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Is there a better karaoke song than “Alone” by Heart? No, there isn’t.
East Check-in
What to look forward to down the stretch
We’re through roughly two-thirds of the 2023-24 NBA season, so let’s dive into the Eastern Conference and figure out what to keep an eye on as the Play-In and playoffs near. We’ll hit the West below:
1. Boston Celtics (43-12): Does East-leading Boston have its ticket punched to the NBA Finals? The Celtics have been the most dominant team in the NBA by being dynamite on offense and defense. So, why does anybody else feel like they have a shot?
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17): The Cavs have been on a crazy run and look much better than their 51-win selves from a season ago. Is there a reason we don’t buy the Donovan Mitchell-led squad?
3. Milwaukee Bucks (35-21): Doc Rivers’ quotes alone make the Bucks our most-covered team in the East the rest of the season. We should note that we’ve done it again today.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ all-time leading scorer. But Damian Lillard is who he wants with the ball down the stretch this season.
“I am his biggest fan.”
Antetokounmpo spoke to @eric_nehm on playing with Lillard and what’s to come this year ⤵️https://t.co/MIySnyF5qF pic.twitter.com/9qMKlgc7cF
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 22, 2024
4. New York Knicks (33-22): A healthy Knicks team can absolutely make the Eastern Conference finals. Can they reach their first NBA Finals since pre-Y2K?
5. Philadelphia 76ers (32-22): The Tyrese Maxey show is on reruns until we get to see Joel Embiid on the court again. Philly is 3-5 since the reigning MVP went down.
6. Indiana Pacers (31-25): These Pacers, with health on their side, can still end up sporting the best offense in NBA history, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s continued ascension.
Tyrese Haliburton’s rise validated by All-Star praise: ‘The league should belong to him’ ⤵️https://t.co/JwpgljKWzL
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) February 22, 2024
7. Miami Heat (30-25): We’ve seen this team confound the league and the internet time and time again. I’ll never doubt the Heat have another run in them.
8. Orlando Magic (30-25): This is my favorite young team outside of OKC. This Magic team plays defense beyond its years and experience.
9. Chicago Bulls (26-29): Let’s all celebrate Coby White in his current campaign for the Most Improved Player award. He deserves it.
10. Atlanta Hawks (24-31): You never know if the Hawks will randomly turn a season around or embarrass themselves beyond belief.
11. Brooklyn Nets (21-33): They just fired Jacque Vaughn as the coach. Can Kevin Ollie bring any positive feelings to Brooklyn?
12. Toronto Raptors (19-36): Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are the future core of this team, so let’s see if that means anything anytime soon.
13. Charlotte Hornets (13-41): Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball are the only real reasons to find even a glimmer of hope with this team.
14. Washington Wizards (9-45): The Wizards have been such a chaotic mess all season long, that it’s possible they’re going to finish with the worst record in basketball. Not only that — we want to see how low the depths of the Jordan Poole experience go.
15. Detroit Pistons (8-46): They’re no longer in danger of challenging for the worst record in NBA history, so can Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham team up with Jalen Duren well enough to feel like the future is bright?
The Latest From Shams
McClung talks dunks and more with Vinsanity
Two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung recently became the first back-to-back winner since Zach LaVine (2015-16). Nate Robinson (2009-10), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Michael Jordan (1987-88) are the only others to do so.
The 25-year-old McClung, who is currently playing for the Orlando…
This article was originally published by a theathletic.com . Read the Original article here. .