NBA Standings Update: A look at the Eastern Conference Ahead of Christmas Day Matchups

Atlanta finds itself on the outside looking at the playoff picture right now

Tomorrow is one of the marquee days on the NBA calendar. 

NBA Christmas Day games are perhaps the biggest games of the year in the league not including the playoffs. You will have some of the biggest teams and the biggest names in the sport playing tomorrow, including the best teams in the Eastern Conference. 

So how do the Eastern Conference Standings look heading into tomorrow's matchups?

Boston remains at the top, but Milwaukee and Philadelphia remain hot on their heels. Milwaukee is on a seven-game winning streak going into their Christmas day matchup with the Knicks and they look like they have figured out a lot of things from early in the year. 

The 76ers have the highest point differential in the NBA and Joel Embiid is certainly playing like an MVP. 

Joel Embiid might win another MVP trophy this season / Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

There is a clear separation between the top three in the East and then there are several teams bunched together. Orlando, Miami, New York, and Cleveland are all within at least a game of each other and they could finish in any order. 

Indiana, Brooklyn, and Chicago make up the rest of the play-in teams. Indiana has hit a bit of a roadblock since their run in the in-season tournament, but they still have the best offense in the NBA. It will be up to them to fix their defensive issues. 

Atlanta and Toronto sit at 11th and 12th and could still get in the playoffs. Atlanta has been battling a lot of injuries, but Jalen Johnson might be on his way back, which should give the team a huge boost. 

Charlotte, Washington, and Detroit make up the bottom of the Eastern Conference still. The Pistons are on a 26-game losing streak and with one more loss, they will set the NBA record. 

Current Eastern Conference Standings (12/17)

1. Boston Celtics (22-6)

2. Milwaukee Bucks (22-7)

3. Philadelphia 76ers (20-8)

4. Orlando Magic (17-11)

5. Miami Heat (17-12)

6. New York Knicks (16-12)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-13)

8. Indiana Pacers (14-14)

9. Brooklyn Nets (14-15)

10. Chicago Bulls (13-18)

11. Atlanta Hawks (12-17)

12. Toronto Raptors (11-18)

13. Charlotte Hornets (7-20)

14. Washington Wizards (5-23)

15. Detroit Pistons (2-27)

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane Propel Memphis to Victory in Atlanta

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