With a big win over San Antonio last night, Boston has now won six straight games moving their record to 15-4 and opening up an 8 ½ game lead in the Atlantic division. Orlando is on a four game winning streak and is tied with Boston for the best record in the conference. They have a 1 ½ game lead over 13-5 Atlanta and a 4 ½ game lead over 10-8 Miami in the conference’s most competitive division, the Southeast. Cleveland has opened up a 3 ½ game lead over Milwaukee in the Central division. At 9-8, the Bucks are the only other team in the East with a winning record. In other conference news, Allen Iverson has signed a one year deal to return to Philadelphia, a team he spent the better part of his 14 year career with. With a 117-101 loss to Dallas, the New Jersey Nets have now set the dubious record of opening the season with 18 straight losses. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics (15-4) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference +150
Last Friday in a 116-103 win over the Raptors they shot 62% from the field and completely dominated the next best team in their division. Six players scored in double figures led by Ray Allen’s 20 points. On Sunday they handed the Heat a 92-85 defeat in Miami with Kevin Garnett leading the way with 24 points. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins both added double-doubles. In a 108-90 romp over the Bobcats they opened a 23 point lead at the half and coasted from there. Allen led all scorers with 27 points and Perkins added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Last night they beat the Spurs 90-83 for their sixth straight highlighted by Garnett‘s 20 points and seven rebounds. Through 19 games Paul Pierce is the leading scorer averaging 18.5 points per game, Perkins and Garnett are averaging 7 rebounds, and Rondo leads in assists with 9.2. Next up for the Celtics are the Thunder tonight on the road, back home against the Bucks on Tuesday, and then at the Wizards on Thursday, December 10th.
Orlando Magic (15-4) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference +275
Last Saturday the Magic erased a nine point deficit at the half to beat the Bucks in a tight one 100-98. Vince Carter scored 25 points and Dwight Howard added 25 of his own along with 20 rebounds. In the first game of a home and home series with the Knicks, they came away with a 114-102 win in New York. Rashard Lewis scored 26 points and Howard added another double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds. In the second game in Orlando, they beat them by almost the same score 118-104. This time six players scored in double figures with Lewis adding 11 rebounds and Howard adding 10 for his third straight double-double. Through 19 games Carter leads in points per game with 19.2, Howard leads in rebounds with 12.3, and Jameer Nelson leads in assists with 5.5. Next up for the Magic are three road games starting with the Warriors on Saturday night, the Clippers on Tuesday, and the Jazz on Thursday, December 10th.
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-5) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference + 150
The Cavs were stunned by the Bobcats last Friday, dropping a 94-97 decision in Charlotte. Falling behind by 15 at the half, they were never able to close the gap. Lebron James was the leading scorer in the loss with 25. Back on their home court, they quickly rebounded the next night with a 111-95 win over the Mavericks ending their five game winning streak. James and Mo Williams each had 25 points and Delonte West added a double-double off the bench. They opened up the month of December by beating another solid team from the West, handing the Suns a 107-90 defeat. This game was a total team effort as seven players scored in double figures in the 17 point victory. Through 18 games James leads in points per game with 28.2 and assists with 8.1 and Anderson Varejao leads in rebounds with 8.2. Next up for the Cavaliers are the Bulls tonight at home and then on the road to face the Bucks on Sunday, the Grizzlies on Tuesday, and the Rockets on Wednesday, December 9th.
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