Here are our Eastern Conference power rankings going into the weekend.
1. Toronto Raptors (16-4) Last week: 1
The Raptors lost three straight but came back with four wins in a row - albeit against inferior teams. Kawhi Leonard's presence has really helped the games of Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Toronto should be at or near the top of the conference for most of the season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (13-5) Last week: 2
The Bucks followed up a nice win over the Blazers with a bad loss at home to the Suns. It happens. Giannis Antetokounmpo is having an MVP-caliber season as expected. Pending free agent Khris Middleton and his outside shooting have been a perfect complement to the Greek Freak.
3. Sixers (13-8) Last week: 4
Much like the Bucks, the Sixers lost to a bad opponent in the Cavs. Again, it happens. With Jimmy Butler in the fold, games against Memphis and Toronto in early December should make for a couple fun tests.
4. Boston Celtics (10-9) Last week: 3
There's too much talent on this team and their coach is way too good to have the record they have, but here we are. The Celtics suffered three straight losses, including one to the Knicks, before beating up on the lowly Hawks Friday. I still expect them to bounce back at some point.
5. Indiana Pacers (11-8) Last week: 5
The Pacers are a good team, but I believe they headline the second tier of the East after the teams above. Victor Oladipo is a star, but the rest of the team is made up of good-but-not-great players. With that said, there seems to be a significant drop off after Indiana.
6. Charlotte Hornets (9-9) Last week: 6
Basically the only reason the Hornets are here is Kemba Walker. Walker followed a 60-point performance against the Sixers with a 43-point night against the Celtics. He was incredibly efficient in an 11-assist performance in a win over the Pacers.
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7. Detroit Pistons (9-7) Last week: 7
Blake Griffin has cooled off a bit from his ridiculous start. Andre Drummond has had a decent season but the duo have had little help. The win over the Rockets is nice, but the way the Pistons' roster is constructed with their bigs being their best two players is troubling in today's NBA.
8. Orlando Magic (9-10) Last week: 9
I was tempted to have the Magic up higher because they've beaten or have had hard-fought losses against stiff competition. Like the Pistons, they just have such an odd roster construction with Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic as their best two players.
9. Brooklyn Nets (8-12) Last week: 11
Before Caris LeVert's injury, I had hopes for the Nets to not be a cellar-dweller. But with LeVert's gruesome injury, it'll be tough for Brooklyn to do much damage without their leading scorer.
10. Washington Wizards (6-12) Last week: 10
The Wizards have shown some signs of life but there are rumors that they might be looking to blow it up. Bradley Beal is their most attractive trade piece but reportedly the asking price is ridiculous. Stay tuned.
11. Miami Heat (7-11) Last week: 8
Josh Richardson has been great but the rest of the Heat have not.
12. New York Knicks (6-14) Last week: 12
The Knicks have won two pretty impressive games in a row over the Celtics and Pelicans. Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to score in bunches while undrafted rookie Allonzo Trier is impressing.
13. Chicago Bulls (5-14) Last week:13
Zach LaVine has tailed off and the injuries to Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn haven't helped.
14. Atlanta Hawks (3-16) Last week: 14
With John Collins back, the Hawks will get a little better look at their future along with Trae Young.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-14) Last week: 15
They beat the Sixers but they still stink.
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