NBA Standings Update: A look at the Eastern Conference (12/17)

Atlanta starts the week outside of the top ten in the East

It was another rough week for the Atlanta Hawks. 

Despite ending their five-game losing streak on Friday night against the Raptors, they followed it up with a loss to the Cavaliers. Yes, Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic did not play last night, but neither did Darius Garland or Evena Mobley for Cleveland. There were also losses to the Raptors and the Nuggets last week. The Hawks don't want to find themselves outside of the playoff picture, but that is where they are. 

There could be some separation starting to show at the top. Boston remains locked in at No. 1, but Milwaukee and Philadelphia are starting to separate from everyone else for No. 2 and No. 3. The 76ers have the highest point differential in the Eastern Conference.

Orlando is the closest to the top three, but they took one on the chin against the Celtics this week. 

Trae Young vs the Raptors / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Miami and New York had good weeks and moved to No. 5 and No. 6, just in the playoff picture and out of the play-in. Miami has been operating without Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, but Herro reportedly might be back this week. 

After being the darlings of the in-season tournament, the Pacers fell to the seventh spot and are on a three-game losing streak. 

Cleveland, Brooklyn, and Toronto make up the rest of the play-in teams. It will be interesting to follow the Cavs after the injuries to Garland and Mobley. 

Atlanta is 11th and Chicago is 12th. The bottom three remain Charlotte, Washington, and Detroit. The Pistons are on a 23-game losing streak and face the Hawks in Atlanta on Monday. 

Current Eastern Conference Standings (12/17)

1. Boston Celtics (19-5)

2. Milwaukee Bucks (18-7)

3. Philadelphia 76ers (18-7)

4. Orlando Magic (16-8)

5. Miami Heat (15-11)

6. New York Knicks (14-11)

7. Indiana Pacers (13-11)

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-12)

9. Brooklyn Nets (13-12)

10. Toronto Raptors (10-15)

11. Atlanta Hawks (10-15)

12. Chicago Bulls (10-17)

13. Charlotte Hornets (7-17)

14. Washington Wizards (4-20)

15. Detroit Pistons (2-23)

Report Suggets the Hawks are a Suitor for Utah Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen

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