30 NBA Predictions from Quarter Mark to All-Star Break
Before every NBA season, fans and analysts alike go through the annual tradition of predicting the coming year. Now, with the season approximately 20 games in for most teams, we build upon those predictions with a new slate of forecasts for each team based off what we've seen thus far.
Among the hot topics are: What will happen with Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics? Will Ray Allen sign with a contender?
And, of course: How will the Oklahoma City Thunder bounce back after their unexpected rough start?
It's time to break out the crystal ball, NBA fans. There's two months between now and All-Star weekend, and a whole lot can happen in a league that's always full of surprises.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Jeff Teague Will Be An All-Star
Jeff Teague isn't messing around. Unless, of course, you ask Lang Whitaker of NBA.com.
"Jeff Teague is gonna mess around and make the All-Star team…," Whitaker tweeted on Dec. 8 during the Atlanta Hawks' 108-92 win over the Indiana Pacers. In the contest, Teague recorded 21 points, seven assists and three steals while shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
When you watch Teague play, he certainly takes on the role of All-Star for the Hawks. He's orchestrating an offense that has helped the Hawks get out to a 14-6 record and is doing it as the team's best creator in terms of finding shots for himself and his teammates.
The problem is, as you might expect, he has steep competition. Beating out players such as Derrick Rose, Kyle Lowry, Kyrie Irving and Rajon Rondo will prove difficult, but at this point in the process, he looks like a strong candidate to make the All-Star Game if Atlanta continues to win at such a high rate.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Rajon Rondo Will Be Traded
The safe prediction here says that trade rumors will be swirling for Rajon Rondo. The 2015 trade deadline is the last chance for general manager Danny Ainge to get something in return before the point guard becomes a free agent next summer.
Then again, why play it safe when the writing has been on the wall for so long?
Not only have we dealt with Rondo trade rumors each of the past few seasons, but the star floor general is now healthy and producing. He's already posted two triple-doubles (and a handful of near-triple-doubles), boosting his trade value for any franchise that believes he'll stay beyond 2014-15.
The trick, of course, is finding someone to commit to such a risk. There's a market for Rondo—the Celtics just need to be aggressive in determining his true value.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Trade Talk Will Be Much Ado About Nothing
Although it's hardly bold to predict no significant changes, this is a roster that could certainly use a makeover. As Bleacher Report's Stephen Babb put it on Dec. 3, "The Brooklyn Nets aren't terrible, nor are they even close to contending."
Babb continued, "A losing (8-9) record in the comparatively weak Eastern Conference is telling. The Nets have become the league's most expensive bid to be completely average."
That's an appalling place to be if no moves are made.
In Brooklyn's defense, the team isn't shying away from trade talks. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ohm Yougmisuk, Brooklyn is making Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson all available.
ESPN.com's Nick Borges (subscription required) has even reported that head coach Lionel Hollins might be willing to part with Lopez in particular, as the two "don't seem to be on the same page."
The problem: This team is more than one move away from truly contending. Unless a complete overhaul comes to fruition, trade talks should come and go.
Chances are, this core will stick through the remainder of the 2014-15 season.
Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Lance Stephenson Will Still Be on the Roster
"Lance Stephenson is being looked at as the reason that the Charlotte Hornets have disappointed so far this season and is expected to be the first guy out the door, via the trading block."
That quote comes courtesy of B/R's Ric Bucher, and it nicely sums up how the Stephenson-Charlotte relationship has been through the team's first 20 games.
While Charlotte would probably like to see what's available for its free-agent prize, Bucher also notes that the market may not be as strong as the Hornets would like it to be. "I don't know that there's a huge market for Lance Stephenson, but I'm told there will be at least a couple of teams that would be interested."
If the Hornets are willing to test the market this early, there will be suitors. However, Charlotte would be smart to hang onto the 24-year-old until deadline day—if not the remainder of the year—to see if it can build the chemistry it was hoping for right out of the gate.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
The Windy City Will Have Three All-Stars
This one is no easy task, but the Chicago Bulls are looking to separate themselves from most teams come All-Star Weekend.
Let's start with Joakim Noah. Although his numbers are down from years past, he's also playing fewer minutes. There are very few (if any) centers left in today's NBA who play with the passion he does, and his defensive impact and unselfish play are why he's been named an All-Star the past two seasons.
