NBA Power Rankings: Cleveland Cavaliers moving up in recent rankings

5 of 6

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 20: Larry Nance Jr. #22 and Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers box out Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The high-middle tier

89. . . . Milwaukee Bucks. 5. team

The Milwaukee Bucks made a very underrated addition when they signed former Lakers center Brook Lopez. Finishing as the East’s seventh seed, Milwaukee eventually took Boston to seven games before their first-round exit last season.

However, behind an ever-improving Giannis, the Bucks have a top-five player in the East and should get significant contributions from proven star Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Expect them to take a jump in the East this season.

. Indiana Pacers. 4. team. 100. .

The Indiana Pacers also added a very under-the-radar yet elite talent in Tyreke Evans. He scored 19.4 points per game with Memphis last season and should help create a dynamic second unit for Indiana. With Oladipo still leading the charge, the Pacers should be a force this season.

Taking Eastern Conference Champs Cleveland to seven games, Indiana proved they were no joke, and with talent on both sides of the ball, Indiana should be a top-4 team in the East.