Power ranking the Cleveland Cavaliers against the rest of the East

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Brooklyn Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

#9 – Chicago Bulls

Record – 12-20

Current streak – lost 1

The Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Hornets are interchangeable as things stand. The reason the Bulls are getting the nod here is their point differential is five full points better than the Hornets’ at just -1.6.

Chicago is being led by a triumvirate at point guard with Tomas Satoransky, Kris Dunn, and rookie Coby White all averaging at least 23.9 minutes per game per Basketball-Reference.

Satoransky has been the best of the three as he holds per-game averages of 10 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds and also plays the most minutes of the three at 28.2 per night according to Basketball-Reference.

The Bulls have a tough stretch coming up after they play the Atlanta Hawks in their next contest, they will face four straight playoff teams. Chicago is just 4-6 over their last 10 games.

#8 – Orlando Magic

Record – 13-17

Current streak – won 1

Somehow, the Orlando Magic have held their season together despite All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic missing quite a few games with a sprained ankle, and Aaron Gordon missing a couple of games with the same ailment.

Now, they are fully healthy and could look to distance themselves from the non-playoff teams in the East as they are currently just 1.5 games clear of the Hornets for the eighth spot.

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Markelle Fultz is finally starting to live up to his potential and is a major key to their success. Per Basketball-Reference, he is averaging 11.7 points and 4.1 assists and has taken over the starting point guard spot.

Orlando is 4-6 over their last 10 games and has a -1.4 point differential on the season.

#7 – Brooklyn Nets

Record – 16-13

Current streak – won 1

Fans of the Brooklyn Nets should be sending Christmas gifts to Spencer Dinwiddie as he has a legitimate case for an All-Star nod and he has held the season together for Brooklyn while star point guard Kyrie Irving has nursed a shoulder injury.

According to Basketball-Reference, Dinwiddie has averaged 22.7 points and 6.2 assists on the season.

The Nets may not have enough to overtake the top six teams in the East, but once Irving is back, they’ll distance themselves from the Magic and the teams fighting for the eighth seed.

Brooklyn is 6-4 over their last 10 games and has a +0.2 point differential.