Then there's Derrick Rose. If healthy, he should win the fan vote because of the sheer entertainment value of watching him do what he does best in a fast-paced scrimmage.
This is where the wild card enters. Jimmy Butler is having a breakout season, posting 21.7 points, 3.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game while still exerting perimeter dominance on defense.
Luckily for Butler, even if he hasn't earned enough popularity among fans across the league, he's playing in a conference where the 2-guard position has quickly thinned. He was the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in November for a reason, and continued production will send him to New York for his first All-Star appearance.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Welcome, Ray Allen
Ray Allen, despite giving very little indication as to where he'd like to sign (if he even chooses to return to the court), is the kind of free agent who would help virtually any team in the NBA.
Although teams like the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers could make compelling pitches to the veteran, the Cleveland Cavaliers are considered the favorites by ESPN's Ryen Russillo.
Even though Cleveland's start wasn't as dominant as many expected (or maybe hoped for), this is a group that should be considered a true contender when the postseason begins. With LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving leading the way, the pitch here would be simple.
Come to Cleveland; compete for another ring.
In fact, the roster could be opening up a spot for Allen if the team can successfully swing a deal to send Dion Waiters to the Memphis Grizzlies for Kosta Koufos. That scenario has been brought to the forefront by ESPN.com's Marc Stein, and it's one that would give the Cavs just another excuse to pursue the 39-year-old guard.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Dallas Will Take Over No. 2 Spot in Southwest Division
The Dallas Mavericks are playing the best basketball we've seen from them since their championship run in 2011. Unfortunately, they reside in the league's tougher conference—not to mention the league's toughest division.
The Southwest Division, comprised of Dallas, the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, is brutal. New Orleans is the only team below .500 (9-10), and it's still in the hunt for a final playoff spot (albeit a bit unlikely).
What's phenomenal about this group is that only one game separates the first-place Rockets and fourth-place Mavs. With a total of five games against San Antonio, Houston and Memphis between now and the All-Star Game, Dallas has a huge opportunity to boost itself in the standings.
Don't be shocked if Houston and Memphis cool down just a bit after their hot starts. Don't be surprised, either, if Dallas and San Antonio continue riding their current momentum.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
A Whole Lot of Confusion
Predictions are difficult. Projecting what's going to happen over the course of a season is an entertaining task designed to spark conversation, but it's also onerous in nature considering the twists and turns we see on a regular basis.
When it comes to this year's Denver Nuggets, forecasting the future is downright impossible.
After starting the season 1-6, Denver found a groove. It went 6-1 to counter its poor start, but now it finds itself on a four-game losing streak entering consecutive contests against the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Rockets (again) and Los Angeles Clippers.
Could we see a move to shake things up? Absolutely. Very few players on this roster should be deemed untouchable, and it was even reported by ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz back in November that Denver "isn't crazy about" Kenneth Faried, with an emphasis on head coach Brian Shaw.
All that said, we could also see another winning streak shock us all. Expect something in the middle, as "fringe playoff team" has defined this organization for a while now.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Detroit Will Break up the Trio
As happy as Greg Monroe, Josh Smith and Andre Drummond look in their preseason photo seen above, they might be even less jovial after starting 2014-15 with a 3-18 record.
With nobody smiling in Motown, head coach Stan Van Gundy was brutally honest following a 106-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 2. "We're really messed up right now, I mean we're really messed up as a team," he said via MLive.com's David Mayo.
What will it take to get this crew on board mentally? We might be past the breaking point for this season, but a shift in the roster can't hurt—especially considering this group is competing with the Philadelphia 76ers for the "honor" of not being the worst team in the NBA.
While Monroe, Smith and Drummond are arguably the most-talented players on the roster, the trio hasn't jelled. At the very least, this franchise must gauge interest in Smith and Monroe, hoping that someone will bail the Pistons out of a situation that simply hasn't worked so far.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Golden State Will Cool Down (Barely)
The Golden State Warriors are on another planet right now. They're 18-2, have won 13 straight and are doing it behind an MVP showing from Steph Curry.
Nobody can stop the Warriors at this moment, but they're not going to win 90 percent of their games the rest of the year.
