Contenders and Pretenders: NBA Eastern Conference Postseason Probables

With roughly two months remaining in the 2007-08 season, the elite teams are starting to show up at the right times while the pretenders are slumping into the summer.

With that being said, here are the possible matchups that could culminate into bolstering television ratings for the NBA...

1) Boston Celtics (47-12)

Can anyone remember the last time Boston was at the top of the Eastern Conference food chain?

If you can, yes, it's been that long for the rest of us.

Since the formation of the Big Three, the Celtics have been on a tear. They started the season with high hopes and the way they played made it clear that they were determined to no longer be the laughing stock of the Eastern Conference.

Somewhere in America, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird are smiling at the good fortune of Boston and somewhere in Hardwood Heaven, Reggie Lewis is impressed and proud of the transition of his Celtics. With a four game lead for the top spot, and a six game winning streak, the Celtics just have to keep doing what they're doing and they'll be sitting pretty come the playoffs.

2) Detroit Pistons (44-17)

The Pistons have had a few flat tires, but the engine's have been running for Detroit recently. Despite the loss to Boston last night, the Pistons are still the No. 2 seed heading into the final stretch. Momentum is everything when you play at least two games a week over a span of half a year. Detroit is hoping to get some momentum back and find that magic they had when they won an NBA Championship.

They came close last season and have some games against possible playoff opponents the remainder of the season. The Pistons have moved past the incident involving Ron Artest, the flip flopping of Larry Brown, and Rasheed Wallace actually looks like a team player instead of a showboat. Expect the Pistons to settle for nothing less than an NBA Title, but they might have to slow down the Celtics this summer to do that.

3) Orlando Magic (40-23)

If there was a team whose future was up in smoke in the offseason, it's the Magic. First, they thought that they had their head coach in Billy Donovan, but all of a sudden Donovan decided he'd rather stay in the college ranks. So they went searching again and found Stan Van Gundy and haven't looked back since.

With several teams in their rear view, Orlando has shown that there is life after Grant Hill. Dwight Howard has filled his new leadership role quite nicely. They are no longer thinking draft in the summer; they are thinking playoffs. And if the last few years have proven anything, the underdogs like the Magic find a way to win despite adversity. As their motto for the season says: "The Time is Now!"

During the final two months of the season, eight of their games are against potential playoff teams (including defending champion San Antonio). Winning at least half of those games could keep them at the No. 3 spot and possibly put them in the No. 2 spot.

4) Cleveland Cavaliers (35-26)

The defending Eastern Conference champions are sick of being called a fluke. They are out to prove that their miracle run wasn't just a one hit wonder. The Cavs already had a proven leader in LeBron James, but they felt that he should have some help heading into the final stretch of the season. So while King James has been battling Kobe for the MVP award, the rest of the Cavs have been helping him keep Cleveland in the thick of the postseason picture.

Cleveland has 12 games against possible playoff teams including a couple of showdowns with Detroit. The Cavs biggest problem has been not finishing what they started. They started off great in several games, but were not able to complete the domination. That type of playing won't fly once they get into the postseason.

Winning at least seven of those 12 tough games will assure them a spot in May, but Cleveland will have to have momentum on their side if they are looking to repeat last season's success.

5) Toronto Raptors (33-27)

The Raptors drafted Vince Carter in the hopes of becoming a threat in the Eastern Conference. Carter has since left the tundra of Canada for the Soprano-like setting of New Jersey. Now the Raptors are seeded fifth, but don't look to be settling for that.

Led by Chris Bosh and an army of unknowns, the Raptors have finally earned that much needed respect. With 13 tough games on their remaining schedule, including a meeting with Kobe's Lakers in less than a week, the Raptors need a strong finish to solidify themselves as a threat in the playoffs.

Do you think Vince Carter is kicking himself for asking for a trade? Probably, but the Raptors aren't worried about him at this moment. They look more determined than they have been in recent years, and if that's any sign of things to come, Toronto could be this year's Cleveland.

6) Washington Wizards (29-31)

Their record may not show it, but the Wizards are doing decent in the absence of Gilbert Arenas. While Arenas is being anything but moot about his future in Washington, the Wizards are trying to secure a playoff berth. They have a bundle of talent which will be tested by somewhat talented teams facing them in the future, including Boston's Big Three and second seeded Detroit.

Truth be told, they could be a punching bag for other teams in the postseason, especially with the run that Orlando has been on. No matter what Arenas does, or if he even decides to play this season, the Wizards may do what the Bulls did with Joakim Noah and send him to detention. Regardless, Washington is doing whatever it takes to get things done without him, and they are looking for some reason to smile at season's end.

7) Philadelphia 76ers (28-33)

Since the departure of AI, the Sixers have been close to dismal. They have had some high points, but it's going to take more than a win over the Suns to get things going in the postseason. Andre Igoudala and Andre Miller have done everything in their power to keep the Sixers in the playoff hunt.

They have 13 games against potential postseason entrants and will have to see Boston, Detroit, and Cleveland at least two more times each before season's end. They don't play the Wizards until next month and by then Arenas may be playing. Simply put, they need to win as many games as they can and hope that Arenas' ego leads to the Wizards downfall. If all those variables come true the 76ers may be able to snag the sixth seed.

But honestly, how much can they have in the tank by the time that they lock horns with the Wizards in April?

8) New Jersey Nets (26-35)/Atlanta Hawks (24-35)/Chicago Bulls (24-36)

The Nets have finally given Jason Kidd what he wanted, and in the end, it might have helped them. They still have Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, and Devin Harris. The Nets are clinging to a slim lead and it won't be any easier. Their first five games of the month involve teams wanting to keep their possible playoff spots, including the hottest team in the NBA, Houston.

Ironically enough, the final month of the season has the Nets playing their first five games also against playoff contenders. To make it even worse for them, their season ender is against Boston. Jersey's Big Three better bring their A+ game with them, otherwise another team will get their spot in the postseason.

Atlanta is two games out of the final spot in the postseason, which makes them one of the two bubble teams of the East. Mike Bibby has resurrected his career in Atlanta, while Al Horford has proven that 'Gator Nation' is alive and kicking in the NBA. The Hawks have relied heavily on Joe Johnson to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Their big bonus is that one of their losses could be avenged when they finish a make up game with the Heat due to a rule violation. Besides that, they have 10 games against possible playoff contenders, and wins over at least eight of them will have them in a better position than they are at this moment. 

Chicago has had a rebuilding year. After the controversy that surrounded Joakim Noah and with Ben Wallace gone to the third team of his career, the Bulls will have work extra hard to get things done if they want a trip to the postseason.

They're two-and-a-half games out of the eighth spot, have a couple of slugfests against Eastern Conference powerhouse Boston, and they don't have Big Ben to get physical in the paint. They still find ways to win, however, so something must be working. Key wins over playoff teams will get things going in their favor.

It's the final stretch. Ten teams battling for eight spots. Doesn't get any better than a down to the wire playoff run. Enjoy the next two months because it doesn't get any easier in May.