NBA: 10 big questions after the first month of the season

NBA Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
4 of 10
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers Collin Sexton (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)

Which surprise team in the East will make the playoffs?

The Eastern Conference standings are a mess right now. There are a few teams that many expected to be playoff teams that aren’t in the top 8 and two “surprise” teams that are hovering around the top of the conference standings. That leads me to think, which of these surprise teams will make the playoffs this season?

The Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics are likely locks to make the playoffs. You’d assume that the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks are also good bets to make the playoffs. That leaves one potential spot for the New York Knicks (don’t laugh), Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls to fight for.

Who will it be? Which of these teams will continue to build off their good and fast start to the 2020-21 NBA season? At this point, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d lean for the Cavs. I absolutely love what they’ve done, and without Kevin Love.