NBA 2019-20: All about the Eastern Conference sides this season

The NBA season is set to commence on October 23, 2019, when defending champions Toronto Raptors take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Let us have a look at everything you need to know about the NBA Eastern Conference ahead of the new season.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference is one of the two conferences that make up the league, with the other being the Western Conference. The Conference is made up of 15 teams, that are divided into 3 divisions, which hail from all the eastern parts of the country. Last season, the Conference final was won by eventual NBA champions Toronto Raptors. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference final.

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Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were the top-ranked team heading into the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. However, different challenges await them this time as they have lost the likes of Malcolm Brogdon but have Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews and Kyle Korver to cover for his absence. With Giannis Antetokounmpo's presence, the Bucks can still fancy their chances to go one step and win the Conference finals to stand a chance of winning the NBA title. 

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Toronto Raptors

The defending champions have also lost major stars in Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in the draft. Though the departures without adequate replacements might hurt the Raptors, they are set to rely on Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry to continue their defence in a strong fashion.

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Philadelphia 76ers

Al Horford's signing is a major one for the Philadelphia 76ers, despite concerns of him slowing down as of late. The Sixers lost Jimmy Butler but have managed to replace him with Josh Richardson, while they must be hoping Ben Simmons comes through for the Sixers to have a major say in the Conference standings.

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Boston Celtics

17-time NBA champions Boston Celtics finished 4th in the conference last season and have already lost Horford to the Sixers. However, they can have a lot of hopes going into the season as Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, Vincent Poirier have come in along with draft picks such as Romeo Langford and Grant Williams.

Indiana Pacers

A return of Victor Oladipo is set to already boost the Indiana Pacers, but the acquisition of a potential breakout-star in Malcolm Brogdon will make the Pacers a formidable outfit this season.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have made major acquisitions in the form of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan while losing a young star in D’Angelo Russell, as well as a number of solid veterans who were integral to the team’s playoff run last season. They have already lost Durant through injury and may need to bank on the existing squad for some form of inspiration.

New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards have all been busy in the off-season and any of the sides can spring up a potential surprise in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks and the 76ers are the favourites for the Conference title.