NBA Eastern Playoff Race
1. Boston Celtics (60-15), 1st Atlantic
The way that Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have turned this franchise around is truly remarkable. Not to disregard Paul Pierce, who I personally think is a HOF-player, KG and Ray-Ray have brought back recognition into this once-tainted franchise.
2. Detroit Pistons (53-21), 1st Central
The Pistons got possibly their biggest win of the season on Sunday afternoon, but with a bit of a catch. SG Richard Hamilton went down in the third quarter of Detroit’s 110-101 victory over the Spurs with a left ankle injury. X-rays were taken and more information should be made public later on Monday. Aside from this bad news, the Pistons seem to be getting their act together at the right time. After dropping four of five earlier in the month, Detroit is currently on a four game high and have increased their lead in the Central to 7.5 games. PG Chauncey Billups has been a beast of late, averaging 25.5 PPG, 6.3 APG and 4.3 RPG over his last four. Also, SF Tayshaun Prince is quietly emerging as a top candidate for the Most Improved Player award. Not only did Prince drop a career-high 31 against the Hawks this week, but he’s also averaging 23.0 PPG and 6.5 RPG over his last four. Barring any disasters, the Pistons should have no problems holding off the Celtics for the two seed.
3. Orlando Magic (47-28), 1st Southeast
The most under-appreciated team in the Eastern Conference have a chance to advance past the first round. With a MVP candidate in Dwight Howard (Past 10 games: 19.6 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 57 FG%) and two others playing at an all-star level (Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis), this team could be a serious threat in the playoffs. Orlando just won a club-record 24 road wins and have will have message to all the nay-sayers come playoff time.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (42-33), 2nd CE
Despite playing with arguably the best player in the game, LeBron James, the Cavs are having a bad year compared to last season. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is back from injury and is playing like a borderline all-star for the majority of March and Devin Brown has given them some quality games.
I really don't have a clear reading on this team. With a great player like Chris Bosh, you would think that this team shouldn't be bordering over .500 but they are. They have been inconsistent in the center position, Jose Calderon was recently benched for T.J. Ford, Jamario Moon has been everywhere offensively and what the hell is Andrea Bargnani doing? One night he has 16, the next night its 5, then 12, then 2 and so on. They need to establish the bench going towards the playoffs.
6. Washington Wizards (38-37), 2nd SE
Agent Zero has returned!!! Even though the Wizards have managed to sustain a positive team record thanks to Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler playing at great levels, any team with Gilbert Arenas is going to be a good team. Add the emerging rookie (Nick Young) and a deadly shooter (Roger Mason), they should only get better.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (38-37), 3rd AT
The team that nobody believed could relive the 2006-07 season-ending run of getting a playoff spot. No Allen Iverson means lottery-bound, right? Well this team has found a new identity has a fast-tempo team with a great point guard in Andre Miller leading the way. Andre Iguodala has also proving that he can be a go-to guy and his team will be able to win. With Samuel Dalembert and Louis Williams having breakout seasons and two solid backup swingmen in Thaddeus Young and Rodney Carney, this team will pose problems.
8. Atlanta Hawks (35-40), SE
The Atlanta Hawks have really come a long way up to this season. With the firing of G.M. Billy King and Mike Woodson being in the doghouse for not being productive, this team could be finally headed to the postseason for what seems like a long time. The trade for Mike Bibby really improved this team has his 3-point shooting and leadership was really needed for this Hawks team. With an all-star player in Joe Johnson, an up-and-coming defensive force in Josh Smith, and a nice supporting cast with Marvin Williams, Al Horford, and Josh Childress, this team should be a force for a number of seasons.
