East Power Rankings: No. 4-1
These four teams are a but above. Their play this season has been elite, they are in position to host first-round playoff series, and they all have a pair (or trio ) of stars leading the way. The Denver Nuggets look poised to easily win the top seed in the West, but in the East these teams could probably finish in any order.
The Philadelphia 76ers have more depth than they have had in a long time. Joel Embiid and James Harden are a potent 1-2 punch, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris can pop off for 25 points on any given night, and they have a defensive core around them with P.J. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton and deadline addition Jalen McDaniels to replace Matisse Thybulle. They have had one of the league’s easiest schedules thus far, however, and their stretch run is the toughest in the conference.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were the other team in the league not to make a del at the Trade Deadline, instead standing pat with their team and adding perfect-fit Danny Green on the buyout market. By many metrics, this team has been the best in the league, and they have the league’s best defense. A lack of playoff experience will likely hold this team back from making a true run to the NBA Finals, but this team is for real.
Winners of 10-straight games, the Milwaukee Bucks finally have a healthy core and look ready to make a push down the stretch. They banked a lot of wins early but looked shaky doing so, and even with this 10-game run they are still fourth in the East in net rating. Adding Jae Crowder at the deadline only makes them more dangerous, and they should be co-favorites to win the East and return to the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics have been the best team in the NBA for most of the season, and nothing about their recent play should change that. They’ve won four in a row to hold off the Bucks, and their depth continues to impress as they deal with injuries. Mike Muscala was a sneaky-good acquisition at the deadline, a stretch-big who gives them another weapon in the playoffs.
After winning the East last season, the Celtics look poised to do so again, but there are other contenders for the crown that are dangerous, too. The Eastern Conference Playoffs should be amazing, and the fight down the stretch of the season for playoff positioning just as good.