2021 NBA Playoffs Prediction: Eastern Conference Top 10 Ranking

#4 Miami Heat

Victor Oladipo was traded to the Miami Heat this week

With only one game off 4th currently, we believe the Miami Heat will lead the East's chasing pack come the playoffs. Pat Riley pulled off the move all Heat fans were expecting when he brought Victor Oladipo in at the deadline on Thursday.

He simultaneously managed to keep sharpshooters Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, strengthening the team considerably.

Although they have dealt with injuries and inconsistency all season, bringing in the former All-Star to play alongside Butler and Adebayo puts Miami right back into the mix to compete in the playoffs.

They have rediscovered their defensive form and have a system Oladipo will fit perfectly into. They've conceded the sixth-least points per matchup over the last ten games despite losing five of those.

#5 New York Knicks

New York Knicks' Reggie Bullock

The boldest prediction on this list will probably excite Knicks fans. Tom Thibodeau has sparked some magic back into the illustrious franchise and has his young side competing for New York's first playoff appearance since 2013.

All season, the Knicks have flirted above and below the .500 record, a record that could even be enough to get them into the postseason. However, we believe they have what it takes to stay above and challenge Miami in a defense-fuelled first round matchup.

Thibodeau has re-focused the Knicks' attention on defense, which currently ranks 4th in the NBA. They give up the least field goals and points per game and are ranked inside the top ten for offensive rebounds and 3-points allowed.

RJ Barrett made his 100th career start last night.He is one of four players in NBA history to tally more than 1,500 points, more than 500 boards and more than 250 assists in his first 100 starts before turning 21.The other four are:LeBron James,Carmelo Anthony,Luka Doncic

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) March 26, 2021

Combine that with exciting young guard RJ Barrett and All-Star Julius Randle, and you have a winning team on your hands. The sky really is the limit for this young Knicks team.

#6 Boston Celtics

Washington Wizards v Boston Celtics

Having had a disappointing season so far, the Boston Celtics come into our top 10 in sixth. While they have two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the C's have just lost Daniel Theis to Chicago and are now no longer physical or bigger in the paint.

At least Danny Ainge didn't trade away defensive leader Marcus Smart. Boston are currently a bottom-7 defensive side, which Smart's absence hasn't helped. They will have to drastically improve their performances if they are to avoid the play-in games.

#7 Chicago Bulls

Orlando Magic v Indiana Pacers

The Chicago Bulls were one of the biggest winners in this year's NBA trade deadline, which lands them on 7th in our final conference predictions. Bringing in Nikola Vucevic from Orlando was a major coup for the Bulls. This pairs the All-Star center alongside Zach LaVine, while also acquiring rotation pieces Daniel Theis and Al-Farouq Aminu.

"I've always wanted to play with a dominant big... the combination of us in pick & roll and pick & pop is going to be deadly." -Zach on playing with Vooch. pic.twitter.com/VG1VkO4B4L

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 26, 2021

That puts the Bulls' season expectations into a new sphere, looking up instead of down and will do the world of good at persuading LaVine to stay with the franchise in the future.

With a tightly packed East around them, Chicago are going to have to seriously up their defensive stature - something Vucevic will assist with.

The Bulls' new big man ranks 2nd overall for defensive rebounds in the last ten matchups with 10.1 a night and made up for 20% of the Magic's steals in that time.