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2012 NBA standings: Celtics 4th in crowded Atlantic Division

The Boston Celtics are just a bit above .500, having dropped both of their games to the Brooklyn Nets, who are tied with the New York Knicks atop the Atlantic Division.

By Rodger Sherman
Jared Wickerham

The Boston Celtics are only a game above .500 in the early going, with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks sitting atop the Atlantic Division, although Celtics fans likely aren't worried.

Boston has lost both of their head-to-head matchups with the Nets thus far, falling late in the first game in Brooklyn but falling into a 20-point hole in the first half Wednesday night before a fight saw Rajon Rondo ejected. That doesn't exactly bode well, as the Nets are making a statement that they belong on top of the division, alongside the Knicks, who started the year 6-0. Even the Andrew Bynum-less Philadelphia 76ers are ahead of the Celtics in the season's first few weeks.

However, the C's were below .500 as late as February 28 last year in a lockout-shortened season, but ended up getting the No. 4 seed in the playoffs after ending the year on a 22-12 tear, eventually getting to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, so a shaky early start isn't worrisome with nearly 70 games remaining.

Here's the full Eastern Conference standings after Wednesday night's games:

Eastern Standings

GP W-L PCT
Miami Heat 13 10-3 .769
Brooklyn Nets 13 9-4 .692
New York Knicks 13 9-4 .692
Milwaukee Bucks 12 7-5 .583
Atlanta Hawks 12 8-4 .667
Philadelphia 76ers 15 9-6 .600
Boston Celtics 14 8-6 .571
Charlotte Bobcats 13 7-6 .538
Indiana Pacers 15 7-8 .467
Chicago Bulls 13 6-7 .462
Orlando Magic 13 5-8 .385
Detroit Pistons 15 4-11 .267
Cleveland Cavaliers 15 3-12 .200
Toronto Raptors 15 3-12 .200
Washington Wizards 12 0-12 .000