NBA: Predicting the East playoff picture at the midway point of the 2017-18 season

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a last second shot against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Heat defeat the Celtics 90-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a last second shot against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Heat defeat the Celtics 90-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shake hands after a Cavaliers 102-99 victory at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shake hands after a Cavaliers 102-99 victory at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Predicting the Eastern Conference playoff picture at the midway point of the 2017-18 NBA season

With the NBA hitting its halfway point for the 2017-18 season, the league is starting to sort itself out. We’re beginning to see who the real playoff contenders, title contenders and conference bottom feeders will be.

In the Eastern Conference, specifically, it’s essentially yearly battle to see who gets to take on – or, more precisely, lose – to LeBron James in the playoffs.

This season, there appears to be more potential challengers for The King and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland is looking more vulnerable than ever, and the Boston Celtics has all the looks of a true contender.

As the second half of the NBA season tips off, we predict the Eastern Conference playoff picture.