With the NBA All-Star break finally closing in, we now look forward to the final two months of the NBA regular season.
There are several different storylines to watch in the Eastern Conference as the league will shift gears heading into the final stretch of the season.
NBA Teams to Watch in the East: Cavaliers Ride on Donovan Mitchell and Defense
The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17) have found much success lately.
The Cavaliers, who were once at 18-15 and struggling to find the magic that made them so successful last season, are now one of the best teams in the league and are looking to lock up home-court advantage for most of the NBA playoffs.
The Cavs are fresh off a close win against the Chicago Bulls and are currently one of the hottest teams in the league. They have reeled off 10 victories in their last 11 games and have now jumped to the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell is continuing to have a stellar season averaging 28.3 points per game, which is fourth in the league in scoring and matches the career-best he set last season; earning him the Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
Mitchell has also built a legitimate MVP case this season based on his play so far. Not only continuing to be a lethal scorer, Mitchell has also improved his playmaking. He is currently leading his team in assists at 6.3 a game and has stepped up defensively in areas that he has struggled in throughout his career.
Along with Mitchell, Jarrett Allen continues to be one of the best interior forces in the NBA. Allen is averaging 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a night, helping lead the Cavaliers as a top-five defense in the league.
It would be interesting to see if the Cavaliers' success in the playoffs impacts Donovan Mitchell's pending contract negotiations this offseason. Can they take another jump and establish themselves as an Eastern Conference Elite when it matters the most?
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NBA Teams to Watch in the East: Can the Heat Go on a Run?
Say what you want about the Miami Heat, they always find a way.
The Heat, who have just reeled off two big wins against the 76ers and the Bucks, aren't known much for their regular season success. However, in the face of adversity, they always find a way to turn it on in the postseason. As a result, the Heat usually find themselves playing in big games late in June.
The Heat are currently 30-25, which is good for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Based on their track record, it's easy to believe they can make another deep postseason run.
Shooting Guard Jimmy Butler, despite missing 17 games this season, and center Bam Adebayo have continued to have stellar seasons.
Tyler Herro has remained an efficient scorer for the Heat, and rookie sensation Jaime Jaquez Jr. has looked electric this season.
This season has been full of ups and downs for the reigning Eastern Conference champs. They have yet to find the mojo that took them to the finals last season.
Can the Heat raise their play in time for the postseason to make another improbable run?
NBA Teams to Watch in the East: Will Doc Rivers Put the Bucks Over the Top?
Undoubtedly, the Milwaukee Bucks (35-20 ) are having a stellar season behind the play of stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokumpo.
There's no doubt the team looks primed for another championship. However, it may be harder this time around based on the team's defensive issues.
Head coach Doc Rivers says the team needs to find its identity on the defensive side of the floor.
"Right now, what our team is, we get our personality from the offensive end. And we don't want that. We want to get our personality from the defense, playing hard and doing defensive things. Tonight, you could just see it," Rivers said.
The Bucks replaced head coach Adrian Griffin in January after coaching 43 games into the season, hiring Doc Rivers in his place. The idea was to help turn this team into the contender people expected when coming out of the offseason.
A Bucks team once known for their effort on defense behind Defensive Player of the Year candidate Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokumpo, a couple of the best defenders in the NBA.
Antetokumpo is still playing at an elite level, averaging 30.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The question is, can Doc Rivers take this team to the next level?
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