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Cleveland Cavaliers: Updating the Eastern Conference power rankings

By Tyler Marling

Cleveland Cavaliers big Kevin Love (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers big Kevin Love (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

#3 – Toronto Raptors

Record – 11-4

Current streak – won 3

Nick Nurse is a basketball savant. The defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors lost one of the best players in the NBA, the NBA Finals’ MVP, Kawhi Leonard, and they are still one of the best teams in the NBA.

They are also missing Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka currently with injuries. Pascal Siakam, the defending NBA Most Improved Player is the main reason for their excellent play. Siakam is well on his way to being named to the NBA All-Star team and is a legitimate top-10 NBA MVP candidate.

The Raptors are also getting high-level production from Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell.

They currently have a +7.6 point-per-game differential according to ESPN and they are 7-3 over their last 10 games.

#2 – Miami Heat

Record – 11-4

Current streak – lost 1

There may not be a bigger addition to a roster this past summer than that of Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat. His leadership, defense, and playmaking have propelled this Miami team to an incredible start to the season.

It was thought that Miami was perhaps one player away, but they are the true definition of a team to this point in the season. They move the ball, don’t rely on just one player to carry the load, and they play excellent team defense.

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Through 15 games they have a +6.9 point-per-game differential according to ESPN and they are 7-3 over their last 10 games.

#1 – Milwaukee Bucks

Record – 12-3

Current streak – won 6

Surprise, surprise, the Milwaukee Bucks are the best team in the Eastern Conference to this point. Giannis Antetokounmpo is dominating, as expected. Many thought losing Malcolm Brogdon would be an enormous loss, and while it is a big one, veteran point guard George Hill has done an excellent job of filling the backup point guard role.

Barring an injury to Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will hover around the number one spot in the Eastern Conference for the entirety of the season.

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So far this season, the Bucks lead the Eastern Conference in scoring differential according to ESPN at +9.3. They are 9-1 over their last 10 games.