NBA 2018-19 Power Rankings: Week 1 (Eastern Conference Edition)

The NBA is back and the first week has been nothing short of excellent with some really good encounters. The LeBron-less Eastern Conference is up for grabs and the teams know that and are fighting every single night.

Thanks to some trades and signings in the off-season, a lot of good players now play for new teams and we are still getting used to seeing them in the new threads. In the first week, we have seen some closely-fought games which include Bucks' one-point win against the Hornets, and Celtics' two-point win against New York, just to name a few.

Let us look at the power ranking for week one in this Eastern Conference Edition.

#3 Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks are going to be a problem this season for teams in the East

The Bucks had a really successful 2017-18 season and lost in the First Round of the playoffs against a really good Celtics team in seven games. The Bucks suffered a major setback when Jabari Parker decided to go to Chicago to play for the Bulls in the off-season but the front-office did a commendable job and added the likes of Ersan Ilyasova, Brook Lopez.

Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up where he left off and dominated the rivals in the first week. He is averaging 28.5 points, 16.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists and is definitely making a case for MVP early in the season.

As a matter of fact, Giannis is not the only player showing up for Bucks. Khris Middleton is averaging 24 points, including a 30-point game against the Knicks. Do not forget the 2017 Rookie of the Year winner Malcolm Brogdon who is playing the guard to perfection. Brook Lopez is providing the much-needed fire-power in the paint and things are looking just fine for the Bucks at the moment as they are yet to taste their first defeat.

#2 Boston Celtics

Celtics looked a little rusty but did not disappoint

The Boston Celtics got off to a great start with an easy win over the Philadelphia 76ers in their season opener. They lost against the Toronto Raptors before eking out a win against the New York Knicks.

Gordon Hayward is back and is still yet to unleash fully. He played in 3 games and is averaging 11.7 points. Just like everyone expected, Tatum picked up where he left off and is already one of the mainstays on this roster, just in his second season.

He posted a double-double in the road game against Knicks with 24 points and 14 rebounds and his numbers are only getting better, day-by-day. Celtics Guard Kyrie Irving looked rusty in the first week and shot just 39.1 percent from the field.

The Celtics are off to 2-2 start and even dropped a game against the Orlando Magic at home. Although the Celtics looked rusty in the first week, things are expected to only get better as the season progresses.

#1 Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors are off to a blistering start

After losing DeMar DeRozan in the off-season, in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors are off to a blistering start and did not drop a single game in the first week and sit firmly at the top of the table. The Raptors are 5-0 to start the season and did not break a sweat and dismantled the oppositions. This includes a huge win against the Eastern Conference favourites, Boston Celtics.

They started the season by defeating the LeBron-less Cavaliers in an emphatic fashion before beating the Celtics without much difficulty. The All-Star Small forward Kawhi Leonard has been lights out in the opening week and is averaging 28 points, 7.8 rebounds in four games. He was rested for the game against the Wizards as it was Toronto's second night of a back-to-back.

The All-Star Point guard, Kyle Lowry looks great as always and is dishing out dimes like it's nothing. He is averaging 19.8 points and 10.0 assists and is filling the stat sheet. With All-Star starters and a really solid bench, Raptors are definitely going to raise few eyebrows this season and the fans should be excited about the future.