Celtics Claim Eastern Conference Championship After a Dominant Second Half

The Boston Celtics had a dominant second halve of the regular season (17-5) to boost them into the playoffs on a high note. The Celtics made easy work of the presumptive Eastern Conference favorites, Brooklyn Nets, in a four-game sweep. From there the Celtics were forced to face the defending champs in Milwaukee, where they once again prevailed, but in a tense seven-game series. Ultimately, Boston squared off against the Miami Heat in another grueling seven game series, where they won nail-biter on the road to secure their spot in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Updated June 10, 2022 at 12:42 PM EST

Jump To: Atlantic | Central | Southeast

Atlantic Division

Jump To: Boston Celtics | Brooklyn Nets | New York Knicks | Philadelphia 76ers | Toronto Raptors

The Nets hold a razor thin advantage over the rest of the Atlantic Division, but the 76ers are breathing down their necks. The Celtics, Raptors, and Knicks are not too far behind and could easily reduce the gap between themselves and Brooklyn with a little win streak, especially right now as the Nets are not at full strength. Keep an eye on the Brooklyn Nets' form over the next few weeks as they desperately try to fend off the rest of the division while they get healthy and make a push in the second half of the season. For the rest of the division, will they be able to win consistently enough to close the gap or even overtake the Nets? Most eyes are on the 76ers and their established core of veterans who know how to win in the regular season.

Central Division

Jump To: Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks

The Central Division is a surprisingly competitive race in the Eastern Conference. The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks shockingly find themselves a few games adrift of the top spot in the division. Despite dealing with a recent rash of injuries, the Chicago Bulls find themselves leading the way. Most shockingly, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were expected to finish near the bottom of the league in 2022, are right in the thick of things early on. While the Bucks are still the odds on favorite to take the Central, they are currently getting everything that they can handle and more. How long until they take the reins on the division, or will the Bulls and Cavs keep them at bay?

Southeast Division

Jump To: Atlanta Hawks | Charlotte Hornets | Miami Heat | Orlando Magic | Washington Wizards

The Miami Heat are sitting strong atop the Southeast, which has become commonplace in the division over the years. A disappointing season so far from the Atlanta Hawks has minimized some of the Southeast competition, leaving only the Hornets and Wizards as potential threats to the Heat. Perhaps the biggest question in the Southeast is whether or not a very young Charlotte Hornets team, led by LaMelo Ball, will have the ability to maintain a level of consistency throughout the season to push the Heat to the brink. Don't be surprised if either the Hornets or the Wizards make some noise at the trade deadline to propel their playoff chances.

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Updated January 27, 2022 at 2:25pm EST.