Twenty games into the season, we have to nitpick this organization. But isn't that the ultimate compliment? The biggest concern for a team averaging the fourth-most points scored and fifth-fewest points allowed just might be: How will it play when David Lee, a two-time All-Star, returns to the lineup?
There's also the concern that this team has just the 20th-best strength of schedule so far, according to ESPN.com. But don't forget, it also has solid wins against playoff contenders such as the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers.
So yes, the Warriors will slow down. However, it's not a coincidence they're the best team of this young season.
In other words: Expect to see a lot of what we've already witnessed, just at a slightly more human level.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Houston Will Come Back to Earth
The Houston Rockets are soaring. They started the year 6-0, eventually improved to 9-1 and now have a 16-4 record 20 contests in.
All looks good for a team that was supposed to flop after a first-round playoff exit and a disappointing offseason, but injuries and the competition out West should slow the success this group has had thus far before we get to All-Star weekend.
While injuries to guys such as Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley have thrown a wrench into the mix, it's the absence of Dwight Howard that does the most damage. Furthermore, it's been reported that the big man won't be back "any time soon," according to coach Kevin McHale, via the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen.
When asked if Houston can continue winning without Howard, B/R's Ethan Skolnick put it bluntly: "I'm gonna sell it, and I think it's how you determine winning.
"They're winning at a much higher clip than I thought that they would at this point. I don't think they can sustain that with Dwight out for a long period of time."
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Indy Enters Playoff Picture
The Eastern Conference is brutal—and in the exact opposite way that the West is brutal. Out West, seven of the top eight teams have a winning percentage of at least .727.
In the East, only the top-seeded Toronto Raptors can make that claim.
The Eastern Conference is bad, and the Indiana Pacers are part of the problem. Luckily for them, that means there's plenty of room to make a push for a spot in the postseason.
Following their Dec. 8 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the Pacers sit in 11th place out East with a 7-14 record. The bad news is, they're still trying to find their identity.
The good news is that health is the primary reason this team has been down and out to start the year.
While there's no point banking on a Paul George return, we can focus on the fact that David West has played just six games, Rodney Stuckey just 14 and George Hill has yet to play a single contest. Getting these guys healthy will help get Indy into the top eight, at least temporarily.
How long they stay there will be a discussion for after All-Star weekend.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
The League's Longest Winning Streak
This prediction could be debunked quickly if the Golden State Warriors win against the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 10 and Dec. 13, respectively. It could also be shut down if the Los Angeles Clippers can't come away with a perfect record between Dec. 10 and Dec. 20.
However, L.A. has a chance of making this happen.
With the Warriors set to face back-to-back playoff opponents in their next two outings (the first time that's happened since they saw the San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, respectively), their current 13-game winning streak is at risk.
For Los Angeles, its current winning streak of eight is looking good with six games against Eastern Conference opponents and a showdown with the Denver Nuggets over its next seven.
It would take a perfect storm, but if Golden State drops at least one of its next two, the Clips will have a chance at owning the league's longest winning streak with a win over Denver on Dec. 19 or a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 20.
Don't be shocked if the Clippers become the talk of the league with an impressive hot streak.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
L.A. Will Stand Pat
The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to stay afloat in the league's tougher conference. Unfortunately for fans who are sick of what they're seeing, don't expect the organization to right the ship via midseason acquisitions.
In head coach Byron Scott's own words, via the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina, "We may be a little down this year. Next year will be better and next year will be back where we belong. It’s a process. We all have to bite the bullet a little bit and take it. But we do see the light at the end of the tunnel."
The context of Scott's quote should give fans in Tinseltown hope. The statement made above came after he had proclaimed his "tremendous confidence" in management's ability to still bring in free agents.
Unfortunately for fans who are getting impatient, David Pick of Basketball Insiders indicated in November that he didn't anticipate moves following free-agent workouts. That proved to be the case then, and with Scott's confidence for the future, that should be the case before All-Star weekend as well.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Marc Gasol as an MVP Candidate
For a long time now, Marc Gasol has been pigeonholed as a dominant defender and a complementary offensive asset. As a former Defensive Player of the Year, this categorization hasn't been completely inaccurate, but people are starting to see that the 7'1" center is more than just a defender with solid passing abilities.
Through 20 games, Gasol is averaging a team-high 19.0 points per game to go along with his 8.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His aggressiveness on offense has earned him a career-high 6.6 foul shots per contest, and in typical fashion, he's posting 1.6 blocks per game as well.
