Wizards, NBC Sports Washington to Air In-Game Betting Broadcasts

The Washington Wizards will provide their fans with an alternative TV broadcast that will be focused on gambling on Jan. 11 for their matchup versus the Milwaukee Bucks, according to SportsBusiness Daily. NBC Sports Washington Plus will be airing this betting-catered version of the game in addition to its traditional telecast.

Friday's telecast (7 p.m. ET) could provide a future look at betting-based broadcasts as gambling becomes more mainstream among fans and TV audiences. Real-time sports-betting data and statistics will be shown on the screen.The telecast will feature a free, simple-to-play predictive contest, Predict the Game, that will be offering a $500 prize.

Predict the Game will air questions throughout the Wizards-Bucks game—such as 'Will Wizards guard Bradley Beal score 15 or more points in the first half?' and 'Will Bucks forward Khris Middleton score 6 or more points in the opening quarter?' Fans can visit NBCSportsWashington.com/predict during the game to answer questions like those for a chance to win money.

A preview of what the broadcast may look like on NBC Sports Washington. (Via SportsBusiness Daily)

Point spreads—which will be constantly updating—over/unders (for quarters, halves and the entire game) and odds will be shown on the telecast.

"We've been lucky because sports betting has rolled out in a way that has overlapped with our [regional sports networks]," David Preschlack, president of NBC Sports Regional Networks, told SportsBusiness Daily. "We're trying to figure out ways to appeal to casual sports bettors to make the games more interesting."

NBC Sports Washington Plus will air seven more betting-oriented Wizards games this season. The next Wizards' betting-broadcast will be on Jan. 27 during the team's road contest against the San Antonio Spurs.

"Combining the excitement of live Wizards games with engaging predictive gaming and data feeds will deliver a very entertaining experience for viewers, from first-time gaming players to savvy sports bettors," NBC Sports Washington senior vice president and general manager Damon Phillips said in a press release. "The level of interest from fans, partners and sponsors in this area continues to increase, so we are pleased to offer this compelling product this season."

NBA Summer Forecast: 2015-16 Eastern Conference Standings

 1. Cleveland Cavaliers

   Players added

Via draft:

Forward Cedi Osman (No. 31)
Forward Sir'Dominic Pointer (No. 53)

Via free agency:

Guard Mo Williams (from Hornets)
Forward Richard Jefferson (from Mavs)

Players Lost*

Via free agency:
Center Kendrick Perkins (to Pelicans)

Via trade:
Center Brendan Haywood (to Trail Blazers, who waived him)
Guard/Forward Mike Miller (to Trail Blazers, who waived him)

Via retirement:

Forward Shawn Marion

2. Chicago Bulls

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Bobby Portis (No. 22)

Players Lost

3. Toronto Raptors

Players Added

Via draft:

Guard Delon Wright (No. 20)
Guard Norman Powell (No. 46)

Via free agency:

Forward DeMarre Carroll (from Hawks)

Forward/Center Luis Scola (from Pacers)

Guard Cory Joseph (from Spurs)

Forward/Center Bismack Biyombo (from Hornets)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Forward Amir Johnson (to Celtics)

Guard Lou Williams (to Lakers)
Forward Tyler Hansbrough (to Hornets)

Via trade:

Guard Greivis Vasquez (to Bucks)

Forward/Center Tomislav Zubcic (to Thunder)

4. Miami Heat

Players Added

Via draft:

Guard/Forward Justise Winslow (No. 10)

Guard/Forward Josh Richardson (No. 40)

Via free agency:

Forward/Center Amar'e Stoudemire (from Mavs)
Forward Gerald Green (from Suns)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Forward Michael Beasley 

Via trade:
Guard Shabazz Napier (to Magic)
Guard Zoran Dragic (to Celtics)

5. Atlanta Hawks

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Marcus Eriksson (No. 50)

Forward/Center Dimitrios Agravanis (No. 59)

Via free agency:

Guard Justin Holiday (from Warriors)

Via trade:

Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (from Knicks)

Center Tiago Splitter (from Spurs)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Center Pero Antic (to Fenerbahce, Turkey)

