(Photo : Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)) CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 12: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates throughout the third quarter towards the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers 123-121. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement.
With the NBA All-Star break lastly closing in, we now sit up for the ultimate two months of the NBA common season.
There are a number of totally different storylines to look at within the Eastern Conference because the league will shift gears heading into the ultimate stretch of the season.
NBA Teams to Watch within the East: Cavaliers Ride on Donovan Mitchell and Defense
The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17) have discovered a lot success currently.
The Cavaliers, who have been as soon as at 18-15 and struggling to search out the magic that made them so profitable final season, at the moment are the most effective groups within the league and wish to lock up home-court benefit for many of the NBA playoffs.
The Cavs are recent off an in depth win towards the Chicago Bulls and are at the moment one of many hottest groups within the league. They have reeled off 10 victories of their final 11 video games and have now jumped to the second seed within the Eastern Conference.
All-Star capturing guard Donovan Mitchell is continuous to have a stellar season averaging 28.3 factors per recreation, which is fourth within the league in scoring and matches the career-best he set final season; incomes him the Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
Mitchell has additionally constructed a respectable MVP case this season based mostly on his play up to now. Not solely persevering with to be a deadly scorer, Mitchell has additionally improved his playmaking. He is at the moment main his workforce in assists at 6.3 a recreation and has stepped up defensively in areas that he has struggled in all through his profession.
Along with Mitchell, Jarrett Allen continues to be the most effective inside forces within the NBA. Allen is averaging 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks an evening, serving to lead the Cavaliers as a top-five protection within the league.
It could be fascinating to see if the Cavaliers’ success within the playoffs impacts Donovan Mitchell’s pending contract negotiations this offseason. Can they take one other soar and set up themselves as an Eastern Conference Elite when it issues probably the most?
Read More: NHL Trade Deadline: Ducks C Adam Henrique
NBA Teams to Watch within the East: Can the Heat Go on a Run?
Say what you need concerning the Miami Heat, they all the time discover a method.
The Heat, who’ve simply reeled off two large wins towards the 76ers and the Bucks, aren’t identified a lot for his or her common season success. However, within the face of adversity, they all the time discover a approach to flip it on within the postseason. As a end result, the Heat often discover themselves enjoying in large video games late in June.
The Heat are at the moment 30-25, which is nice for the seventh seed within the Eastern Conference. Based on their observe document, it is easy to consider they’ll make one other deep postseason run.
Shooting Guard Jimmy Butler, regardless of lacking 17 video games this season, and middle Bam Adebayo have continued to have stellar seasons.
Tyler Herro has remained an environment friendly scorer for the Heat, and rookie sensation Jaime Jaquez Jr. has regarded electrical this season.
This season has been filled with ups and downs for the reigning Eastern Conference champs. They have but to search out the mojo that took them to the finals final season.
Can the Heat elevate their play in time for the postseason to make one other unbelievable run?
NBA Teams to Watch within the East: Will Doc Rivers Put the Bucks Over the Top?
Undoubtedly, the Milwaukee Bucks (35-20 ) are having a stellar season behind the play of stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokumpo.
There’s little doubt the workforce seems primed for one more championship. However, it could be more durable this time round based mostly on the workforce’s defensive points.
Head coach Doc Rivers says the workforce wants to search out its identification on the defensive aspect of the ground.
“Right now, what our team is, we get our personality from the offensive end. And we don’t want that. We want to get our personality from the defense, playing hard and doing defensive things. Tonight, you could just see it,” Rivers mentioned.
The Bucks changed head coach Adrian Griffin in January after teaching 43 video games into the season, hiring Doc Rivers in his place. The concept was to assist flip this workforce into the contender folks anticipated when popping out of the offseason.
A Bucks workforce as soon as identified for his or her effort on protection behind Defensive Player of the Year candidate Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokumpo, a few one of the best defenders within the NBA.
Antetokumpo remains to be enjoying at an elite degree, averaging 30.7 factors, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per recreation. The query is, can Doc Rivers take this workforce to the following degree?
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