NBA Eastern Conference Standings Dec. 13: Knicks’ four-game win streak propels team to No. 6

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Miles McBride #2 and Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks celebrate after defeating the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2022 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: Miles McBride #2 and Quentin Grimes #6 of the New York Knicks celebrate after defeating the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2022 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks are in the midst of a four-game win streak that has propelled the team to No. 6 in the East with a 14-13 record. The streak includes wins over the Cavaliers, Hawks, Hornets, and Kings.

New York has two days off to prepare for two games in Chicago against the Bulls on Wednesday and Friday. Depending on Jalen Brunson’s status after spraining his ankle against Sacramento, the Knicks could add to their win total this week.

Following the two games at United Center, New York will travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers, who started the season off hot but have since fallen off a bit.

What are the current 2022-23 NBA Eastern Conference standings?

What does the Knicks’ standing in the Eastern Conference mean?

If the season ended today, New York wouldn’t have to worry about trying to advance past the play-in tournament to the playoffs. Instead, the Knicks would ironically enough be preparing to go up against Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers in the playoffs. That’d be quite the first round.

Last week, New York sat at No. 10 in the conference. If the Knicks can secure wins over the Bulls and Pacers this week, the team will continue to rise in the standings.

New York has a 9-6 record against Eastern Conference opponents this season. The latest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook have the Knicks at +11000 to win the conference.

Where do the Knicks sit in the 2022-23 NBA Atlantic Division?

In previous weeks, New York sat at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, but that’s since changed. The Knicks are fourth in the division above the Raptors, who are coming off embarrassing back-to-back losses to the Magic. Toronto still sits in play-in range at No. 9 so if the season ended today, each team in the Atlantic Division would either be competing in the play-in tournament or the playoffs.

New York has a 1-2 record against Atlantic Division opponents. The next division opponent that the Knicks will face is the Raptors, who will travel to MSG on Dec. 21.

The latest odds at FanDuel Sportsbook has New York at +18000 to win the Atlantic Division.

What are the Knicks’ chances of making the playoffs?

According to FiveThirtyEight, New York has a 56% chance of making the playoffs and a 0.5% chance of winning the NBA Finals.

Last week, the Knicks had a 32% chance of making the playoffs and a 0.2% chance of winning the NBA Finals.

Knicks’ next three Eastern Conference opponents

Dec. 14 at Chicago

Dec. 16 at Chicago

Dec. 18 at Indiana