2012 NBA Picks and Predictions: Eastern Conference Odds, Favorites and Sleepers

2012 NBA Picks and Predictions – Eastern Conference Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: The NBA’s Eastern Conference has been knocked in recent years for lacking the depth and talent of the Western Conference. While it may be true that the East isn’t as stout top to bottom, there is no denying that the teams at the top are legitimate NBA title contenders. After all, the conference is home to the defending champion Miami Heat, along with a Chicago team that has won more games in the NBA than any other team over the past two seasons. Not to mention that the last four MVPs have come from the Eastern Conference. With the 2012-13 NBA season fast approaching, here is a look at the top contenders from the much maligned but still dangerous Eastern Conference stack up.

2012 NBA Eastern Conference Odds, Picks and Predictions

The Favorite

The defending NBA champion Miami Heat have won the Eastern Conference in each of the past two seasons. With three-time MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all still under contract, the superstar core of the team is still intact. Not to mention that offseason additions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis only give Miami more perimeter firepower. If anything, the Heat actually got better in the offseason. While repeating as champs isn’t a given, James and company certainly look like a safe bet to win the Eastern Conference for the third year in a row.

The Dark Horses

They had two chances to knock of the Miami Heat and advance to the NBA Finals last year, but the Boston Celtics couldn’t get it done. Yes, they lost Ray Allen in the offseason and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a year older, but the window isn’t quite closed on this team yet. Point guard Rajon Rondo is a walking triple-double, Jason Terry will replace some of the perimeter scoring lost with Allen’s departure, and Jeff Green returns following heart surgery to provide athleticism and scoring. Perhaps most importantly, Garnett and Pierce aren’t afraid of the Heat. Boston’s efficient offense and strong half-court defense will make them a factor in the postseason.

With 50 wins last year, the Chicago Bulls won the most games in the NBA during the regular season for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, an injury to former MVP Derrick Rose resulted in a first-round playoff exit and could result in a slow start to 2012-13 as Rose rehabs his knee. That being said, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are all back for a team that led the NBA in scoring defense and ranked second in field goal percentage defense. Chicago’s stifling defense will keep them in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, and Rose could return just in time for a big playoff run.

The Sleepers

A huge offseason has given the Brooklyn Nets the firepower to compete in the Eastern Conference immediately. The backcourt of point guard Deron Williams and shooting guard Joe Johnson is top notch, and the frontcourt of Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez isn’t too shabby either. MarShon Brooks is an intriguing second-year player that has proven he can score, and there is no reason this team shouldn’t make the playoffs. The only question is can all the new parts gel quick enough to make a title run in their first year together.

The Indiana Pacers were one of the bigger surprises in the Eastern Conference last season, and after resigning Roy Hibbert, the team still has the true center separates it from the rest of the conference. David West, Danny Granger and Paul George are also back from last year’s starting five, and George Hill is a solid scorer off the bench. With most of their pieces back in place, the Pacers should return the playoffs. What could set this year’s group apart from last year’s is the addition of point guard D.J. Augustin. If he can be the floor general that Darren Collison never figured out how to be, Indiana could be even better in 2012-13.

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