Cleveland Cavaliers: Updating the Eastern Conference power rankings
#9 – Orlando Magic
Record – 6-9
Current streak – lost 2
The Orlando Magic are currently dealing with some major injuries. All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic is out a minimum of four weeks and versatile forward Aaron Gordon is day-to-day, both with ankle injuries, both suffered in the same game.
High potential forward Jonathan Isaac as been incredible and appears to be taking the leap that is required of young players at some point in the early stages of their career. He is going to carry a lot more responsibility over the next few weeks to keep the Magic in touch with the back end of the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
The Magic currently have a -0.8 point-per-game differential according to ESPN and are 4-6 over their previous 10 games.
#8 – Washington Wizards
Record – 5-8
Current streak – won 2
Perhaps the surprise in the Eastern Conference right now is the Washington Wizards. They are “MacGyvering” their way into playoff contention in the early going of the NBA season. Their starting lineup in their previous game, according to ESPN, was Isaiah Thomas, Bradley Beal, Troy Brown, Rui Hachimura, and Thomas Bryant.
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They have trouble defending teams but they can score with the best of them behind the stellar play of Beal. On the season, Washington is just -0.7 points-per-game differential per ESPN and are 4-6 over their previous 10 contests.
#7 – Brooklyn Nets
Record – 7-8
Current streak – won 2
Another Eastern Conference team battling the injury bug, the Brooklyn Nets are off to a disappointing start so far this season. Kyrie Irving is battling a shoulder injury and will miss the team’s upcoming road trip and Kevin Durant still continues to rehab his Achilles injury. Caris Levert will also miss an extended period of time with a thumb injury.
Despite all of this, Brooklyn still remains in the thick of it in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have just a -1.6 point-per-game scoring differential, via ESPN. They are 5-5 over their previous 10 games.