NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings
Cleveland and Boston are still the top two teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference but watching them play lately you get the feeling that the door may be open for a few more teams to make a run at them. The Celtics are 27-11, going 4-6 in their last 10. They still have an 8 ½ game lead in the Atlantic division over Toronto, but the 19-20 Raptors have closed the gap a bit. The 30-11 Cavaliers have gone 7-3 in their last 10 and have an 11 game lead over Chicago in the Central division. In the Southeast division 26-13 Orlando has lost six out of their last 10 and leads 25-13 Atlanta by only a ½ game. Miami is one game over .500 at 19-18 and six games back. Of the top eight teams in the conference, three have losing records with the Bulls currently in the 8th spot at 17-20. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland Cavaliers (30-11) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference: 2/1
Despite Denver G Carmelo Anthony sitting this game out, the Cavaliers still lost to the Nuggets 97-99 last Friday night. They bounced back with a solid 106-94 win over the Trail Blazers. LeBron James led the way with 41 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Against the Warriors, they were able to hold off a late game rally to pull out the 117-114 win. Last night they lost to the Jazz 96-97 when Utah G Sundiata Gaines hit a three pointer at the buzzer to steal the win. Through 41 games James leads in points per game with 29.5 and assists with 7.8. Anderson Varejao leads in rebounds with 8.2 per game. Next up for the Cavaliers are the Clippers on the road this Saturday, and then back home to face the Raptors on Tuesday and the Lakers on Thursday, January 21st.
Boston Celtics (27-11) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference: 5/4
The Celtics started a very busy week with an 85-93 loss to the Hawks on the road in the first game of a home and home series. Sandwiched in between, they managed to beat the Raptors 114-107 behind Rasheed Wallace’s 29 points. Rajon Rondo added 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists for the triple-double. At home against the Hawks they lost again 96-102 as Atlanta appears to currently have their number. Against the Nets they jumped out to a 37 point lead at the half and cruised to a 111-87 win. Last night they dropped an 83-96 decision to the Bulls as playing five games in seven nights seemed to have taken its toll. Through 38 games Paul Pierce is the leading scorer with 18.4 points per game, Kendrick Perkins is the leading rebounder with 8.2, and Rondo leads in assists with 9.6 per game. Next up for the Celtics are the Mavericks at home on Monday and the Pistons on the road on Wednesday, January 20th.
Atlanta Hawks (25-13) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference: 9/1
Last Friday the Hawks came away with a big 93-85 win over the Celtics with a five starters scoring in double digits along with Jamal Crawford adding 18 points off the bench. They followed this up by getting blown out by the Magic 81-113. They trailed by 27 at the half and never made a game of it. On Monday they beat the Celtics again 102-96 but this time Joe Johnson carried the load, scoring 36 points. Against the Wizards, Johnson led all scorers with 24 and Josh Smith just missed a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Through 38 games Joe Johnson leads the team in points per game with 21.3 and assists with 4.8. Al Horford is the leading rebounder with 9.9. Next up for the Hawks are the Suns tonight and the Thunder on Monday at home, and then at the Kings on Wednesday, January 20th.
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