Raptors Still Atop Atlantic
Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE
The entire NBA Atlantic Division is off tonight as there are only three games on the NBA schedule. So let’s take a look at the teams and their upcoming schedules and whether or not they have a realistic shot at the playoffs.
Toronto Raptors– Not only do they have a shot, they are likely going to win the division and host a first round series. They are currently 33-26 which is a good record in the Eastern Conference. They lead the Brooklyn Nets by 3.0 games in the division and will visit them on Monday. Before that game they play the Sacramento Kings at home on Friday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road on Saturday. They last played on Sunday when they downed the Golden State Warriors 104-98. A nice four game win streak here and they can just about wrap it up.
Brooklyn Nets– The Nets are 30-29 and in second place in the Atlantic. They are 3.0 behind and with a home game against the division leading Raptors on Monday, now would be a good time to get hot. They are on a four game win streak right now and will play the Boston Celtics on the road on Friday and the Kings at home on Sunday. If they can get a little help from the Kings and T-Wolves, Monday’s came against the Raptors could be huge. Right now they are sixth the East and would be looking at facing the Raptors or the red hot Chicago Bulls in the first round.
New York Knicks– The Knicks are a train wreck at 22-40. Picked to be among the Eastern Conference contenders, they have been a disaster all season. Now they must look ahead to the draft and whether or not they want Carmelo Anthony to return. And Anthony must decide if he wants to come back. The smart move would be to let him go because the ball tends to stick when it goes to him. He is the proverbial “black Hole”. The ball goes in and never comes out again. They will host the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
Boston Celtics– The Celtics are a young team. They have a young coach and a slew of young players. What they must decided is what to do with Rajon Rondo. Does he fit into future plans? Or do they trade him for draft picks? Our guess is he gets dealt. After all, he isn’t going to get better and he couldn’t get them to the playoffs this year. The Celtics have the Nets coming in on Friday so their fans can relive the past when Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett visit.
Philadelphia 76ers– The Sixers would just like to win a game at this point. They have lost 15 in a row and our challenging the Milwaukee Bucks for the worst record in the NBA. They are 15-46 and have the Jazz coming in on Saturday.
