March. The Knicks are 2nd in offensive rating despite being 25th in pace. That portends playoffs success…as long as their defense can rise to the occasion. An open question.
4. Indiana Pacers (29–22)
Started 9–14. Since then: 20–8. The Pacers defense has stepped up since that terrible start, though they’re still 21st in defensive rating. Andrew Nembhard, one of the heroes of last year’s playoff run, with some surprisingly nasty games in the East Finals, missed time early. The Pacers are 23–12 when Nembhard has played. Nembhard adds cohesion and takes pressure off of Haliburton, whose 3-point accuracy has regressed this year. Indiana is 8th in pace. Their early season success last year was built on a blistering (an unsustainable) pace. The fact that they’ve overtaken the Bucks would give them home court in a 4/5 matchup. Pascal Siakam is quietly having a terrific season. Bennedict Mathurin adds some slashing and tenacity. The Pacers need a bit more shooting from Haliburton and Myles Turner to get back to the offensive heights of last winter. The Pacers are fun to watch. There’s that.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (28–24)
Brook Lopez was bound to decline. The bench was obviously thin. Giannis is still a supernova. Dame’s defensive issues are more obvious. There’s just not enough margin for error in Milwaukee. Adding Kyle Kuzma and dumping Khris Middleton is a sad end point on what had been a wonderful career arc. Middleton’s ankles aren’t there. One ankle issue is a problem. Two ankle issues? The Bucks got out from under his expensive player option next year. New addition Kuzma is on a rare descending-salary deal that lasts for two more years. Milwaukee is hoping a winning atmosphere can rejuvenate the 29 year-old Kuzma. The Pacers have a great shot at advancing if indeed the Pacers and Bucks meet in the first round, though Dame can still dust it off for a few games, and Giannis is still Giannis. That one would definitely go 7 games.
6. Detroit Pistons (27–26)
Mercy at last for Pistons fans. After several years of disappointment, the Cade Cunningham express is alive. Adding shooting around Cunningham has morphed this offense into a modern era crew. Malik Beasley is at 41% on over 9 3s per game. Beasley has exactly zero hesitation before he launches. It’s not uncommon for Beasley to take 20 shots, with 16 coming from beyond the arc. This freedom breeds confidence, albeit a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Still..41% on 9 shots is exactly what Detroit was missing for so long, and allows Cade to be Cade. Tim Hardaway Jr is at 38% on nearly 6 per game. Detroit is feisty and are currently in 6th in the East because of the Butler saga in Miami and Atlanta’s and Orlando’s injuries. Still feel bad for Jaden Ivey. Terrible luck.
7. Miami Heat (25–26)
Well…that was a mess. The return on the Butler deal wasn’t terrible, but they’re now left without a two-way star, as Bam Adebayo’s shooting hasn’t progressed. In the deal, Miami added defenders in Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins, and Kyle Anderson, the slo-motion wizard of the Association. The problem is playmaking, which is why both Mitchell and Wiggins were available.
For several (brutal for Celtics fans) playoff runs, Butler was their engine. They’ve transitioned to Tyler Herro, who’s had a solid offensive season, but gives away too much on the defensive end. Duncan Robinson and Nikola Jovic offer some spacing but don’t offer much rebounding or physicality. This is a true .500 team. They’ll need interesting and athletic rookie Kelel Ware and Jovic to take leaps in the coming months.
8. Atlanta Hawks (26–28)
Jalen Johnson’s injury ruined Atlanta’s hopes for a 45 to 48-win season and playoff optimism. Johnson is out for the year with a shoulder injury. The Hawks were rumored to be dangling Trae Young (under hefty contract for 2 more years) at the deadline. Nobody bit. Trae has once again put up big numbers, but without any efficiency. 33.6% from deep and nearly 5 turnovers per game. Trading DeAndre Hunter at the deadline makes them worse and was only about spending for future free-agents. The Hawks are limited by Trae’s feast or famine game. Jalen Johnson provides hope.
9. Orlando Magic (26–29)
Oblique injuries torpedoed the season. First Paolo Banchero then Franz Wagner. Beyond that, the in defatiguable Jalen Suggs has dealt with wrist, back and now quad injuries. Suggs is the glue and the stabilizer. He reminds me of Marcus Smart from 3–5 years ago. Orlando’s defense is legit. They need health, a balance between Franz and Paolo, and a bit more playmaking. Goga Bitadze had a great run at center to keep them afloat amidst the injuries. Jamahl Mosley remains an underrated motivator on the sidelines.
10. Chicago Bulls (22–31)
The Bulls actually traded Zach Lavine! The rumors are over. Years of rumors. The clickbait machine pauses for a moment of silence….then begins whirring back up again as it must.
Vucevic remains. A center who can’t defend or block shots is…well…not easy to trade, though he can shoot! Josh Giddey and Coby White remain entertaining. At one point, the pre-deadline rumor was that the Bulls were entertaining offers for everyone except young prospect Matas Buzelis, their lanky 20 year-old who can shoot. Take that however you like, The Chicago Bull-Buzelis.
11. Philadelphia 76ers (20–32)
Pure sadness and deep disappointment. Tyrese Maxey offers some degree of hope.
12. Brooklyn Nets (19–34)
Who knows where this subway train goes?
13. Toronto Raptors (16–37)
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett and…Brandon Ingram? Okay?! No point guards allowed.
14. Charlotte Hornets (13–38)
LaMelo Ball moves fast and does fun things. The fact that the Mark Williams trade was rescinded due to his failed physical epitomizes the situation in Charlotte. They tried to bring in some playmaking and potential in Dalton Knecht…but there was no connection.
15. Washington Wizards (9–44)
Cooper Flagg dreams. Poor Khris Middleton. Poor Marcus Smart. Left to languish in the shadows. The NBA can be a cruel place after age 30.
