NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings
With a six game winning streak the Atlanta Hawks now have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 10-2. They currently have a one game lead over Orlando and two game lead over Miami in the highly competitive Southeast division. Milwaukee continues to look impressive in the early part of this season and at 6-3 are keeping pace with the Central division leader, Cleveland. The Cavaliers are coming off a disappointing loss to Washington this past Wednesday night. In his season debut for the Wizards, Antawn Jamison scored 31 points and added 10 rebounds in the win. The 9-3 Boston Celtics have not only already opened up a 3 ½ game lead in the East, they are the only team in the division with a winning record. The 76ers are second at 5-6 and at the bottom of the standings are the New Jersey Nets who have opened the season with 12 straight losses. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics (9-3) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference + 145
The Celtics have actually lost two out of their last three games after falling to Atlanta 97-86 last Friday night and dropping a 113-104 decision to Indiana the next day. In the loss to the Hawks they were out rebounded 47-29 and were a woeful 1 for 15 from three point range. Paul Piece was the leading scorer with 24 points in a losing effort. The next night against the Pacers they actually had an 88-86 lead with less than 10 minutes to play, but Indiana hung tough down the stretch and made the plays when they had to pulling out the win. Ray Allen’s 24 points led the way in the losing cause. Boston got back to their winning ways with a 109-95 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night with all five starters scoring in double figures. Through 11 games Pierce is the leading scorer averaging 18.4, Kevin Garnett leads in rebounds with 7.3, and Rajon Rondo leads in assists with 9. Next up for the Celtics are the Magic tonight at home, on the road at the Knicks on Sunday, and back home against the 76ers on Wednesday, November 25th.
Atlanta Hawks (10-2) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference +1200
In the midst of a six game winning streak they had a huge win over Boston last Friday night 97-86 in a game where Joe Johnson led the way with 24 points. The next night they took care of the Hornets 121-98 with five players in double figures and Josh Smith adding 17 rebounds for a double-double. On Monday they beat the Trail Blazers 99-95 by outscoring them 27-18 in the 4th quarter. Johnson once again led the way with 35 points. They added their sixth straight with another big win, beating division rival, the Heat 105-90. Johnson was huge in this game outscoring Miami’s Dwyane Wade 30-15. Through 12 games Johnson leads the way scoring 23.6 points and 4.7 assists per game and Al Horford is the leading rebounder with 10.3 per game. Next up for the Hawks are Rockets tonight in Atlanta, at the Jazz on Saturday, and back home against the Magic on Thanksgiving night.
Cleveland Cavaliers (8-4) Current Odds to Win the Eastern Conference +175
Last Saturday at home against the Jazz, three players; LeBron James, J.J. Hickson, and Mo Williams scored 20 plus points in the 107-103 victory. Tuesday night they had an eleven point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter and hung on to beat the Warriors 114-108. James led the way with 31 points and 12 assists. Wednesday things unraveled a bit in a 108-91 loss to the Wizards that snapped a five game winning streak. Despite James’ 34 points, they missed the presence of Shaquille O’Neal and Anderson Varejao who were sidelined with injuries. Though 12 games James is the leading scorer with 28.3 points and 8.1 assists per game and Varejao is the leading rebounder with 8.1 per game. Next up for the Cavaliers are the Pacers tonight in Indiana, the 76ers at home on Saturday, and then back on the road to face the Pistons on Wednesday, November 25th.
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