Eastern Outlook: Raptors and Heat Tipped to Climb, Pistons Face Possible Regression
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ESPN’s Tim Bontemps expects two Eastern Conference teams—the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat—to outperform preseason projections, while cautioning that the Detroit Pistons could struggle to match last year’s surge.
Raptors Aim for Immediate Turnaround
Toronto finished 30-52 last season after focusing on lottery position, and newly acquired forward Brandon Ingram never appeared in a game following his mid-season trade from New Orleans. Bontemps notes that president Masai Ujiri signaled a win-now approach by extending Ingram and committing to the luxury tax. Barring major injuries, the Raptors are viewed as unlikely to land near the bottom of the East again.
Pistons Bracing for a Plateau
Detroit leapt from 14 victories to 44 in 2023-24, earning its first playoff berth since 2019 and its first postseason win since 2008. Cade Cunningham emerged as an All-NBA performer, but Bontemps suggests such dramatic improvements are often followed by a leveling-off year.
The front office appeared to plan accordingly: Duncan Robinson replaces Tim Hardaway Jr., Caris LeVert steps in for Malik Beasley, and a healthy Jaden Ivey is expected to take the minutes vacated by Dennis Schroder, now in Sacramento. The Pistons still rely on a young core—Cunningham, Ivey, Ron Holland, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson—and should contend for a top-six seed even if they fall short of last season’s breakthrough.
Heat Look to Bounce Back
Miami ended 2023-24 at 37-45, slipping into the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed before Cleveland ended its campaign. Trade speculation surrounding Jimmy Butler lingered throughout the year, but reinforcements have arrived.
Norman Powell, who averaged 21.8 points for the Clippers, joins an offense that ranked 21st in scoring efficiency. The Heat were 14-28 in clutch situations—third worst league-wide—something the club hopes Powell can help correct. Coupled with what Bontemps views as a weakened conference, Miami is considered a strong candidate to surpass expectations.
Source: Hoops Wire