Forward DeMarre Carroll (to Raptors)
Forward John Jenkins (to Mavs)

Waived:

Forward Austin Daye

6. Milwaukee Bucks

Players Added

Via draft:

Guard Rashad Vaughn (No. 17)

Via free agency:

Forward/Center Greg Monroe (from Pistons)
Forward Chris Copeland (from Pacers)

Via trade:

Guard Greivis Vasquez (from Raptors)

Players Lost

Via trade:
Forward Jared Dudley (to Wizards)

Forward Ersan Ilyasova (to Detroit)

Center Zaza Pachulia (to Mavs)

7. Washington Wizards

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Kelly Oubre (No. 15)

Forward Aaron White (No. 49)

Via free agency:

Guard/Forward Alan Anderson (from Nets)

Guard Gary Neal (from Wolves)

Via trade:
Forward Jared Dudley (from Bucks)

Players Lost

Via free agency: 

Forward Paul Pierce (to Clippers)

Forward Rasual Butler

Forward/Center Kevin Seraphin (to Knicks)

Guard Will Bynum

8. Indiana Pacers

Players Added

Via draft:

Center Myles Turner (No. 11)
Forward Rakeem Christmas (No. 36; acquired from Cavs in trade on July 23)

Guard Joseph Young (No. 43)

Via free agency:

Guard Monta Ellis (from Mavs)

Forward/Center Jordan Hill (from Lakers)

Via trade:

Chase Budinger (from Wolves)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Guard C.J. Watson (to Magic)

Forward/Center Luis Scola (to Raptors)

Forward David West (to Spurs)
Forward Chris Copeland (to Bucks)

Via trade:

Center Roy Hibbert (to Lakers)

Forward Damjan Rudez (to Wolves)

9. Boston Celtics

Players Added

Via draft:

Guard Terry Rozier (No. 16)

Guard R.J. Hunter (No. 28)

Forward Jordan Mickey (No. 33)

Guard Marcus Thornton (No. 45) (plans to play in Australia this season)

Via free agency:

Forward Amir Johnson (from Raptors)

Via trade:

Forward Perry Jones (from Thunder)

Forward David Lee (from Warriors)
Guard Zoran Dragic (from Heat)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Forward Luigi Datome (to Fenerbahce Ulker, Turkey)

Forward Brandon Bass (to Lakers)

Via trade:

Forward Gerald Wallace (to Warriors)

Waived:

Guard Phil Pressey (signed with Trail Blazers)

10. Detroit Pistons

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Stanley Johnson (No. 8)

Guard Darrun Hilliard (No. 38)

Via free agency:

Forward Aron Baynes (from Spurs)

Via trade:

Guard/Forward Reggie Bullock (from Suns)

Guard Steve Blake (from Nets (from Blazers))

Forward Danny Granger (from Suns)

Forward Ersan Ilyasova (from Bucks)

Forward Marcus Morris (from Suns)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Forward/Center Greg Monroe (to Bucks)

Forward Tayshaun Prince

Guard John Lucas III

Via trade:

Guard/Forward Caron Butler (to Bucks, who waived him; Butler signed with Kings)

Forward Shawne Williams (to Bucks, who waived him)

Forward Quincy Miller (to Nets)

11. Charlotte Hornets

Players Added

Via draft: 

Forward Frank Kaminsky (No. 9)

Via free agency:

Guard/Forward Aaron Harrison (undrafted free agent)
Guard Jeremy Lin (from Lakers)
Forward Tyler Hansbrough (from Raptors)

Via trade: 

Forward Matt Barnes (from Clippers)

Forward Nicolas Batum (from Blazers)

Forward/Center Spencer Hawes (from Clippers)

Guard Jeremy Lamb (from Thunder)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Guard Mo Williams (to Cavaliers)
Forward Jeffrey Taylor (to Real Madrid, Spain)

Via trade:

Forward Matt Barnes (to Grizzlies)

Guard/Forward Gerald Henderson (to Blazers)

Guard/Forward Lance Stephenson (to Clippers)

