History dictates OKC Thunder are headed for postseason via the 20 game performance theory

Eastern squads most likely to make the cut:

If I had to guess on who makes the cut as crazy as it sounds I think the Wizards (barring them blowing it up) will continue their recent winning ways. The Heat have historically gone on big win streaks, but they’ll need a trade or some luck with health in order to get there.

Who then falls out of the eight current seeded east squads? Orlando seems to be the team on the bubble, however I’m not convinced the Pistons can maintain their winning ways or that Blake Griffin can make it through an entire campaign healthy.

Charlotte seems like a logical team to cite as unsteady, but as I’ve previously noted their net differential points to them being one of the strongest squads in the NBA (rank third in east and sixth in the league for net differential) although that enigma existed last season too.

Ultimately I think six of the current seeded east teams will advance and the last three seeds will come down to a dogfight between the  Hornets, Wizards, Pistons, Magic and Heat. For the top seeded teams in the east that means they can expect a scrappy first round as all of these five squads will bring aggressive old school ball to play.