The Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference last season. Will LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and company rule the East again? If Cleveland stumbles, which team is ready to step up?

We asked our ESPN Forecast panel to predict who will emerge as the Eastern Conference champion in 2015-16.

To participate in the discussion and perhaps get your opinion published on this page, #ESPNForecast is the Twitter hashtag to use. Or you can just follow along @ESPNNBA.

Who'll be beast of the East? Read on:

Eastern Conference champions projections

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Proj. record: 59-23

Points: 158

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2. Chicago Bulls

Proj. record: 50-32

Points: 53

With the same roster as last season, it's all about Fred Hoiberg to see if he can't take this Bulls team over the top #ESPNForecast - Jamaal Aflatooni (@jaflatooni) August 31, 2015

3. Miami Heat

Proj. record: 47-35

Points: 29

@MiamiHEAT are a legitimate threat to dethrone @cavs and bring another championship to Miami! #ESPNForecast - Victor Arroliga (@vicarroliga14) August 31, 2015

Miami can realistically win the EC if they are healthy. Only CLE has a better shot #ESPNForecast - Tom (@MiamiHeatFan) August 31, 2015

4. Washington Wizards

Proj. record: 46-36

Points: 15

@ESPNNBA @WashWizards they should be higher. John Wall and Bradley Beal will step up a ton now that Pierce is gone. #espnforecast - DC Rising (@mab200216) August 31, 2015

@ESPNNBA @WashWizards Summer Forecast has D.C. as 4th most likely to win the East #ESPNForecast More Motivation...Keep Sleeping!! #DCRising - Blue Moses (@bluemoses22) August 31, 2015

5. Atlanta Hawks

Proj. record: 50-32

Points: 14

6. (tie) Indiana Pacers

Proj. record: 39-43

Points: 3

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6.(tie) Toronto Raptors

Proj. record: 44-38

Points: 3

6. (tie) Boston Celtics

Proj. record: 40-42

Points: 3

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