With just six weeks left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, teams across the Eastern Conference are gearing up for a critical final push before the playoffs. While some are fighting for seeding, others are looking to solidify chemistry or improve specific aspects of their game. As the postseason nears, every game matters in shaping the playoff picture.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Secure the No. 1 Seed
The Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the East this season, and their primary goal is to maintain their position atop the conference standings. With a six-game lead over the Boston Celtics and one of the easiest remaining schedules, locking up the No. 1 seed—and securing home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs—should be well within reach.
Cleveland has been fantastic this season, but they would likely still be underdogs in a potential matchup against Boston in the conference finals. Having home-court advantage, particularly in a decisive Game 7 scenario, could make all the difference. As they look to close out the season strong, staying healthy remains a top priority.
Boston Celtics: Shift Into Playoff Mode
Despite an unexpected loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Boston has been on a roll, winning nine of its last 11 games. With all key players healthy, the Celtics are in a prime position to hit their stride at the perfect time.
The challenge for Boston has been maintaining intensity throughout the season. They’ve had stretches where they’ve gone through the motions, but now is the time to fully lock in for the playoffs. This means ramping up their defensive intensity, refining their offensive rhythm, and ensuring their stars are in peak form.
One key area to monitor is Jaylen Brown’s three-point shooting, which has dipped below 30% since the start of the new year. Getting him back on track from deep will be crucial. Meanwhile, Derrick White’s shooting has been a bright spot, and maintaining that momentum will be key. Defensively, the Celtics have looked like a championship-caliber unit, particularly when they allow Kristaps Porziņģis to focus on rim protection while their perimeter defenders handle opposing big men.
With a three-game lead over the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed—and the tiebreaker in hand—Boston isn’t necessarily playing for positioning. Instead, they need to use these final weeks to build the right energy and rhythm heading into the postseason.
New York Knicks: Reintegration of Mitchell Robinson
Robinson, who has yet to play this season, could return as early as this weekend. His presence adds an elite rim protector and offensive rebounder to a Knicks team that desperately needs a defensive boost. Since January 1st, New York has had the third-worst defensive rating in the league—a troubling trend for a team with playoff aspirations.
The Knicks will also have crucial matchups against the top teams in the East, with two games against the Cavaliers and one against the Celtics in the final two weeks of the season. While it’s unclear whether Cleveland and Boston will be playing their full lineups in those games, these matchups provide a significant test for the Knicks.
So far this season, New York has struggled against elite teams, posting an 0-7 record against Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City, with an average margin of defeat exceeding 20 points. If they truly want to be considered contenders, they’ll need to prove they can compete with the best. These upcoming games will be a great opportunity to build that confidence before the playoffs begin.