NBA Standings Update: A look at the Eastern Conference
I know, I know, we are only a couple of weeks into the season and I am talking about where teams are in the standings, but with the entire NBA not playing today, I thought it would be a good time to check out the standings and see where teams are in the Eastern conference in this very young NBA season.
There has been no doubt about who the top team in the Eastern Conference so far this season. The Boston Celtics have been the odds-on favorite to win the NBA title since trading for Jrue Holiday and Boston has played like the top team in the East. Boston is 5-1 and has the top point average point differential in the NBA right now.
Second place might surprise you. Philadelphia traded James Harden away, but they have not missed a beat so far, have won five in a row, and has the second-best point differential in the East. Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP and Tyrese Maxey is also playing well. We'll see what happens as the season goes on, but Philly is playing well right now.
Milwaukee is third and Atlanta is fourth right now. The Bucks are still figuring out how to play with their new team, but they should be considered one of the favorites in the conference. Atlanta had their four-game winning streak broken last night by the Thunder, but their offense has been among the NBA's best so far.
Atlanta forward De'Andre Hunter guarding Celtics forward Jayson Tatum
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
A couple of surprise teams are in 5th and 6th place. Indiana and Orlando have been pretty good to start the year and they have some young talent. If they can stay there is the big question.
The four current play-in teams include some disappointments early in the season. Cleveland and New York have been up and down to start the season, especially on the offensive end. Both teams can be higher by the end of the season, but it has been a rough go.
Toronto and Brooklyn are No. 9 and No. 10. Scottie Barnes is off to a good start for the Raptors, while Brooklyn is finally getting something out of Ben Simmons.
There is only one surprise among the bottom five teams in the East right now and it is the defending conference champions. The Miami Heat are off to a 3-4 start and have one of the worst offenses in the NBA. The Heat will likely figure it out because they have Jimmy Butler and the best coach in the NBA, but it has not been pretty for Miami so far.
Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit, and Washington make up the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Current Eastern Conference Standings (11/7)
1. Boston Celtics (5-1)
2. Philadelphia 76ers (5-1)
3. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
4. Atlanta Hawks (4-3)
5. Indiana Pacers (4-3)
6. Orlando Magic (4-3)
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-4)
8. New York Knicks (3-4)
9. Toronto Raptors (3-4)
10. Brooklyn Nets (3-4)
11. Miami Heat (3-4)
12. Chicago Bulls (3-5)
13. Charlotte Hornets (2-4)
14. Detroit Pistons (2-6)
15. Washington Wizards (1-5)
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