Top Seeds In Eastern Conference
Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry
Miami earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. There were a few hiccups along the way, but they overcame every obstacle that was put in front of them. Now, it’s time to navigate the postseason.
Their biggest X-Factor is Kyle Lowry. Lowry is a proven champion, helping win an NBA Title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. His production has dipped with Miami, but this is when they need him to turn it on the most. He was brought here to help get the Heat over the hump and will be a determining factor in if they succeed.
Boston Celtics: Robert Williams III
The Celtics had an impressive turnaround. At one point in mid-January, they were behind the New York Knicks in the standings, but something clicked and they turned it on. This team will go as far as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take them.
Their X-Factor is Robert Williams III, who is currently dealing with a torn meniscus and was given a 4-6 week timetable. Without him, their defense hasn’t been as strong as he was their anchor. They drew an incredibly difficult first-round matchup against the Nets, where Marcus Smart will be the X-Factor. He will be tasked with slowing down one of Durant or Irving and if he finds success, the Celtics are in a great spot to win the series.
Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez
The defending champion Bucks will likely not have home-court advantage beyond the first round of the playoffs. But, given their experience, that isn’t something that should bother them. They won the NBA Finals in 2021 despite the Phoenix Suns having home-court advantage.
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Bobby Portis is their X-Factor this year. He was excellent filling in for Brook Lopez while he was sidelined recovering from a procedure on his back. Portis is a spark plug off the bench but in some scenarios will have to play heavy minutes. There are some matchups that Lopez just cannot be used in, which is when Portis will be called upon to carry the load.
Philadelphia 76ers: Tobias Harris
The 76ers acquired James Harden at the trade deadline from the Brooklyn Nets, making them instant title contenders. He hasn’t looked great with his new team, and his shooting is a major X-Factor for the team as they need him to score the ball.
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Another X-Factor to keep an eye on is Tobias Harris. He has been better recently, finding his niche on the team and knocking down 3-pointers at an impressive clip. That needs to continue throughout the postseason, as Harris’s best strength is his ability to score, but his opportunities dwindled with Harden in town. He has to make the most of the opportunities presented to him.
