Division Dailies: NBA Atlantic Divison (Eastern Conference Preview)

                                                        Eastern Conference

                                                          Division: Atlantic

Atlantic Preview: This Division comes into the 08-09 season with three well established teams.

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Preview Standings:   Team                  Wins                 Loses

                           Boston Celtics        60+                 20-

                           Toronto Raptors     46+                 30-

                           Philadelphia 76ers   45-                 37+

                           New Jersey Nets    34-                 48+

                           New York Knicks    19+                 60-

Boston Celtics- Winning the Championship for the first time in 22 years must have felt amazing for the Boston Celtics. But winning one back-to-back would be extraordinary. Expect the Celtics to play just as strong as they did last season and you can bet that they win around 60 games once again.

Toronto Raptors- Acquiring Jermaine O' Neal this off season was a huge deal for the Toronto team and their fans. Now O' Neal will pair up with Chris Bosh; making a dynamic duo down low on the court. Jose Calderon will start at the point-guard position as T.J Ford departs for Indiana. You will see an increase in almost every category for Calderon this 08-09 season. Expect a surprise year for the Raptors.

Philadelphia 76ers- The 76ers signed Elton Brand this off season adding another big man alongside the 6'11" Center Samuel Dalembert. With Andre Miller controlling the point and Andre Iguodala at small forward, we can expect a great record over .500. They will have to fight to make the playoffs this season.

New Jersey Nets- First it was Kidd to depart...now it's Jefferson...Vince Carter finally has the Nets all to himself. The team is full of young talent including 7'0", 21 year old Yi Jianlian and Brooke Lopez(the 20 year old 7'0" rookie out of Stanford). Alongside of them is 25 year old Devin Harris who still hasn't proved himself in the league. This could be his season to show signs of brilliance at the point. In the seasons to come the New Jersey Nets will have a fighting chance at making the playoffs. For now, they will win nothing more than 35 games this season.

New York Knicks- Boy Oh Boy....what to do with the New York Knicks... Is Marbury even on the team anymore? Allan Houston is back from retirement? The Knicks are a complete mess as of right now. Signing PG Chris Duhon to a two year contract was a plus for the Knicks as well as taking a gamble on the Italian rookie Danilo Gallinari. Don't expect the Knicks to win much more than 20 games this season, if that.

Playoff Predictions- Boston Celtics- First Seed

                          Toronto Raptors- Fifth Seed

                          Philadelphia 76ers- Eighth Seed