One squad that wasn’t expected to make much noise this season was Atlanta, but the Hawks are playing some great basketball, winning nine of their last 10 games and improving their record to an Eastern Conference best 25-8.
With five players averaging double figures in points and Al Horford returning to full strength after a serious injury last season, it appears the Hawks are just beginning to find their wings and could make it tough on the others in the east before the year is finished.
Golden State has had the best record in the league all season and despite claims from experts that Portland or Houston have caught the Warriors, this team continues to just win games. At 26-5, this squad has the best record at home and on the road this season and with the best back court in the league, injuries are the only thing that could throw a road block into their year.
There’s little doubt the Western Conference is best in the game and with 10 teams at .500 or better, it appears the race for the top-8 spots will go down to the wire. Oklahoma City is the team to watch over the next few months, especially with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back from injuries, but with such a poor start, it would take some unbelievable play for the Thunder to get a home court series in the playoffs.
Another team on the move upwards is Detroit as the Pistons have won five straight games and playing much better basketball since the release of Josh Smith. Just four games behind Miami, this team is not one of the elite in the league, but one that could make a run and cause some trouble down the stretch of the regular season.