Although none of those numbers should be surprising considering Gasol's skill set and current contract situation (he'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2015), it's the first year we can really talk about the big man as a true MVP candidate.
Expect that talk to continue as long as the Grizzlies are winning. He won't be No. 1 in the league, but he'll have a case as the only candidate on the Memphis roster this season.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Dwyane Wade Will Be the League's Top SG
At 32 years old, Dwyane Wade is expected to miss games. That's been the case the past few seasons, and we've already seen it this year with his seven-game absence between Nov. 14 and Nov. 25.
What you might not have anticipated is that the 12-year veteran has been, and should continue to be, the league's most productive shooting guard.
With LeBron James gone, Wade has found a shooting touch that has boosted his numbers to 22 points per game on 54 percent shooting (not to mention a career-best 35.7 percent from downtown). He's also posting 5.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest to go along with his personal efficiency rating (PER) of 25.02, per ESPN.com.
At the quarter mark of the season, Wade leads all shooting guards in PER. He's third in points per game at the position, but his shooting percentage puts to shame the 38.9 percent and 41.1 percent that Kobe Bryant and James Harden are posting, respectively (the two players ahead of him in PPG).
As long as Wade avoids missing significant time, he'll have a strong case as the game's top 2-guard in February. Guys such as Harden, Bryant, Jimmy Butler, Monta Ellis and Klay Thompson might think otherwise, but Wade has tapped into his efficiency in a way no one else has so far this year.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Jabari Parker Will Lead Rookie of the Year Race
Despite being hyped as one of the most-talented draft classes in a long time, 2014's rookies have underwhelmed so far. Part of that has been because of injuries, but not everyone has that excuse.
Take Andrew Wiggins. He was brought in to be the potential face of the Minnesota Timberwolves and has yet to capitalize on a roster sans Kevin Martin's 20.4 points per game (Martin is out with a fractured wrist).
Although Jabari Parker's individual statistics don't scream "star in the making," he's helped the Milwaukee Bucks begin their year with an 11-11 record. Team success isn't always discussed for Rookie of the Year candidates because of their teams' records the previous year, but it must at least be taken into consideration.
Assuming the Milwaukee Bucks don't collapse and fall out the playoff hunt by February, there's no reason Parker shouldn't continue to lead the pack of first-year players. As B/R's Jonathan Wasserman pointed out on Dec. 4, "[Parker's] actually seeing 10 more touches per game than Wiggins (44.4 to 34.4), and he's been the more efficient rookie (47.4 percent shooting) early on."
Wasserman continued, "That shouldn't have come as a surprise, given his refined offensive attack and 235-pound frame." And he's right. Both Parker and Wiggins can, and likely will, improve.
But it's the former who should have the edge when All-Star weekend arrives.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Last Place out West
The Minnesota Timberwolves were supposed to be bad this season. The goal was to take two steps back in order to eventually take a step forward with the trading of Kevin Love.
As it turned out, the Wolves are moonwalking straight into last place in the competitive Western Conference.
Although it's tough to make excuses for a team that's 4-16, injuries have been a problem. This has been a common theme for Minnesota the past few years, but it's especially troublesome this year with so many youngsters now expected to lead the way.
With Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic all sidelined for significant time, players such as Andrew Wiggins, Thaddeus Young, Anthony Bennett and Zach Levine have missed the leadership necessary to grow.
Mo Williams and Corey Brewer have been the "veterans" to take the floor each night, and that's hardly a recipe for success—let alone enough to escape the basement of the Western Conference.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Anthony Davis Will Be First-Half MVP
Anthony Davis is incomparable. Just ask B/R's Grant Hughes, who recently stated, "Anthony Davis is something new. Something never seen before, something that represents—and may as well be from—the future."
Entering his Dec. 9 contest against the New York Knicks, Davis leads the league in PER, according to Basketball-Reference.com. His 33.2 in that category is 5.4 better than DeMarcus Cousins' at No. 2.
For perspective, it's also a difference of 5.4 between Cousins and No. 16 Damian Lillard.
Aside from PER, Davis leads the league in blocks per game and field goals made. He's also second in points per game, third in steals and second in total win shares.
