5. Miami Heat (31-14)
The Heat could not have scripted themselves a better first-half of the season. Jimmy Butler has played well as the lead dog, but I would pump the brakes at this point by saying it’s going to take a lot more than Jimmy Buckets to win an Eastern Conference title. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has coached up this group using defensive 2-3 zone schemes you’re only likely to see in College Hoops. The Heat have also received unlikely production from guys like Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Meyers Leonard, as well as the emergence of stat-stuffing big-man Bam Adebayo.
That said, it’s going to be difficult for the Heat to make it out of the first round, and I’d be extremely surprised if they ended up winning two playoff rounds. Simply put, their roster likely won’t stack up talent-wise with the East’s top teams (Milwaukee, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, and possibly even Indiana).
6. Toronto Raptors (31-14)
The Champs have been getting very little respect, whether it’s Vegas (setting a low-ball win-total line of just 46.5), or the general public and sports media who refuse to think the Raps can make any sort of noise without Kawhi Leonard. It’s important to remember that last season, Toronto went 17-5 without Leonard in the lineup. Nick Nurse remains an underrated coach who is able to find success irrespective of whoever’s on the floor.
The Raptors have played much of the season without key guys in the lineup – whether it’s Lowry, Vanvleet, Siakam, Ibaka, or Gasol, but are still on pace to win 53 games. This team is usually always well prepared, has excellent schemes/playcalling, and plays hard no matter what the circumstance. All things considered, the Raptors should really be buyers at the trade deadline and chalk it up to me being a homer, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they found a way to make some serious noise in the East, again.