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Eastern Conference Standings Check: Orlando Magic are in the race

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Paolo Banchero is already establishing himself as one of the best young players in the league as the Orlando Magic climbed into the postseason chase. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Paolo Banchero is already establishing himself as one of the best young players in the league as the Orlando Magic climbed into the postseason chase. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, Caris LeVert, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Orlando Magic are still learning and growing and have to see every failure or struggle as a chance to grow and improve. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Christmas Day Eastern Conference Standings Check

Tier 2: Challengers Rising

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-12)

Season Series vs. Magic: Cavaliers 103, Magic 92 in Cleveland on Oct. 26; Cavaliers 107, Magic 96 in Cleveland on Dec. 2; April 4 in Orlando; April 6 in Orlando

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the teams in this group are not about to let the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks off the hook so easily. The Eastern Conference is proving to be pretty deep. And the teams in this group are plenty capable of winning.

Right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the quietest team of the bunch. They have just been consistently winning while sporting one of the best defenses in the league — first in the league in defensive rating by 1.5 points per 100 possessions over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Their mix of youth — Darius Garland and Evan Mobley — along with the injection of Donovan Mitchell’s star power (he should be the Eastern Conference starter at guard) has elevated this team into a real contender.

The only difference is the unknown for this Cavs team. We have not seen them in the playoffs. But it is impossible not to recognize that they are a threat now and moving forward.

Cleveland does not appear to be going anywhere and is the new contender in the bunch in the Eastern Conference.

4. Brooklyn Nets (21-12)

Season Series: Nets 109, Magic 102 in Brooklyn on Nov. 28; March 26 in Orlando; April 7 in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets’ first quarter of the season was about what they did not have. It just felt like the Nets put their foot in their own mouth — beyond just Kyrie Irving laying himself on the train tracks to get run over and fairly criticized for his off-court antics.

Nobody doubted the team’s talent though. Nobody has eve doubted this Nets team is a playoff team if everything is clicking. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are starting to hit that regular groove and the Nets are proving to be a difficult out.

Brooklyn is on an eight-game win streak as proof. That is how any team makes a major move up the standings. The Nets are making their move now and proving to be a difficult team to corral. Better, they are exactly the team we all thought they would be.

Who knows what the next calamity to befall the franchise mighht be. Knowing the Nets’ recent history, it is surely coming. And Brooklyn is not a team thaht could deal with a ton of adversity or upsetting the apple cart at the top of their roster.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (20-12)

Season Series vs. Magic: 76ers 107, Magic 99 in Orlando on Nov. 25; 76ers 133, Magic 103 in Orlando on Nov. 27; Jan. 30 in Philadelphia; Feb. 1 in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers have come a long way in the last month. Even with the injury to Tyrese Maxey.

Some of it is certainly health. While the 76ers are waiting for Maxey’s return, they got James Harden back. And he has played well and fit in with the roster as a whole. He has not taken over too much while still looking like the dominating player he was.

But the big difference has been Joel Embiid. He has taken over and played as the MVP he was for much of last season. In December, he is averaging 36.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. He has powered Philadelphia to an eight-game win streak.

And the Sixers look like a group that has figured a lot of things out with some major reinforcements on the way.