Forward Noah Vonleh (to Blazers)

12. Brooklyn Nets

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (No. 23)
Forward/Center Chris McCullough (No. 29)

Forward Juan Pablo Vaulet (No. 39)

Via free agency:

Center Andrea Bargnani (from Knicks)

Guard Wayne Ellington (from Lakers)

Guard Shane Larkin (from Knicks)

Forward Thomas Robinson (from 76ers)

Via trade:

Forward Quincy Miller (from Pistons)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Guard/Forward Alan Anderson (to Wizards)

Forward Mirza Teletovic (to Suns)

Via trade:

Center Mason Plumlee (to Blazers)

Waived:

Guard Darius Morris

Forward Cory Jefferson

Guard Deron Williams (signed with Mavs)

13. New York Knicks

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward/Center Kristaps Porzingis (No. 4)

Guard Jerian Grant (No. 19)

Center Guillermo Hernangomez (No. 35)

Via free agency:

Guard Arron Afflalo (from Blazers)

Center Robin Lopez (from Blazers)

Forward Derrick Williams (from Kings)
Center Kevin Seraphin (from Wizards) 

Via trade:

Forward Kyle O'Quinn (from Magic)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Center Cole Aldrich (to Clippers)

Guard Shane Larkin (to Nets)

Forward/Center Jason Smith (to Magic)

Center Andrea Bargnani (to Nets)

Forward Quincy Acy (to Kings)

Guard Alexey Shved (BC Khimki, Russia)
Center Samuel Dalembert (to Mavs)

Via trade:

Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (to Hawks)

14. Orlando Magic

Players Added

Via draft:

Forward Mario Hezonja (No. 5)
Guard Tyler Harvey (No. 51)

Via free agency:

Forward/Center Jason Smith (from Knicks)

Guard C.J. Watson (from Pacers)

Via trade:

Guard Shabazz Napier (from Heat)

Players Lost

Via trade:

Forward Maurice Harkless (to Blazers)
Forward Kyle O'Quinn (to Knicks)

Waived:

Guard Ben Gordon

15. Philadelphia 76ers

Players Added

Via draft:

Center Jahlil Okafor (No. 3)

Forward Richaun Holmes (No. 37)

Forward J.P. Tokoto (No. 58)

Via trade:

Forward Carl Landry (from Kings)

Guard Nik Stauskas (from Kings)

Forward/Center Jason Thompson (from Kings)

Players Lost

Via free agency:

Forward Thomas Robinson(to Nets)

Forward Luc Mbah a Moute (to Kings)

*As of 8/4/15, Tristan Thompson (restricted) and J.R. Smith remain free agents. Thompson is widely expected to re-sign with the Cavs and Smith—who (foolishly) declined his $6.4 million player option—is likely to return to the Cavs as well, provided he takes a pay cut. 

Simple Truth: Pierce Most Clutch Player of Era

            The Washington Wizards were on the verge of an epic playoff collapse. The sold-out crowd at Verizon Center had gone silent after Atlanta Hawks backup center Mike Muscala hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 14.1 seconds to go. Muscala’s 3-pointer capped off a 25-5 Hawks run over seven minutes of play that included a stretch of 17 unanswered points. After watching his team squander a 21-point fourth quarter lead, Washington head coach Randy Wittman knew there was only one player that could save his team from an embarrassing meltdown. Naturally, Wittman drew up a play for Paul Pierce, who made a Hall of Fame career with the Boston Celtics hitting daggers and game-winners.

            On a pass from Bradley Beal, Pierce had the ball at the top of the key with point guard Dennis Schroder guarding him on a switch. With the smaller Schroder defending him, Pierce knew it was time to work his magic.

            Get out of the way.

            Those were the words Pierce shouted at Beal before the 37-year-old former NBA Finals MVP banked in a 21-foot fallaway jumper off the backboard as the buzzer sounded to give Washington a 103-101 victory. Pierce helped the Wizards—playing without their floor general and superstar point guard John Wall—avoid disaster to take a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the top-seeded Hawks.

