2021 NBA Playoffs Prediction: Eastern Conference Top 10 Ranking

#8 Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Devonte' Graham

Competing for the second play-in place in the East we believe will be the Charlotte Hornets. Thriving on the pick-up of Gordon Hayward in the offseason and rookie of the year candidate LaMelo Ball, the Hornets have surprised many NBA fans and currently hold 4th place.

However, with Ball potentially out for the rest of the season, we expect Charlotte to fall yet have enough talent to make it to the postseason. In the two games since his injury, the Hornets have beaten both the Spurs and Rockets on the road, with Terry Rozier taking control and averaging 24.5 points.

Both he and Hayward will be pivotal in Charlotte's hopes of making the play-in.

#9 Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers T.J. McConnell

A side many expected to do well this season have struggled of late. Indiana have fallen to 9th in the East where we expect them to stay after losing 10 of the past 16 matchups.

Although they are likely to compete with those tightly packed above them, it is difficult to gauge how the rest of the Pacers' season will go given their recent slump.

TJ Warren is out for the foreseeable future and Domantas Sabonis has not had the kind of scoring support he needs to help the Pacers compete. It is too late now but the Indiana front office really could have made some moves prior to the trade deadline - especially if they wanted to keep Sabonis happy going forward.

#10 Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks v Los Angeles Clippers

It's been a funny old season for the Atlanta Hawks. Filled with excitement from their offseason trades, poor defense and creative differences between Trae Young and John Collins saw head coach Lloyd Pierce dismissed.

In came Nate McMillan, who, in his opening 10 games, has led the Hawks up to fifth in the East, winning 8 of those matchups.

Trae Young finds Tony Snell to win it at the buzzer 🚨What a play by the Atlanta Hawks! pic.twitter.com/willIU5aov

— Sky Sports NBA (@SkySportsNBA) March 12, 2021

Bringing in Lou Williams was a great deal and will give Trae Young additional rest, knowing Williams can lead an Atlanta second unit on the floor. However, with their lack of experience and All-Star talent beyond Trae Young, it could be difficult for the Hawks to breach the East's top ten in the long-run.