Power ranking the Cleveland Cavaliers against the rest of the East
#6 – Toronto Raptors
Record – 21-9
Current streak – lost 1
The number four through six spots in the power rankings are pretty interchangeable at the moment. The Toronto Raptors get the nod at six due to last night’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, which propelled them in front of the Raptors.
Toronto may not be getting a fair shake of things as they have been battling the injury bug all season. Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet, and now Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol have all missed multiple games this season.
Despite that, the Raptors are still one of the best teams in the NBA. They are just 6-4 over their last 10 games but they have a +5.7 point differential on the season.
#5 – Indiana Pacers
Record – 21-10
Current streak – won 1
What a season the Pacers are having. They are going to be terrifying once playoff time rolls around and Victor Oladipo is back.
The Pacers only two losses in their last nine games came at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers and on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks, two of the best teams of the best teams in the entire NBA.
Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis both have legitimate claims to All-Star selections this season. Brogdon, per Basketball-Reference, is averaging 18.3 points and 7.6 assists per game, both of which lead the Pacers.
Sabonis, meanwhile, is averaging 17.8 points, a whopping 13.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
The Pacers are 7-3 over their last 10 games and have a +4.1 point differential.
#4 – Philadelphia 76ers
Record – 22-10
Current streak – won 2
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a virtual tie for fourth in the Eastern Conference with the Raptors as of today. The 76ers have dealt with the injury bug themselves as Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Al Horford, and Josh Richardson have missed time due to injury.
The injuries haven’t stopped them from having a great start to the season though.
Despite a three-game losing streak recently to the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets, the 76ers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and an even more impressive 11-4 over their last 15 games.
If they can find more consistent outside shooting they will have a very good chance at coming out of the Eastern Conference and playing for an NBA championship.