As we all know the 2018 NBA Playoffs has just begun, it brings a lot of hype as the regular season was crazy this year. In the East there were also a lot of surprises, with last years Eastern Conference Champions the Cleveland Cavaliers just the 4th seed. Will there be a new representative for the Eastern Conference this year? The Raptors have won the East during the regular season, followed by Boston which is missing its superstars Kyrie Irving, and Gordon Hayward to injuries. Then a surprising 3rd seed for the trust the process Philadelphia 76ers lead by Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid.

Here were the final standings in the Eastern Conference:

Eastern	W	L
Toronto	59	23
Boston	55	27
Philadelphia	52	30
Cleveland	50	32
Indiana	48	34
Miami	44	38
Milwaukee	44	38
Washington	43	39

The Matchups

Toronto Raptors(1st Seed) VS Washington Wizards(8th Seed)

This match up is straight forward, I think the Raptors will edge it out easily unless John Wall and Bradley Beal have something to say. The Raptors I think will show up this time compared to last years Playoffs.

My Verdict: Raptors in 5
Toronto Raptors 4 - 1 Washington Wizards

Boston Celtics(2nd Seed) VS Milwaukee Bucks(7th Seed)

This match up is a little bit tricky, with Kyrie Irving out and injured the young core of the Celtics must step up. Tatum, Brown, and Horford would need to handle the load. I think the Bucks will cause an upset in this series with Giannis if he can put up his monster stats including the help of Eric Bledsoe I think they can win this series with the absence of key players from Boston.

My Verdict: Bucks in 7
Milwaukee Bucks 4 - 3 Boston Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers(3rd Seed) VS Miami Heat(6th Seed)

This match up is straight forward too in my opinion with Philadelphia red hot at the the end of the regular season with the winning streak, I think they can edge out Miami in a couple of games. Game 1 was played earlier where the Sixers won without All Star Center Joel Embiid, that says it all.

My Verdict: Sixers in 5
Philadelphia 76ers 4 - 1 Miami Heat

Cleveland Cavaliers(4th Seed) VS Indiana Pacers(5th Seed)

This match up is a little bit tricky, with the emergence of Victor Oladipo for the Pacers I think they can cause Cleveland a lot of trouble. Cleveland is getting better, as long as their players remain healthy I think they can go far in the playoffs, LeBron always shows up in the post season.

My Verdict: Cleveland in 6
Cleveland Cavaliers 4 - 2 Indiana Pacers

So that is it that is my predictions for the First Round in the East, so let us sit back and relax and enjoy the Playoffs. I will be following up a recap on the match ups if my predictions were correct when the first round series officialy ends.

Thank you very much for reading!

Image Credits:

http://www.nba.com/article/2018/04/12/numbers-preview-raptors-1-vs-wizards-8
https://www.celticsblog.com/2018/4/12/17230898/tale-of-the-tape-boston-celtics-vs-milwaukee-bucks-2018-nba-playoffs
https://news.wagertalk.com/miami-heat-vs-philadelphia-76ers-game-1-spread-prediction/
https://www.fearthesword.com/2018/4/12/17228710/playoff-schedule-cleveland-cavaliers-indiana-pacers