If The NBA Season Ended Today: Eastern Conference Playoff Scenarios

I realize we are only 15 games into the 2008-2009 season, but I cannot resist postseason predictions.

I will update these predictions at the start of each month of the season to keep track of the changes within the league, and to follow the rise and falls of each contender. 

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Celtics (16-2) vs. 8. New York Knicks (8-8)

Boston is playing with an incredible fire in defense of their championship—and if they can keep up the pace, they should have the number-one seed in the East.

However, they will have some serious competition from the Cavs, who are off to their best start in team history.

The Celtics are currently in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, with their only losses of the season coming in two hiccups against the Pacers and Nuggets. In the month of December, the Celtics face opponents with a combined record of 110-105, which should give them some good competition and challenges as they continue their quest for a second-straight title.

If they can make it through here with at least a 10-5 record, they should be in good position to remain at the top of the East.

The Knicks are playing with a fire and urgency that hasn't been seen in the Big Apple since the late '90s. Mike D'antoni has energized his young squad with a style of playing that can only be described as "fun."

The big question is, can they keep this up?

While they have a chance to sneak into the playoffs with a .500 record or just below, there are better teams in this conference than in years past who will test them, and battle for a spot in the playoffs.

The Knicks' longest winning streak has been three games, but was against two sub-.500 teams and an injury-plagued Jazz squad. In the month of December, the Knicks face opponents with a combined record of 138-102—definitely a tough test for a young team.

If the Knicks can make it through this hard month with a .500 record, they should establishe confidence and a consistency that can carry them through the season. 

This would be an intriguing series if it came to be. D'Antoni and the Knicks trying to prove themselves against a more experienced, star-powered Celtics team. This could be a potential rivalry in the making if New York comes through in the summer of 2010 with some big-name free agents. But that's thinking too far in the future.

Series: Boston in Five.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-3) vs. 7. Toronto Raptors (8-8)

Cleveland is off to its best start in franchise history as LeBron James cools off after his high-scoring 2007-2008 season with a modest 27 ppg, six apg, and seven rpg.

The Cavs have one eight-game winning streak under their belts, are currently riding a five-game winning streak, and are showing no signs of slowing down. It is obvious that their success in the 2007 post-season, where they pushed the Celtics to Game Seven in the Eastern Conference Semis, along with the rumors that James is going to run off to New York in 2010, has only further motivated this team.

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