Eastern Conference Standings Check: Orlando Magic trying to stay in striking distance
Thanksgiving Eastern Conference standings check
Tier 3: Surprise Surprise
5. Indiana Pacers (10-7)
Season Series vs. Magic: Pacers 114, Magic 113 in Indianapolis on Nov. 19; Pacers 123, Magic 102 in Indianapolis on Nov. 21; Jan. 25 in Orlando; Feb. 25 in Orlando
If the Orlando Magic were hoping for a surprising season, this is likely where they would have ended up. Whether the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards or New York Knicks are able to keep their pace is definitely a question. It is early in the season, but these teams have started at a blistering pace.
The Pacers are perhaps the most surprising. But maybe we should not be surprised. Tyrese Haliburton is a really solid young player that can be the engine to drive a young team forward. They have veteran players in Myles Turner and Budy Hield. And while there was some though that they would be traded in the offseason, they never were and they are both strong contributors for any team they play for. And Rick Carlisle is a great veteran and championship coach that knows how to get a lot out of a team.
Everything has clicked well. Haliburton has elevated his play to an All-Star level and has fit in perfectly to make the whole thing work. They have established a distinctive style that is fast-paced and favors a ton of 3-pointers. That has proven difficult for teams to figure out.
At this point, all that should add up to the Pacers being taken seriously as a postseason team. They are not going to finish where everyone thought at the beginning of the season.
Like the Cleveland Cavaliers, this is a team the Magic should watch carefully for how they build this kind of success. It is truly about finding an identity. And that is what the Magic have not yet found in themselves.
6. Washington Wizards (10-8)
Season Series vs. Magic: Dec. 30 in Orlando; Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.; March 21 in Orlando; March 31 in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Wizards always had the talent and potential to be a playoff team again. Their problems in recent years have simply been health. Bradley Beal has not played more than 60 games since 2019.
It is clear how good he can be. And he is averaging 22.7 points per game and shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc to start the season.
The difference for the Wizards to this point in the year has been Kyle Kuzma though. Kuzma has been excellent averaging 19.8 points per game. That has given the Wizards a big boost. This is a veteran team that should hang around the playoff picture so long as they stay healthy — never a guarantee with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in their careers.
7. New York Knicks (9-9)
Season Series vs. Magic: Knicks 115, Magic 102 in New York City on Oct. 24; Feb. 7 in Orlando; March 23 in Orlando
One thing you can always count on with Tom Thibodeau is that his teams will defend well. But that is not the case. In fact, it is a bit baffling that the Knicks are at .500. With a -2.4 net rating including the 23rd-ranked defense, the Knicks are not the picture of a team that should be hovering around .500.
It does seem like there is a fall coming. Especially with rumors that the team is exploring trades for Immanuel Quickly and Evan Fournier has found his way out of the rotation. That should open the door to the possibility of a few trades to try to save this season. But that is still a bit far off.
New York has some solid players in Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett. But the Knicks still do not seem like anything to write home about.
They are a surprise but the likeliest team to lose their playoff spot at this point among the top teams.