What an NBA season it's been so far.

The Golden State Warriors look unbeatable, the Cleveland Cavaliers are struggling, and both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks are falling way short of expectations. But atop the Eastern Conference are the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks presently have the best record in the East at 31-8, and they've been red hot winning their last 10 consecutive games. During the Hawks' 10-game win streak, they defeated notable teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.

The Hawks and Wizards play in the same division, the Southeast, so each and every game is critical in determining a division champion.

Although the Hawks don't have an elite superstar player, they do have a very balanced squad. DeMarre Carroll, Kyle Korver, Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague are all averaging double digit scoring per game this season. Korver continues to prove he is one of the best perimeter shot makers in the NBA with his long distance shooting. Former first round pick point guard Jeff Teague is showing great signs of improvement, especially with ball distribution.

The biggest reason the Hawks are 31-8 this season is because of their defense. The Hawks have the No. 2 ranked defensive unit in the NBA (and No. 1 in the East), allowing just 96.7 points per game. Dominican center Al Horford is averaging 6.6 rebounds this season and has a team-leading 53 blocks so far.

The Hawks have made the postseason the last seven consecutive seasons, and this could be their best chance at making it back to the NBA Finals since 1961, when they played in St. Louis.

Right behind the Hawks are the Washington Wizards. The NBA team in the nation's capital is 27-12, with point guard John Wall leading the way. Wall has been outstanding this season averaging 10.2 assists and 17.4 points per game. It's safe to the Wizards made the right choice making the Wall the No. 1 pick in 2010.

Brazilian power forward Nene is providing extremely valuable minutes for the Wizards this season. Nene is averaging more than 10 points per game, playing great defense, and he's making more than 60 percent of his free throws. Nene and Horford have had their interior battles (shown above) this season in the paint.

Similar to the Hawks, the Wizards are winning with defense. The Wizards have the fifth ranked defense in the league, and Marcin Gortat has been a monster on the boards this season. One of the biggest surprises has been veteran Paul Pierce. Pierce may be 37 years old, but the former NBA Finals MVP is shooting 46 percent from the field this season and making nearly 80 percent of his free throws. Pierce recently said the Brooklyn Nets "didn't want to win a championship," but he'll have a chance to win another one in Washington, D.C.

The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls each have 26 victories sitting right behind the Wizards and Hawks in the NBA standings.

The Hawks have won both games against the Wizards this season, and they will play each other two more times.

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