NBA Eastern Conference Update

Posted by Mark Barnes Feb 3, 2007

NBA Eastern Conference Notes

Toronto Raptors leading Atlantic Division

With NBA fans nationwide focusing on the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and numerous other interesting Western Conference teams and players, the Toronto Raptors have quietly gone 11-4 in their last 15 games and taken the lead in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.

Led by NBA All-Star Game starter Chris Bosh, who averages 23 points and 11 rebounds a game, Toronto has recently taken two games from Eastern Conference-leading Washington, and the Raptors have an impressive loss at Phoenix by just two points.

TJ Ford is turning in beautiful point guard play with nearly 8 assists per night, and five Raptors are averaging double figure points.

NBA's Central Division is tight

For a brief time, it looked like the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James were ready to dominate the Central Division. In just a few short weeks, things have changed.

Detroit, with new free agent Chris Webber playing regularly, has taken the top spot, and Chicago and Cleveland are a game back. Indiana, at 25-21, is lurking close behind, just two and a half games out of first place.

The Pistons visit Cleveland, in a huge game, just prior to the All-Star break. This game could play a large role in division tie-breakers, should things remain this tight in the second half, which appears very likely.

Boston falls to new low

Th legendary Boston Celtics have lost a team-record 14 straight games.

It might be easy to blame a streak like this on coach Doc Rivers, until you take a careful look at this team.

First, star forward Paul Pierce is hurt. Prior to Pierce's injury, the Celtics were still in the race in the woeful Atlantic Division.

Now, he's gone and Boston's starting five is composed of third-year point guard Delonte West, solid rookie guard Rajon Rondo, third-year center Al Jefferson, journeyman forward Brian Scalabrine, who averages under 4 points for his career, and second-year small forward Ryan Gomes, who is steady but a bit slow at 6-7, 250.

Wally Sczcerbiak comes off the bench with 16 points per game, but his skills are limited to long-range gunning.

With a healthy Pierce, Boston could still be a lottery team in the 2007 NBA draft. Without Pierce, the Celtics could have the first pick.

If there's hope of regaining the old Celtics glory, Boston had better keep losing and land that top pick.

It's definitely time to start over.