There's only one problem when it comes to Davis' MVP candidacy: team success. That won't stop people from throwing his name around at All-Star weekend, but it could ultimately be what knocks him down a notch in the rankings when voting comes through at the end of the year.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
N.Y. Will Own a Winning Streak of More Than Two Games
It seems ridiculous to make this a legitimate prediction between Dec. 9 (the approximate quarter mark of the season) and Feb. 15 (the All-Star Game), doesn't it?
That's what it's come to for the New York Knicks.
Through 22 games, this franchise has been victorious just four times. Its only two-game winning streak came to an end back on Nov. 4, as a 98-83 loss to the Washington Wizards sent the team into a tailspin that saw it lose seven straight.
At the time of publication, New York is in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. In its defense, the team has lost plenty of close contests as opposed to being blown out.
That, however, can only be call a silver lining in a league that really only looks at wins and losses.
Look for the stretch between Jan. 10 and Jan. 24 as the first and best opportunity for a winning streak.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Back in the Playoff Picture
The Oklahoma City Thunder were dealt a blow when Kevin Durant fractured his foot before the 2014-15 season. Things got worse when Russell Westbrook fractured his hand in the second game of the year.
Both stars are back, but it's clear the team has dug itself into a hole. The club is 7-13, and it's sitting in 12th place in a bloodthirsty Western Conference.
Luckily for OKC, it has talent on its side. Unlike the other seven-win squads this season (Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics), this is a group that has the star power necessary to compete at a championship level.
Despite such an unimposing record, the Thunder won four of their last five. It will take time for them to compete under the returned guidance of their two leaders, but no team outside the top eight of either conference looks like a threat to climb the ladder like this group.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Nikola Vucevic Will Be an All-Star
"[Nikola] Vucevic is an All-Star. When you look at his raw numbers, they are superstar and All-Star worthy."
Sounds like something an Orlando Magic fan would say, right? Definitely not an NBA head coach.
Except that the quote above comes from Los Angeles Clippers lead man Doc Rivers, courtesy of John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com. And as crazy as it sounds, Rivers is right.
Through 23 contests (although the center has only played in 19), Vucevic is averaging 18.6 points to go along with a team-high 11.7 rebounds. Even more impressive is that the Magic are one game out of the playoffs, lending hope for a quicker turnaround than most anticipated for this franchise.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
League's Worst Record
This should come as a surprise to no one. The Philadelphia 76ers lost their first 17 games of the season, and it wasn't until a Dec. 3 matchup against the nearly-as-dreadful Minnesota Timberwolves when they finally got their first victory.
Philly has won two of its last three contests, but don't let that fool you. Those victories came against the Wolves and the Detroit Pistons, with the latter having just three wins of their own at this juncture.
Although you could make a case for the Pistons as the worst team in the league, their miserable showing hasn't been by design. We all knew Philadelphia was going to be bad, but Detroit was supposed to put it together under new head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Aside from coaching, Detroit also has talent on the roster that simply hasn't jelled. Chances are, that team will luck into a few more wins than the Sixers between now and the All-Star weekend.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Abandon Asset Acquisition
The Phoenix Suns have done a brilliant job acquiring assets and building piece by piece to achieve a better future.
Now, however, is the time to put those assets to use.
Last season, we saw the Suns attempt to move pieces for Pau Gasol at the trade deadline, as reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein. No deal ever came to fruition, but it would be smart to see the team explore similar options in 2015.
By the time All-Star weekend comes around, we'll have a better idea of where Phoenix stands, but currently, it's stuck between the lottery and the elite seven squads that all have winning percentages above .726 in the Western Conference.
The Suns aren't in bad shape by any means in terms of talent, or even their own winning percentage (.545), but trading depth and assets for star power just might be what gets them into the next level in such a difficult conference.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
LaMarcus Aldridge Will Make His Fourth All-Star Game
LaMarcus Aldridge is on pace to make his fourth All-Star Game. Plenty of players in today's league have eclipsed that mark, but No. 4 is an important one for this 29-year-old veteran.
For Aldridge, a fourth All-Star appearance will push him one step closer to his goal of becoming the greatest Portland Trail Blazer in franchise history, according to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian (h/t ESPN.com). Not only would four tie him with Sidney Wicks for second in terms of appearances as a Blazer, but it would also move him past Brandon Roy, to whom he played second fiddle for so many years.