            ESPN’s Chris Broussard got a hold of Pierce and asked the veteran, known as The Truth, whether he called “Bank!” on the game-winning shot.

            “I called game,” Pierce proclaimed before walking off the court.

            Washington fans have fallen in love with The Truth, who is still making big baskets in his 17^th year in the league. Pierce has now come up clutch in bigtime fashion in three of the Wizards’ six wins this postseason. In Game 1 of the first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, Pierce bailed his team out—who choked a big lead in that game too—by hitting a back-breaking 3-pointer in overtime before sealing the victory with a pair of free throws. He finished with a game-high 20 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting from the field.

            Game 3 of the Wizards-Raptors series saw Pierce score eight points in the final two minutes, including two gut-wrenching 3-pointers that helped the Wizards win their third straight playoff game in an eventual sweep over Toronto.

            Pierce’s dagger on Saturday was even more clutch. Not only was it a buzzer-beater, it was also a shot that saved the game for a team that had collapsed in the final frame. Had the Wizards lost Game 3 they likely would have lost the series. Blowing a huge lead in a postseason game and still managing to win the series is extremely hard. Devoid of its best player in Wall—sitting out due to a wrist injury suffered in the opening game of the series—it’s difficult to imagine Washington recovering from a loss like this. But Pierce refused to let Atlanta grab the series lead, potentially saving the Wizards’ season.

            Saturday’s buzzer put Pierce in rare company among players in the past decade:

Over the last 10 years, the only players with more than 1 game-winning buzzer-beater in the playoffs are LeBron James and Paul Pierce.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 10, 2015

            (For those who forget, Pierce's other buzzer-beater came in Game 3 of the 2010 Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Miami Heat)

            Another amazing stat:

Pierce has shot 8-for-12 (66.7%) in the 4th Quarter or overtime this postseason #TheTruth @WashWizards pic.twitter.com/3DfnmT20s1

— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 10, 2015

            Pierce’s ability to thrive in the clutch this late in his career is truly incredible. As the best player on the Celtics for a decade and a half, Pierce was always the go-to-guy with the game on the line. But even as a glorified role player with the Brooklyn Nets and Wizards, he still is the most lethal man on the court with a chance to win the game.

            It’s fair to say that LeBron James is the best player of this era, Kobe Bryant is the best scorer of the era and Tim Duncan is the best power forward of the era (and of all-time). As for Pierce? He holds the distinction of the most clutch player of his era. Saturday's improbable buzzer-beater further solidified Pierce as the league’s deadliest player in the closing seconds of a game.

Paul Pierce raises arms in celebration as Bradley Beal and Will Bynum run over to congratulate the game's hero.
(Geoffe Burke/USA Today Sports)

'That's Why I'm Here!': Pierce's Clutch 3s Put Wizards One Win From East Semifinals

            Scoreless after the first quarter and just seven points tallied heading into the final frame, it appeared Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce was heading towards a quiet night.

            The 37-year-old, who has built a reputation in his storied career for thriving in the biggest moments of the postseason, checked in with 6:48 remaining in Game 3 and promptly hit a 3-pointer in his first possession of the fourth quarter, giving the Wizards a four-point lead against a Toronto Raptors squad in full-on desperation mode after dropping the first two contests of the series north of the border.

            Pierce, a former NBA Finals MVP for the Boston Celtics and a long-time Raptors' kryptonite, delivered a clutch 3-pointer with 1:58 to go on a pass from center Marcin Gortat, who posted team highs in points (24) and rebounds (13) to go along with five assists.

Paul Pierce. Dagger. Of course. Truth hurts. https://t.co/u4HRTk3udk
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) April 25, 2015

            The Raptors clawed back to within three with 40 seconds left after two jumpers (one from behind the arc) by Kyle Lowry, who labored through his third straight playoff dud (shooting 5-of-22 from the field) despite a late scoring burst at the tail end of the contest. With a 102-99 score, Pierce set a fake screen on Raptors forward Terrence Ross to allow himself space to pop out to the 3-point line. Off a pass from point guard John Wall—who added 19 points, 15 assists and five rebounds—Pierce delivered his signature pump fake that sent Toronto’s Patrick Patterson flying past him and then drilled the dagger from behind the arc as the shot clock expired.  Sending the sold-out crowd at Verizon Center into a frenzy, Pierce strutted across the court toward the other basket following Toronto's timeout.

