Ranking Celtics’ top competitors in East at NBA All-Star break

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Ranking Celtics’ top competitors in East at NBA All-Star break originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics were the preseason favorite to win the Eastern Conference entering the 2024-25 season, and that hasn’t changed at the All-Star break.

Despite being 5.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East standings, the Celtics remain the team to beat in the conference. They are the only team ranked top five in both offensive and defensive rating.

What’s changed is the top contenders to their throne.

The Miami Heat, especially post-Jimmy Butler trade, are no longer a real threat. The Philadelphia 76ers were largely viewed as the No. 1 competitor to the Celtics in the East coming into the season, but the Sixers are in serious danger of missing the playoffs. They’ve been the most disappointing team in the league by far.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were expected to be a top-four or top-five seed, and now they are likely to finish No. 1 and win 60-plus games.

So, who are the top competitors to the Celtics in the East right now? Check out our updated top five below.

5. Orlando Magic

Current record: 27-29

The Magic are down to seventh in the East, largely because of injuries. Paolo Banchero has missed 34 games, but when healthy, he has the potential to be an elite player. Franz Wagner is another tremendous player, and he’s missed 20 games due to injury. Jalen Suggs has missed 21 games as well.

There’s a ton of talent on this Magic roster. This group plays with a lot of effort and has great length on defense, so it’s not surprising it ranks second in blocks per game and seventh in steals per game, along with the league’s third-best defensive rating. They have also given the Celtics fits in recent years. The Magic have won five of their last nine games versus the C’s.

Orlando is starting to get healthier with both Banchero and Wagner back in the lineup. Without any more significant injury setbacks, the Magic could climb up the standings post-All Star break thanks to the league’s fifth-easiest schedule the rest of the way.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Current record: 29-24

The Bucks…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-celtics-top-competitors-east-125143186.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2025-02-14 12:51:00

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