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Atlanta Hawks: Eastern Conference Power Rankings, Jan. 21

By John Buhler

Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) has his shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) has his shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers. 15. team. 93. .

It happened. The lowly Philadelphia 76ers finally won a game against an Eastern Conference opponent, topping the Orlando Magic 96-87 at the Amway Center Wednesday night. Adding point guard Ish Smith has been a huge difference maker for this young Philadelphia offense. This team is going to win more than 10 games this season for sure.

Philadelphia has won three of its last 10 games, a drastic improvement over their .136 season winning percentage. They are playing their best basketball of the season. The only thing keeping them in the cellar this week is their win discrepancy when compared to Brooklyn. Don’t feel shocked if the Sixers surpass the Nets in the coming months in these Eastern Conference Power Rankings.

147. . . Previous: . Brooklyn Nets. 14. team

At roughly the halfway point of the 2015-16 NBA season, there isn’t a team in the Eastern Conference playing worse basketball than the Brooklyn Nets. At 11-32, the Nets are in the super awkward position of not being able to realistically to make the playoffs or control their sure-fired lottery pick which belongs to the Boston Celtics.

The Nets have lost four straight and are projecting down in these power rankings. Philadelphia is ascending and may end up passing the Brooklyn Nets this season if Ish Smith continues to stand as the answer for the 76ers at point guard. Brooklyn is in the worst position of any team in the NBA this season.

. . Previous: . Milwaukee Bucks. 13. team. 89

We’ve seen flashes of brilliance with this young Milwaukee Bucks team. They’ve beaten the Golden State Warriors and handed the Atlanta Hawks a disheartening 108-101 overtime defeat on Friday. Small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is starting to look more and more like a franchise player with every possession.

Milwaukee won’t make the playoffs, but there is definitely something exciting with this young team. For now, they are the worst team in the best division in the NBA in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. It’s hard being a mediocre team in a division that can and will likely send four teams to the NBA Playoffs this season. At times, Milwaukee is still a fun team to watch play basketball.

Next: Tier IV: Not Making the Playoffs

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