NBA: 2022-23 Eastern Conference pre-season playoff projections

Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
9 of 10
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

1. Milwaukee Bucks

It was a disappointing title defense for the Milwaukee Bucks last season but injuries played a big part in the team not making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. If Khris Middleton is healthy, who knows how that series against the Boston Celtics goes?

Piggybacking off that idea, I believe that we’re going to see a Bucks team that will play with a chip on its shoulder this season. In the East, all the talk has surrounded the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. However, the Bucks should not be a team that is overlooked in the East.

Milwaukee still has the best player in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and one of the league’s most underrated two-way guards, Jrue Holiday. With a reloaded supporting cast, the Bucks will be a problem in the East this season. And they will prove that during the regular season.