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Milwaukee Bucks: How they stack up in Eastern Conference after trade deadline

By Kenny Jilek

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 41-14. They have been the best team in the entire NBA up to this point in the season, but now, after a very active trade deadline from other contenders, that top spot could be in question.

There are only six teams in the Eastern Conference that currently have a winning record. One of these is the Brooklyn Nets at 29-28, and while their efforts to pull their broken franchise up from the ashes of the Danny Ainge wizardry they were subject to six years ago, they are not a contender this year.

The other five teams in the East with winning records: Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics all have a chance to make a trip to the finals this season.

Now I know you’re thinking that the Pacers are dead and gone after the devastating injury to star guard Victor Oladipo. Well not so fast. After losing their first four games without Oladipo, they have surged back and quietly went on a six-game winning streak before being defeated by the Bucks, only allowing over 100 points once in that streak to earn themselves the third spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The Boston Celtics stood pat at the deadline, and this could be seen as a disadvantage from other teams, but they have been looking for chemistry all season and trying to decide how to maximize each of their talented assets. Make no mistake, they were a game away from the finals last year and are still very much in the hunt.

The Raptors and 76ers made big moves at the deadline, both giving up young players and depth to snag big stars. The Raptors acquired three-time All-Star Marc Gasol and the 76ers got Tobias Harris.

Let’s assess each of these teams current outlooks and whether the Bucks trade for Nikola Mirotic will be enough to keep these teams at bay after the All-Star break starting from the bottom with the fifth-seed Philadelphia 76ers.

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