Everyone can agree that it has been a very bad year for the Eastern Conference. Worse than previous years, but as the season comes to a conclusion we are in for some fun late races in the East. Miami only sits two games back of Indiana for the first seed. Philadelphia is only 1.5 games ahead of Milwaukee for worst team in the NBA (if you’re following the tanking teams). New York, who has been a story of its own, is only 2.5 games behind Atlanta.
However, the biggest race in the East is coming from the teams in the middle of the playoff race. The Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn Nets are separated by two games. The Raptors hold the third seed tie breaker as they are currently tied with the Bulls, and Nets currently sit fifth.
We can all agree Washington will most likely be the Eastern Conference sixth seed and Charlotte will be the seventh seed. It is the battle for third that is most intriguing.
With Brooklyn 7-3 in their last ten games, the Raptors and Bulls are not safe with their current seeding and with just over ten games remaining for each team, it’s time to breakdown how the third to fifth seed in the Eastern Conference will play out.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are beginning to show how banged up and fatigued their roster truly is. Not many Raptors are sitting out due to injuries, but their sixth man Patrick Patterson has missed the teams last nine games and his absence has been quite noticeable. The Raptors have been lacking energy and their bench has been outscored in seven of the nine games Patterson has missed. Center Jonas Valanciunas missed a couple games due to a back injury, Terrence Ross dealt with left hip contusion but didn’t miss any games, just like his teammate Amir Johnson, who’s been banged up all year but refuses to sit.
Raptor stars, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry currently rank third and ninth in minutes per game and Head Coach Dwane Casey is beginning to manage their minutes as well.
Breakdown of Schedule:
Six home games (two vs. Playoff teams)/ Seven road games (One vs. Playoff team)
Four remaining back to backs
10 of 13 games versus teams under .500
Chicago Bulls
It’s been another grind for the Bulls as their star point guard Derrick Rose is out for another season and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau has had to find other ways to win. The Bulls continue to be a defensive force in the NBA as they rank second in the league in points allowed per game at 91.9.
The biggest surprise for the Bulls this year is Joakim Noah, who has surprisingly found another level to his game and he will arguably be in the leagues top 10 for MVP votes. Noah is averaging career highs in points (12.4), rebounds (11.2), assists (5.1) and free throws attempted per game (4.2).
The Bulls have also been able to get the best out of D.J. Augustin, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy. A complete team effort has put the Bulls in position to steal the third seed from the Raptors and possibly face the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs, a team the Bulls have always challenged.
Breakdown of Schedule:
Five home games (one vs. Playoff teams)/six road games (three vs. Playoff teams)
Three remaining back to backs
8 of 11 versus teams under .500
Brooklyn Nets
Someone just woke up the grandpa. A old Nets team looked like they were out of the playoff picture early into the season, but have awoken and could surprise many when the NBA playoffs get under way. The Nets could possibly be the third best team in the East, but be the fifth seed. With all the injuries and Jason Kidd coke spilling, the Nets have been able to overcome a nightmare season.
It isn’t about stats for this team. The Raptors have guys who have played to many minutes, the Bulls are a defensive machine, but the Nets are simply a veteran savvy team. With Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce knowing their careers are winding down, they know exactly how to turn it on during the playoffs. Joe Johnson can lift this team offensively on some nights and Deron Williams has had spurts of looking like his old self. Health and coaching will always be a question going forward for this team, but their experience and talent will always be an advantage.
The Nets also begin the month of April with three straight back to backs. Six games in nine days.
Breakdown of Schedule:
Seven home games (one vs. Playoff team)/Six road games (two vs. Playoff teams)
Four remaining back to backs
10 of 13 versus teams under .500
Prediction for down the stretch:
3. Chicago Bulls: 9-2 (49-33)
4. Toronto Raptors: 8-5 (47-35)
5. Brooklyn Nets: 9-4 (46-36)
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