            “That's why I’m here,” the future Hall of Famer declared multiple times to the Wizards faithful.

            The Raptors heard him utter those exact words in Game 1 of the Brooklyn-Toronto 2014 first-round playoff series after Pierce—then a member of the Nets—came up huge down the stretch of Brooklyn’s win at Air Canada Centre.

            Pierce tormented the Raptors in the playoffs last year and is doing it again in the 2015 postseason as the emotional leader of the young, uprising Wizards. Before the series began, he ruffled some Canadian feathers by declaring the Raptors lack the “it” factor necessary to win in the postseason. The Wizards forward backed up his trash-talk in the team’s Game 1 road win in overtime. Pierce finished with a game-high 20 points on a remarkably efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance. He began the scoring for the Wizards in the extra session by hitting a back-breaking three, and ended it by helping to seal the victory with a pair of free throws.

            Fast-forward to Friday night as the Raptors again fell prey to Pierce and his late-game shot-making ability. Pierce, who had another efficient evening (5-of-9 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point territory), pushed the Wizards to a 3-0 series advantage—the first time in franchise history Washington has led a best-of-seven series three games to nothing.

            "I love playoff basketball," Pierce said following the Game 3 victory. "I love everything about it. I love the crowds on the road, I love it at home."      

            Pierce has averaged 16.0 points per game this series, despite attempting less than nine shots per contest.  In addition to shooting 53.8 percent from the field, he has converted an incredulous 55.6 percent of his 3-point shots.

Pierce hollers, "That's why I'm here," after hitting Game 3's dagger. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

            “The Truth” was honest about why he's enjoying this postseason so much.

            "Right now I don't know how many more I have left," Pierce said. "I see the light at the end of the tunnel, so that appreciation goes up.”

            The light at the end of the Raptors’ 2015 postseason is also fast approaching thanks to Pierce. A year after his series-saving block in Game 7, Pierce has seemingly put the Raptors to rest yet again. In order to advance, Toronto must come back from a 3-0 series deficit—something no team has done in NBA history.

Paul Pierce Moves into Fourth on All-Time Three-Point List as Wizards Beat Bulls

            Paul Pierce added another accolade in his Hall of Fame-bound career, passing Jason Kidd for fourth place on the NBA’s all-time three-point field goal list in Washington’s 105-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Pierce, who scored a team-high 22 points on 7 of 12 shooting, surpassed Kidd with a fourth-quarter trey that helped seal a critical road victory for Washington.

Paul Pierce hits 1,989th career 3-pointer in win, moving past Jason Kidd for 4th on NBA’s all-time leaderboard. pic.twitter.com/ej6Nsg7f4L
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 15, 2015

Paul Pierce passes Jason Kidd to move into 4th place on NBA's all-time 3-pt FG list. Pierce has 1,989 career threes. pic.twitter.com/SP7Yt9XQmX
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 15, 2015

After beating the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, the Wizards took out another one of the NBA’s elite teams—defeating the Bulls at the United Center for the fifth straight time, including last season’s first-round playoff series.

            A dark horse MVP candidate, John Wall posted 21 points with nine assists. Scoring 10 points in the final quarter, Wall was able to push Washington past Chicago for the second time in six days, despite a season-high 32 points from Derrick Rose.

            Each member of the Wizards starting lineup scored in double figures. Bradley Beal totaled 17 points and six assists. Nene Hilario had 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Marcin Gortat chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds.

            Pierce connected on all five of his shots from two-point range and went 6-6 from the free-throw line in the win. The longtime Boston Celtic made two of seven from behind the arc, giving him 1,989 three-pointers in his career.

            The Wizards host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night as Pierce will square off against his former team of one season for the first time.