With free agency looming for the power forward, Portland is hoping that he sticks true to his word and recognizes his value as one of the franchise's greats. Aldridge earning another place in history can only help the team's cause, and having an All-Star teammate in Damian Lillard by his side is sure to help when the time comes to officially re-sign.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
DeMarcus Cousins Will Finally Be an All-Star
DeMarcus Cousins has looked like an All-Star the past two or three seasons—at least from a statistical standpoint. Unfortunately, it's been his attitude on the court and lack of team success that have kept him from actually earning a spot in the big game's lineup.
This year, we've seen someone who might be the snub of the millennium if he's not chosen to participate. Not only is he averaging 23.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.2 percent, but he's only collected two technical fouls during the first quarter of the season.
With Cousins in the lineup, the Sacramento Kings are an impressive 9-6. Alas, the big man is currently dealing with viral meningitis, and the team has dropped to 11-10 on the year.
Get well soon, Boogie. The Kings need you back in what should be your first season as a full-fledged All-Star.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
San Antonio Spurs Will Stand Atop West
The San Antonio Spurs got off to a rough start this season. They began the year 2-3, and detractors were ready to pounce on a team whose championship window clearly shut this past summer.
As it turns out, the Spurs are still the Spurs. That, of course, means that they're still championship contenders.
Following the 2-3 start, San Antonio has gone 13-2. That includes wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies, and it's what quickly shut down most critics.
Although the team is still just fifth in the Western Conference standings, it has plenty of opportunities to jump ahead. San Antonio plays the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Grizzlies a combined six times between now and the All-Star Game.
To the Spurs' opponents, that's a golden opportunity to push this team further away from the top spot. But for a Gregg Popovich-led crew that utilizes depth more than most, it's a chance to climb the rankings entering the second half of the season.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Toronto Will Remain Atop Eastern Conference
The Toronto Raptors have done nothing to make us believe their rise to the top will be limited to the first quarter of the season. Their 16-5 record is the best out East, and their 9-3 record against Eastern opponents is tied for second best behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Also worth noting is that the team is 7-2 against the superior Western Conference.
Leading the way in Toronto is Kyle Lowry, who has become something of a stat sheet-stuffer. On top of his statistics is the fact that he's doing it without the other half of the Raptors backcourt, DeMar DeRozan.
According to the National Post's Eric Koreen, a timetable has not been set for DeRozan's return. But in a wide-open conference with Lowry playing some of his best basketball, it's tough to see this team faltering with the competition out East as watered-down as ever.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
A Kirilenko Reunion
Andrei Kirilenko spent the first 10 years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz. According to Nick Borges of ESPN.com (subscription required), he could find himself back in Salt Lake City as soon as Dec. 15.
According to Borges' report, Jody Genessy of the Deseret News has stated:
"It’s "very possible" that the small forward, who spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career in Utah, will be traded to the Jazz by the Brooklyn Nets later this month, a source told the Deseret News. In exchange for Kirilenko, the Jazz would send seldom-used forward Jeremy Evans and offseason acquisition Toure’ Murry to Brooklyn.
"
A move like this won't move the needle much for fans across the league considering Kirilenko's recent production. That said, he's a lanky wing with a unique skill set, and he just might add a bit of excitement for his old fanbase as a veteran on a growing roster.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
West Coast Shock
The Washington Wizards have established themselves as the No. 3 seed in the East during the first quarter of the season. They're one-and-a-half games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and their 14-6 record puts them just a game-and-a-half behind the Toronto Raptors for first.
The only problem here is that none of this tells the whole story. Washington has had it relatively easy when it comes to its schedule, as it's just 22nd in terms of ESPN.com's strength of schedule.
Of the Wizards' 20 games, just four (or 20 percent) have come against opponents from the Western Conference. The team is 3-1 in those contests, but the three wins were against non-playoff teams and the loss was to the Dallas Mavericks.
Between now and the All-Star Game, the Wizards are set to play 15 contests against teams from out West in 34 outings (44.1 percent). Of the 15, nine are against playoff opponents.
Unfortunately, two of the contests against non-playoff opponents come against the now-healthy Oklahoma City Thunder.
This could be a telling stretch for this group, but if all else fails, it knows it still has games out East to help it rack up wins during the second half of the year.
