Sizing up the East when it comes to contenders (Celtics, Cavs, Knicks), darkish horses (Hawks, Bucks, Magic), pretenders (Pacers, 76ers, Warmth) and tankers (Nets, Hornets, and so on.)
ORLANDO — It’s the primary week post-Christmas, a symbolic time within the NBA calendar in that it’s usually time to start out paying consideration.
Adam Silver’s play-in match dampened that slightly — if 20 of 30 groups make the postseason and 5 others are set on tanking, what’s the purpose? — however Christmas nonetheless stays a strong marker for figuring out the contenders, pretenders and others.
With that in thoughts, right here’s a inventory report of the Japanese Convention.
We’re slightly bit greater than one-third into the season, and the Knicks, for the primary time in over a decade, signify a bonafide menace for the NBA Finals (stats and information are via Dec. 26).
Contenders
Celtics (22-8)
The defending champs occupy the highest spot till any individual knocks them off.
They got here out this season with a acknowledged objective of not succumbing to a post-title malaise or hangover, and so they adopted up with a 16-3 begin.
These days, nonetheless, they’ve been sloppy and lacking their 3-pointers.
If there’s one weak spot to the NBA’s greatest rotation, it’s that the Celtics are too reliant on treys.
Cavaliers (26-5)
Kenny Atkinson has labored miracles with this roster, and it’s in all probability time to cease ready for the Cavs to crash again to earth.
With the NBA’s top-ranked offense, they entered Friday’s high-profile showdown towards the Nuggets with a five-game profitable streak.
They’re additionally extremely deep, with 10 gamers averaging at the least 18 minutes.
Knicks (20-10)
Winners of 15 of the final 19 with a beginning lineup that might not be fairly as proficient as Boston’s however within the dialog.
New York’s offense is extremely environment friendly and Tom Thibodeau is starting to make his mark on “D” behind the WingStop tandem of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
Darkish Horses
Magic (19-13)
They’ve been greater than respectable regardless of accidents to prime gamers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, using the top-rated protection within the East whereas forcing over 17 turnovers per contest.
It makes you consider the chances with a completely wholesome roster.
Hawks (16-15)
Rather more harmful than their document and Trae Younger lastly appears to have discovered the precise stability between taking pictures and distributing.
Will likely be a tricky out for any workforce in a playoff collection.
Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are legit.
Sixers (11-17)
Basing this on sheer expertise and the off probability the Sixers can have wholesome our bodies for a whole playoff run.
For those who take a look at the upside of the top-two gamers, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey rank up there with any East duo after Boston’s. Actually, they only beat Boston on Christmas.
However Embiid can also be probably the most unreliable MVP of this period.
Bucks (16-13)
The roster and coach are deeply flawed however the Bucks nonetheless have the perfect participant within the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s 30 years outdated and doesn’t wish to waste one other season.
After a horrible begin, Milwaukee received 11 of 13 at one level but in addition simply fell to the tanking Nets, although, to be truthful, each Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard missed the sport.
Pretenders
Warmth (15-13)
The NBA’s greatest coach can solely take a roster to date.
And that is the tip of the highway for the Warmth, which is coping with the headache of whimsical Jimmy Butler whereas attempting to prop up Tyler Herro as a star.
Barring a seismic commerce, the well-known “Heat Culture” isn’t getting previous the primary spherical.
Pacers (15-16)
A run to the convention finals final season was adopted up with a steep regression from Tyrese Haliburton, whose numbers are down throughout the board.
The Pacers now carry the appear and feel of a mean workforce with a horrible protection.
Pistons (14-17)
Really feel unhealthy placing the Pistons on this class however they don’t match wherever else.
They’re taking part in higher than anticipated however not fairly able to compete for something aside from a playoff spot.
Detroit is exceedingly younger and Cade Cunningham is a star.
Bulls (13-18)
Don’t perceive how prime govt Arturas Karnisovas nonetheless has a job as a result of the Bulls stay probably the most mismanaged group within the NBA.
It will in all probability be the commerce deadline — lastly — he pivots to a rebuild as a result of Chicago is on a highway to nowhere with the East’s second-worst protection.
Tankers
Hornets (7-23)
LaMelo Ball has missed a bunch of video games – what else is new? – and Charlotte is on the way in which to a 3rd straight season with at the least 50 losses.
The Hornets in all probability didn’t begin the marketing campaign considering tank, however they’re already there.
Nets (12-18)
Cam Thomas is doing his greatest to smash Sean Marks recreation of Seize the Flagg, however organizations have a tendency to seek out methods to lose when that’s the purpose. Unloading Dennis Schroder for peanuts revealed the dedication to the tank.
Raptors (7-24)
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett aren’t tentpole stars and the Raptors are discovering that out day by day.
The following step is attempting to obtain compensation for Jakob Poeltl, Chris Boucher and Bruce Brown.
Wizards (5-23)
Predictably the worst workforce within the NBA with Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole as the highest scorers.
Washington’s downside forward of the commerce deadline is no one desires gamers on unhealthy contracts.
And the Wizards are full of these.
