The gap between disaster and championship ain't always big

Three East teams could just as easily lose in the first round or win the title.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

Dutch Boats in a Gale, J.M.W. Turner, 1801

With just the 1-8 series still to be set, it strikes me as rather fascinating that there are three teams in the Eastern Conference who could just as easily lose in the first round as they could win the championship. In fact, at least one of them will definitely lose in the first ro…