Dallas Mavericks: Predicting the Eastern Conference standings

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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Bubble Teams

The teams that will have a chance at the playoffs this year and some of them that will make it are considered the bubble teams.

9. Detroit Pistons

The 8th seed from last year’s playoffs will be back in the mix again this year, although I think they will fall just short this time. With most of their core intact from last year, I expect we will see a similar season with Blake Griffin continuing to play at an All-Star level, Andre Drummond continuing to be under-appreciated and Reggie Jackson still somehow starting at point guard.

The team made a few minor changes, but I really don’t think any of them move the needle all that much. This team is built around its two big stars and they are just not strong enough to compete with the better teams in the East.

Another 41-41 season seems pretty fitting for this bunch.

8. Toronto Raptors

Dallas Mavericks

The shock team of the year was undoubtedly the Toronto Raptors, who turned their lone season with one of the best players in the league into a championship. Kawhi Leonard elected to leave the great white north after 60 regular season games with the team, but he brought them home their first ever title so they can’t really be too upset.

The Raptors won 58 games last year and even went 17-5 in the games that Kawhi didn’t play in, but I just think the loss of he and Danny Green is going to be noticed quickly. I’m not sure that Pascal Siakam is ready to jump into the lead scoring role for this team just yet.

Toronto getting 15 fewer wins than last year would seem harsh without some context, but knowing how the team looks now compared to then, 43 wins doesn’t seem too farfetched.

7. Miami Heat

The addition of Jimmy Butler is certainly going to move the needle for the Miami Heat this year, but anything past the 7-seed would seem unwarranted. The rest of the roster is pretty much the same, which is to say solid but not overwhelmingly exciting. The drafting of Tyler Herro and KZ Okpala were both good moves, but not enough to really move the team into the contenders groups.

Jimmy Butler can be a bit of a head case as well, something that will have to worry Miami fans a little bit. Still, they are clearly a playoff team now and could be ready to make a splash in the trade market to make them even better.

Miami and Toronto will probably finish close together with 42-43 wins.

Next: Not Quite Contenders

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