2010 Eastern Conference Preview: Regular Season and Playoff Predictions

The 2010 NBA preseason is in full swing. While no one knows for sure what will happen, it is always fun to predict. Here is a look at how things might turn out in the eastern conference, including both the regular season and the playoffs. Stay tuned for the western conference previews and season awards.

Division Standings

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 08: LeBron James #6 and Dwayne Wade #3 of the Miami Heat talk prior to the start of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 8, 2010 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Image

Southeast

1. Miami 66-16

2. Orlando 58-24

3. Atlanta 43-39

4. Charlotte 39-43

5. Washington 33- 49

Central

1. Chicago 56-26

2. Milwaukee 48-34

3. Indiana 36-46

4. Cleveland 32-50

5. Detroit 31-51

Atlantic

1. Boston 52-30

2. New York 41-41

3. New Jersey 38-44

4. Philadelphia 30- 52

5. Toronto 24-58

Easter Conference Round 1

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BOSTON - MAY 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic gestures as he runs up court against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER

(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) Charlotte Bobcats- Miami wins this series in five games, as Charlotte sneaks one out in Game 3. The Bobcats just make the playoffs, barely edging out the New Jersey Nets. Dwyane Wade and Co. get off to a good start on their path to a hopeful NBA Championship.

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) New York Knicks- The Knicks addition of Amare Stoudemire proves to be a good one as it gets them back into the playoffs, but is not enough as Orlando sweeps New York.

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks- Chicago takes the Central Division easily with Lebron James' departure from Cleveland. Atlanta falls to third in their division and loses to the Bulls in six games as the inside-outside game of Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer outplays anything the Hawks can come up with.

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks- The Celtics are once again in cruise control for the regular season but still win the division with no real competition. Milwaukee continues their improvement and take Boston to Game 6 before falling to the more talented and experienced Celtics.

Eastern Conference Round 2

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 27: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against Antawn Jamison #4 and Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans

Eastern Conference Round 2

(1) Miami Heat vs. (4) Boston Celtics- Miami's first true test of the 2010 Playoffs comes against a familiar foe. With both Dwyane Wade and Lebron James getting bounced from the 2009 Playoffs by the Boston Celtics, revenge is the motivating factor. The Celtics age shows in this series and Boston falls to Miami in six games.

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (3) Chicago Bulls- In the East's first upset, Chicago eliminates Orlando in seven. Dwight Howard abuses Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer inside, but gets little help outside of that. The three point shooting that Orlando relies on heavily is nowhere to be found. Live by the three, die by the three.

Eastern Conference Finals

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SAN ANTONIO - OCTOBER 09: LeBron James #6, Dwayne Wade #3, and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat sit on the bench during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center on October 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackno

(1) Miami Heat vs. (3) Chicago Bulls- The two teams that had the best off-season, meet in the conference finals. Miami's two biggest question marks, center and point guard, meet their toughest test yet in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Much like in their 2006 meeting, both teams win their first two home games and head into Game 5 all tied up. Miami continues to hold down the home court and dispatches the Bulls in Chicago. 

Miami will meet the L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals and win in seven.