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Power ranking the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Eastern Conference

By Tyler Marling

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach (left) and Cleveland big Kevin Love. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach (left) and Cleveland big Kevin Love. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat Jimmy Butler (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

#9 – Chicago Bulls – composite score – 18.4

Projected starting lineup – Tomas Satoransky, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr.

Rookie point guard Coby White will likely take over the starting point guard duties at some point but for now, according to Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, the job is Tomas Satoransky’s.

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The Bulls have a chance to really break out this year and should be legitimate threats at making the Eastern Conference playoffs. Zach LaVine had a break out year last year. Basketball-Reference had his per-game averages at 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Now they’ve upgraded the point guard spot.

Otto Porter Jr. is an excellent small forward. Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. need to stay healthy this season. According to Basketball-Reference, Markkanen played 52 games and Carter Jr. 44 games last season.

If both of those guys are healthy, look for the Bulls to push the next two teams for a playoff spot.

#8 – Orlando Magic – composite score – 16.8

Projected starting lineup – D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Nikola Vucevic.

The Orlando Magic were one of the more surprising teams in the NBA last season when they grabbed they eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

This season they will once again be looking at grabbing a playoff spot behind All-Star play from Nikola Vucevic and another year of growth from Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Gordon was impressive last season and Isaac sure had his moments, especially defensively.

The Magic will have to get better play from their backcourt as Evan Fournier was a bit of a disappointment. They have Terrence Ross coming off of the bench and he can really fill it up. If they can turn Markelle Fultz around, they will be a very tough out.

#7 – Miami Heat – composite score – 18

Projected starting lineup – Justise Winslow, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, James Johnson, Bam Adebayo

The projected Miami Heat lineup today and when KJG did the position rankings look a little different. At the time of the rankings, Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters were the projected starters in the backcourt. Now it’s clear, after the preseason, that Justise Winslow and rookie sharpshooter Tyler Herro will man the guard spots.

The Heat have the makings of a solid team in the East but they are likely one star player away from being a serious threat. They have an All-Star in Jimmy Butler, a potential Rookie of the Year candidate in Herro, and two potential Most Improved Player threats in Justise Winslow and Bam Adebayo. A lot of the season will hinge on how the young guys play around Butler.