NBA: Race in the East hotting up as Milwaukee and Indiana flex muscles

Many NBA experts felt they had the East figured out this year. It was all about Boston, Cleveland and Orlando, with footnotes available for Miami, Atlanta and Washington.

Apparently, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto would then compete for the final couple of spots.

But if that was the script, nobody told Milwaukee or Indiana.

It is impossible to judge too much from the early months of the season but Brandon Jennings might just be about to shake things up in the Central Division. Tipped to be one of the worst teams in the East, Milwaukee have given an emphatic response thus far.

While LeBron James keeps the Cavs on course and Dwyane Wade fuels the Heat single-handedly at times, Jennings is running the show for the Bucks, who are emerging as surprise contenders for a playoff spot.

The rookie followed up a stellar, game-winning performance against the Denver Nuggets by dropping 55 points on the Golden State Warriors last week. Remarkably, Jennings went scoreless in the first quarter before finding his groove and setting up a 129-125 win.

And his 25 points on Monday almost saw the Dallas Mavericks added to his list of victims.

Meanwhile, in Indiana, the Pacers are putting a poor start behind them. Going 0-3 could have sent the team into freefall but instead Danny Granger and company are on a five-game winning streak and playing some great basketball.

Just ask the Celtics. Granger put up 29 points while new face Dahntay Jones added 25 in a 113-104 victory over Boston on Saturday that showed just how far this Pacers team can go. And they still have Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy to come back.

All of this leaves more questions than answers, particularly for fans of the Raptors, Pistons, Bulls and even 76ers. While the Celtics, Cavs and Magic are virtual certainties for the top three spots in the East - with the Hawks and Heat close behind - the last three playoffs berths are well and truly up for grabs.

It is a battle that will go right to the wire and the Bucks and Pacers have definitely thrown their names into contention.