The Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks respectively occupy the top three spots in the Eastern Conference. Each playing in their own way, the three teams are emerging as the candidates to win the East. After the halfway point of the season, they have proven to be a couple of steps above their rivals.
Meanwhile, Bucks is third with a 27-14 record. The fourth classified in the East, the Atlanta Hawks, are 7 games behind the Bucks. An abysmal difference reflected in the classification and on the field.
It looked like the sky over Philadelphia was going to cloud over when Embiid fell badly on his left knee on March 13. Luckily, the favorite to win this year’s MVP suffered no structural damage and will only be out for three weeks in what has been a simple sprain.
Since Embiid’s injury, Philly has played 5 games, in which he has won four and lost only one, against the Bucks. Doc Rivers’ team has shown that without Joel Embiid they are also capable of competing with the best.
The NBA players like Tobias Harris, Seth Curry or Shake Milton have stepped forward to supply the 30 points that the Cameroonian center averaged per night. With Embiid fit, the Sixers are called to compete the East to Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers are the best team in the league and now they really show it on the court. After a hesitant start to the season, in which they did not defend much and lost balls everywhere, they have finally managed to channel the situation.
The Nets are going through a very sweet time this season. Of the last 14 games, they have only lost one. And all with the loss of Kevin Durant , who will miss at least two more weeks.
