The Eastern Conference standings have shaken up in the second half of the NBA season. As the end of the regular season approaches, some teams have emerged as top contenders while others have fallen under the category of pretenders. Below is a look at where the teams that remain in the playoff hunt lie.
Contenders
Cleveland Cavaliers
The hottest team in the East since the All-Star break, the Cavaliers have emerged as a top contender in the conference. David Blatt was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in March and finally seems to have his ducks in a row. LeBron James' health has been a huge factor, along with stellar play from the rest of the lineup. In their 18th consecutive win at home, the Cavaliers topped the Chicago Bulls 99-94 behind a triple-double from James and 24 points from J.R. Smith. Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 27 points in a game that was filled with buzzer-beaters. Having won three straight and 11 of their last 13 games, the Cavaliers appear to be the most poised team in the Eastern Conference to make a run at the NBA Finals.
Atlanta Hawks
As for the top team in the conference, the Hawks have played a shaky second half of the season. They have won five of their last ten games, but lost Paul Millsap to a shoulder injury in their most recent win against the Brooklyn Nets. The timetable for his return is unknown, but the Hawks were able to blow out the Nets 131-99 behind a balanced scoring attack. They remain one of the best home teams in the NBA with a 33-5 record at Philips Arena. Still seven and a half games ahead of the pack in the standings, a healthy Hawks team is a force to be reckoned with. They, along with the Cavaliers, stand out as one of the few true contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Chicago Bulls
Even without Derrick Rose, the Bulls have maintained their spot among the top three teams in the East. Although they are coming off of a loss against the Cavaliers, they have won six of their last ten games. Just four games back from the Cavs, there is still a chance for the Bulls to move up in the standings. Rose is expected to return within a week, which could not be better timing. To this point, the Bulls are the third-best team in the East and are poised to make a run through the playoffs. Health will be key, but their well-rounded lineup creates one of the tougher matchups for opponents.
Pretenders
Toronto Raptors
Once atop the Eastern Conference earlier in the season, it has been the DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry show in Toronto. Lowry is averaging 17.9 points per game and 6.9 assists per game in an All-Star season. After battling injuries, Derozan is averaging 19.9 points over the course of the season. Louis Williams has been a solid piece for the Raptors, but they have not received enough out of Jonas Valanciunas, who has often dictated the team's success. Defense has been a weakness for the Raptors, who have now lost two straight games. They sit just one game behind the Chicago Bulls in the standings, but do not have enough fire power to make a run to the Finals.
Washington Wizards
Another team that has fallen in the standings in the second half of the season, the Wiz Kids have been streaky as of late. They are winners of three straight, but have lost five of their last 10. Right in the thick of things at fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Wizards have a shallow bench which has forced them to rely heavily on their starters. John Wall has been tasked with carrying much of the load, as well as Bradley Beal. While Paul Pierce has played well, the aging veteran's success has come in spurts. His playoff experience will benefit the Wizards, but will not be enough to make up for their lack of depth. One of the better defensive teams in the conference, the Wiz Kids do not have the fire power on offense to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks
Having lost 16 of their last 23 games, the Bucks have slipped under .500, yet have maintained their position as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Questionable moves at the trade deadline may be at fault, but, with five games remaining, Jason Kidd's team has lost their ability to move up further in the standings nonetheless. In fact, they will now be tasked with fighting off the last two playoff teams in order to hold their ground. A looming matchup against a top-three team in the conference will likely result in the Bucks being one of the first three out of the postseason.
Miami Heat
Currently on the outside looking in, the Heat are likely to make the postseason. Behind the likes of Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, the defending Eastern Conference Champions sit just one game behind the Boston Celtics for the final playoff spot. They are nine games under .500 and have now lost four straight. Losers of seven of their last 11 games, the Heat will be pondering the "what-ifs" as Chris Bosh watches their season come to a close from the sideline.
Brooklyn Nets
Sitting one game ahead of the Boston Celtics in seventh place in the standings, the Nets have finally formed some sort of team chemistry. Arguably the biggest under-performer of the season, the Nets have now won eight of their last 10 games behind the likes of Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Thaddeus Young. In their last victory against the Toronto Raptors, Lopez and Williams each scored over 30 points on their way to a double-double. Better late than never, as the saying goes, but at this point in the season, the Nets are too late to have any hope in contending for a championship.
Boston Celtics
The last current playoff team, the Celtics have made a late push for the postseason. Marcus Smart has played well during an injury-tested rookie season, scoring a game-winning buzzer-beater against the Raptors the last time out. The return of Jared Sullinger-who was once thought to be lost for the season-will prove to be a big factor in their hunt for the playoffs. Isaiah Thomas will likely lead the way, but the overwhelming youth on this team will be their downfall. Although Brad Stevens has done an excellent job in his second season with the team, the Celtics are lined up for a tough first-round matchup against the Hawks. If they manage to hold on to the eighth seed, Stevens' squad is unlikely to make it past the first round of the playoffs.
Indiana Pacers
The rapid return of Paul George is likely to allow the Pacers to secure a playoff berth. They are currently one game back from the Celtics for the eighth seed and have been one of the more impressive teams this season. Although they are nine games under .500, the Pacers have hung tough without George. They have benefited from great play by George Hill, who has stepped up while battling injuries which have cut his season in half. If Paul George plays even remotely close to the way he has the past several seasons, the Pacers may even be able to squeak out a playoff series win. But that would be all for a team whose scoring has been largely inconsistent throughout the season.
Charlotte Hornets
The final pretender in the Eastern Conference is also only a couple games away from making the postseason. A very inconsistent team throughout the season, the Hornets were once as high as seventh in the standings. They have lost ten of their last fifteen games and, although they beat the Hawks in that span, the Hornets are not ready to make a run at the title. The addition of a veteran point guard in Mo Williams was a healthy acquisition, but not enough to vault them into the playoffs. At 10 games under .500, the Hornets still have a chance and have a weak Eastern Conference to thank. Nonetheless, they will likely miss out on the postseason.