NBA predictions 2024-25: Win-loss records for Celtics, Knicks and every East team

After a myriad of offseason moves that brought superstars like Mikal Bridges across the Brooklyn Bridge to the New York Knicks and Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers, the battle for the top of the East is as competitive as it’s been in years.

The Milwaukee Bucks, after another early exit from the postseason, will lean on continuity, with superstar duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and head coach Doc Rivers running it back for a second season together.

Will Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers make another surprising postseason run? Which struggling team will find its footing? And who can compete with a potential Boston Celtics dynasty in the making?

Our expert panel predicts the win-loss records for all 15 teams in the East.

The Celtics sit atop our Eastern Conference projections for the third year in a row, and for good reason. They made a dominant run through the East last season, going 64-18 in the regular season, and lost only three games in the postseason to claim the franchise’s 18th championship — ending a 16-year title drought and making Boston the winningest franchise in NBA history.

The Celtics return their elite core after extending Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, and will lean on 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown as their defensive anchor. The healthy return of Kristaps Porzingis, out for a large portion of the beginning of the season with a leg injury, will play a big factor in their success, after the big man had a commanding performance in his first season in Boston.

The Knicks and the 76ers are neck and neck in our predictive standings, at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, with a budding tristate rivalry after an exciting six-game first-round series last season. The “Nova Knicks” will rally behind breakout point guard Jalen Brunson and recently re-signed OG Anunoby, while the 76ers are hoping their superstar trio of Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey can push Philadelphia to the Finals.

After much speculation about the potential disbandment of the Cavaliers’ backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, they return a strong starting five that includes twin bigs Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.