NBA: Way-too-early prediction of the 16 playoff teams for the 2020-21 season

Way-too-early NBA playoff predictions for 2020-21

NBA training camps for the 2020-21 season are slated to open December 1, and preseason is expected to follow shortly after. After quite the unpredictable playoffs in the NBA’s restart, there’s plenty of intrigue heading into the new season.

We begin with predicting the eight playoff teams in the Eastern Conference. As expected, the Milwaukee Bucks checks in at No. 1 with the expectation that they’ll pick up where they left off last season.

1. Milwaukee Bucks

After an offseason in which they acquired Jrue Holiday and added to their depth (even though they lost Wes Matthews), the expectation is that the Milwaukee Bucks will be a top seed in the Eastern Conference again. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Holiday, the Bucks will still be considered the class of the East.

Even though this team was disappointing in the playoffs, it would be quite a surprise if the Bucks didn’t make a deep run in the playoffs. They’re going to have a chip on their shoulders in 2020-21 and they’ll be a favorite to make the NBA Finals.