It’s that exciting time of the year – the NBA Playoffs. The time when teams seem to try a little bit harder.

Where drama and stories unfold, and where we finally crown the year’s champion.

Eighty-two games for each team to determine the top six seeds, and a few extra games for the play-in tournament, and our playoff picture is complete.

After already looking at the Western Conference contenders, it’s time to look at the Eastern teams.

1st Seed Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers had the best record in the east, finishing three games ahead of last year’s champions Boston Celtics. Early on, they looked on pace to tie the Warriors’ season record.

They have good scoring output, having the best offensive rating this season. The Cavaliers also have Evan Mobley in conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. They should be able to get past the Miami Heat in the first round.

They will back themselves to go all the way. However, they still need to get past the Celtics, whom they lost to last year 4-1in the second round. They won’t face the Celtics until the conference finals this time around, though.

2nd Seed Boston Celtics

The reigning champions are poised to go back-to-back. Are they as dominant, though? Last season, they finished top of the east and only dropped three matches in the playoffs to earn the trophy.

This season, Boston are 10th in offensive rating per game and seventh in defensive rating per game. Last season, they were the number one defensive rating team per game.

Jayson Tatum with Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

They did have some injuries this year with Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis missing matches. Payton Pritchard could very well be the Sixth Man of the Year, showing depth on the bench.

Not as dominant this season, but they will be there or thereabouts and deserve to be in the Championship conversation.

3rd Seed New York Knicks

The Knicks continue to be a strong side in the east. They have continued to add pieces. Karl Anthony Towns was a big addition to the Knicks, helping Jalen Brunson with scoring and helping to crash the boards.

The concern for the Knicks, though, they struggled against the top sides, losing all their matches to OKC, Celtics and Cavaliers throughout the season.

Should the progress against the Detroit Pistons, they will need to be at their best to overcome the best teams. Knicks fans are used to disappointment, and this may be another season of not going deep into the playoffs.

4th Seed Indiana Pacers

The Pacers finished 14 games behind the Cavaliers, and they just quietly went about their business. The Pacers had the ninth-best offensive rating but the 13th-best defensive rating.

Last season, they made it to the conference finals before being swept by the Celtics. They play the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, as they did last year.

They had a losing record against the Bucks throughout the regular season. Should they find a way to overcome the Bucks in the first round, that’s probably where the run ends.

5th Seed Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks will be disappointed with their season. Injury hindered their success. Damian Lillard has been out since March with blood clots in his right calf.

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to dominate, averaging over 30 points and 11 rebounds a game.

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Outside of Antetokounmpo and Lillard, though, the next best scorer is Kyle Kuzma with just over 14 points a game. The Bucks find themselves outside the top 10 in both offensive and defensive ratings this season.

Losing to the Pacers first round may fuel them in the playoffs, but good chance they lose to the Pacers again despite a winning record throughout the season.

6th Seed Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are the surprise team of the season. They finished last in the east in the previous season but found themselves sixth this year.

Cade Cunningham could be the winner of the Most Improved Player this season. For a playoff team, the Pistons have a poor offensive rating, sitting 16th in the league.

They have surpassed expectations this year and could make an early exit in the playoffs. However, they won the regular season battle against the Knicks 3-1 this season.

7th Seed Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic continues to grow and develop, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, both averaging over 24 points a game. Orlando had the second-best defensive rating, but they were 27th in offensive rating this season.

They are a developing team and should see the playoffs for the next few years, but this isn’t their year to go deep. Facing the Celtics first will be a big ask. They may be competitive and win one game, but beating them in this series is very unlikely.

8th Seed Miami Heat

The Miami Heat claimed the final spot in the east after two convincing playoff wins.

They are no stranger to the playoffs, having made it the last five seasons and coming second in the 2023 season. Tyler Herro has become the face of the organisation, leading the offence with almost 24 points a game.

Cleveland won the regular-season match-up 2-1, but the Heat’s one win came with Jimmy Butler on board. Miami is a proud team and will look to be competitive against Cleveland.

They may push them to a Game 5 or 6, but hard to see them advancing.