NBA Standings Update: A look at the Eastern Conference (11/19)

Atlanta has fallen a couple of spots in the standings after a tough week

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Nov 19, 2023 1:28 PM EST

In this story:

It was a tough week for the Atlanta Hawks. They did defeat the Detroit Pistons in their in-season tournament opener but lost to the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers to close the week. Atlanta has some time off before they resume in-season tournament play against the Indiana Pacers.

After being in fifth place last week, Atlanta has now fallen to ninth in the Eastern Conference and is sitting on the edge of the play-in tournament, which is not where they want to be.

Now, it is only November and the season is only a month old so there is no need to panic. There are some things to be optimistic about though. The offense has been among the NBA's best, even without Trae Young shooting well, Dejounte Murray is off to arguably the best start of his career, and Jalen Johnson has been a great fixture in the starting lineup. The defense is what has been the issue for the Hawks so far this season.

Atlanta is 24th in points per game allowed, 23rd in field goal, and 23rd in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, they are 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions and 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed.

It is still early, but the Hawks have to be better on this end or their season is going to end similarly to the past two.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles into Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. — Boston remains at the top of the NBA Standings
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics are back in the top spot. Philadelphia was there temporarily but Boston has been the most complete team in the East so far and are at the top.

Milwaukee looks like they are starting to figure things out. The Bucks have won four in a row and have surged to third place in the Eastern Conference. After a slow start, the Bucks might be rounding into form early in the season.

Indiana remains in the top four with their offense leading the way. Tyrese Haliburton is having another fantastic season and they will be a team to monitor the whole season.

Miami has been playing well, but their best player this season has not been Jimmy Butler. It has been Bam Adebayo, who has been one of the best players in the entire NBA so far, and he has the Heat in the top five.

The Knicks are holding the sixth spot and Orlando is at seven. Both teams are offensively challenged and win with defense and I think they will likely remain around here.

Cleveland is the mystery team in that range. The Cavaliers have not been healthy this season, but are playing better and I expect them to make a move up soon. Brooklyn is at 10th at 6-6.

Toronto and Chicago are both on the outside looking in, a spot neither franchise wanted to be in.

The Hornets, Wizards, and Pistons remain at the bottom.