Winning Time: Paul Pierce Passes Reggie Miller for 16th Place on NBA's All-Time Scoring List as Wizards clip Celtics in 2OT

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 28 points as the Washington Wizards (14-7) defeated the visiting Boston Celtics (7-12) 133-132 in double overtime on Monday night. Playing against his former team of 15 seasons, Pierce shot a remarkably efficient 9-for-12 from the field, making four of his five three-point attempts and sinking all six of his free throws. Pierce hit a free throw with 3:33 remaining in the second quarter to leapfrog him past Reggie Miller for 16th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Just 13 days after hurdling Jerry West on the all-time list, “The Truth” was able to move a step closer to the top-10 in the win. Pierce has logged 25,300 points in his storied career, not too far behind Alex English (25,613), who is currently sitting in the No. 15 spot in points scored in NBA history.

Paul Pierce was profanely pumping up Gortat, when Wall told him to look at the scoreboard to see that he had passed Reggie Miller
— Rashad Mobley (@rashad20) December 9, 2014

Paul Pierce - 25,282 points. He passes Reggie Miller for 16th. 24,021 of them as a Celtic. 541 against Reggie Miller and the Pacers.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) December 9, 2014

Let @paulpierce34 hear it this second half Wiz fans! #TheTruth #dcRising #WizCeltics pic.twitter.com/8SMdgDBojq
— Monumental Network (@MonumentalNtwrk) December 9, 2014

Big night for #TheTruth. @paulpierce34 passed @ReggieMillerTNT for 16th on the all-time scoring list pic.twitter.com/Ei6T54GubX
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 9, 2014

From one Cali guy to another, Congrats @paulpierce34, keep moving on up that scoring list my friend! #Riverside #Inglewood
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) December 9, 2014

            The Wizards won despite relinquishing a 23-point third quarter lead. They got outscored 34-18 in the fourth quarter. The Celtics' Evan Turner provided the crowd—largely made up of Boston fans, many of which were donning Pierce’s Celtic jersey—bonus basketball after nailing a three-pointer from the right corner with 0.6 seconds on the clock of regulation.

            The Celtics scored nine of the first 11 points of the first overtime before the Wizards made a furious rally capped by a Pierce three-pointer with 38.9 seconds left that pushed the game to another five-minute period.

            John Wall took over in the second overtime session. Wall—who posted 26 points and dished out a career-best 17 assists—scored Washington’s final 10 points in the victory. The fifth-year point guard, who set a franchise-record with his fifth straight game with 12 or more assists, converted an and-one layup with 44 seconds remaining. The Celtics had one last chance, but Turner misfired on a jumper in the final seconds.

            Turner had his best game as a Celtic—knocking down the clutch trey to force overtime in a contest in which he totaled 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Jeff Green matched his counterpart Pierce with 28 points, while Kelly Olynyk finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

            The Celtics made their furious rally with rookie Marcus Smart steering the point guard duties. Smart scored a career-high 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting (including 4-of-8 from downtown) to go with five rebounds and four assists. Rajon Rondo, who was held scoreless with four assists in just 21 minutes of action, was taken out with 5:21 left in the third quarter and didn’t appear in the contest again.

            The nail-biting victory for the Wizards comes a day after losing to the Celtics in a Sunday matinee matchup at the TD Garden.

NBA Summer Forecast: 2014-15 Eastern Conference Standings

      With LeBron James returning home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the balance of power has shifted dramatically in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs, who missed the playoffs in each of the four years James spent in Miami, will be the favorites to seize the East in the regular season--especially after acquiring Kevin Love in a blockbuster trade.
         The 25-year-old widely regarded as the NBA's top 'stretch four', Love is coming off a career-year, in which he averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Adding Love to a team already with Kyrie Irving and the best player in the NBA in James, the Cavs undoubtedly boast the most talented star trio in the league.

        Could a Central Division foe--specifically the Chicago Bulls--prevent the Cavs from landing the top spot in the conference? Will the Bulls' signing of Pau Gasol be enough to snatch the top-seed? 

        Don't forget about the Washington Wizards, who are now the favorites to win the Southeast--a division the Heat dominated the past four seasons. The Wizards signed future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, who delivered in the clutch for the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round playoff series victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Wizards also bolstered their bench by adding DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries via free agency. 

