Playoffs Outlook - Eastern Conference

Current Standings

1) Indiana Pacers (45-21) - Following a season without a playoff appearance, Indiana currently has the 2nd best record in the league, and the best in the conference. Led by superstar Jermaine O'Neal(2nd leading scorer), the Pacers are burning teams with their high efficiency offense. Redd and Artest round out a terrific trio. Can they be stopped?

2) New Jersey Nets (43-21) - Here is another team that had a poor previous season. They turned things around, though, that's for sure. Rookie SG phenom Garrett Pettit is amazing, and will only get better. Okafor and Dalembert head a spectacular frontline that is averaging a league-leading 9 BPG. The NJ team will show off their true power come playoff-time.

3) Miami Heat (41-22) - The former champions are having another great year. Shaq is playing like the dominant player he is, averaging 26 and 12. Trading away Shawn Marion was a questionable move, but the team is still one of the elite. Can they repeat?

4) Detroit Pistons (40-26) - This team wouldn't be where it is now without the incredible play of rookie center Oscar Ferry. He does have a solid supporting cast, however. Nash's ball handling is impeccable, and the recent acquisition of Stromile Swift was a great one. The Pistons have the capability to make some noise in the playoffs.

5) Toronto Raptors (40-29) - The Raptors have made some trades, to say the least. Players have come, players have gone. After all was said and done, the Raptors now have one hell of a team(not that they didn't have one before). Baron Davis may be the best PG in the league, and he has plenty of options to pass the ball to in Toronto. How well Carlos Boozer plays is what will ultimately determine how far the Raptors can go in the post-season.

6) New Orleans Hornets (39-29) - The Hornets made a handful of trades at the deadline. Baron Davis was traded for some quality depth, and star SF Shawn Marion was a terrific pick-up. These moves could prove to have paid off if the Hornets go far in the playoffs.

7) Washington Wizards (38-30) - Having won 9 of the last 10, Washington is the hottest team in the league. Amare Stoudemire is simply superb, with his 26 PPG ranking 4th in the league. He and Gilbert Arenas make a deadly inside-outisde combination that will be extremely hard to stop, if they can hold on to their playoff spot.

8) Cleveland Cavs (39-33) - The Cavs are desperately hanging on the the 8th and final playoff spot. Andre Miller was just the PG that the team needed. His defense and passing has helped them turn it around after a very poor start. LeBron James has been solid all season-long, but he is going to have to really step it up. Cleveland is in need of an overall great effort in order to make the post-season and do well there.

In the Chase
9) Orlando Magic (34-35, 3.5 games behind 8th)
10) Philadelphia 76ers (32-34, 4 games behind 8th)
11) Chicago Bulls (33-40, 6.5 games behind 8th)

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