          You can't sleep on the Raptors, either, after the club retained all of its core players from last year's Atlantic Division-champion roster. 

            So, how will the East stack up 1-15 in the upcoming year? I forecast the 2014-2015 standings below. 

1.     Cleveland Cavaliers

Key additions: LeBron James, Kevin Love (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers), Mike Miller, Joe Harris (R), James Jones, Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion

Subtractions: Spencer Hawes (Clippers), Luol Deng (Heat), C.J. Miles (Pacers), Jarrett Jack & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Nets), Anthony Bennett (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers) 

2.     Chicago Bulls 

 Key additions: Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott (R), Nikola Mirotic (R-Spain), Aaron Brooks, E'Twaun Moore

Subtractions: Carlos Boozer (Via Amnesty clause--signed with Lakers), D.J. Augustin (Pistons), Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)

3.     Washington Wizards 

 Key additions: Paul Pierce, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair

Subtractions: Trevor Ariza (Rockets), Trevor Booker (Jazz)

4.     Toronto Raptors 

 Key additions: James Johnson, Bruno Caboclo (R), Lou Williams (Via Trade with Hawks)

Subtractions: John Salmons (Via Trade with Hawks), Steve Novak (Via Trade with Jazz)

5.     Miami Heat

 Key additions: Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Josh McRoberts, Shabazz Napier (R)

Subtractions: LeBron James (Cavaliers), James Jones (Cavaliers), Ray Allen

6.     Charlotte Hornets 

 Key additions: Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams, P.J. Hairston (R), Brian Roberts

Subtractions: Josh McRoberts (Heat), Anthony Tolliver (Suns), Luke Ridnour (Magic), Brendan Haywood (Cavs)

7.     New York Knicks

 Key Additions: Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin & Samuel Dalembert (Via Trade with Mavs), Travis Outlaw & Quincy Acy (Via Trade with Kings), Jason Smith

Subtractions: Tyson Chandler & Raymond Felton (Via Trade with Mavs), Jeremy Tyler & Wayne Ellington (Via Trade with Kings)

8.     Atlanta Hawks 

 Key additions: Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore, Adreian Payne (R)

Subtractions: Lou Williams (Via Trade with Raptors), Cartier Martin (Pistons), Gustavo Ayon, Elton Brand

9.   Brooklyn Nets

 Key additions: Jarrett Jack (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs)

 Subtractions: Paul Pierce (Wizards), Shaun Livingston (Warriors), Andray Blatche, Marcus Thornton (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs) 

10.     Indiana Pacers

Key additions: C.J. Miles, Damjan Rudez (R- Europe), Rodney Stuckey

Subtractions: Lance Stephenson (Hornets), Evan Turner (Celtics)

*Paul George likely out for season after breaking leg during USA Basketball Showcase

11.   Detroit Pistons

 Key additions: Jodie Meeks, Cartier Martin, D.J. Augustin, Caron Butler

 Subtractions: Chauncey Billups, Rodney Stuckey (Pacers)

12.   Boston Celtics

 Key additions: Marcus Smart (R), James Young (R), Evan Turner, Marcus Thornton & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Nets and Cavs)

 Subtractions: Kris Humphries (Wizards), Jerryd Bayless (Bucks)

13.   Milwaukee Bucks 

 Key additions: Jabari Parker (R), Jerryd Bayless, Kendall Marshall

 Subtractions: Jeff Adrien (Rockets), Ramon Sessions

14.   Orlando Magic

 Key additions: Aaron Gordon (R), Elfrid Payton (R), Luke Ridnour, Ben Gordon, Channing Frye, Evan Fournier (Via Trade with Nuggets)

Subtractions: Jameer Nelson (Mavs), Aaron Afflalo (Via Trade with Nuggets), E'Twaun Moore (Bulls)

15.   Philadelphia 76ers

 Key additions: Joel Embiid (R), Dario Saric (R), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Alexey Shved (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)

 Subtractions: Thaddeus Young (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)