2012 NBA standings: 76ers near bottom of the Atlantic Division

The Philadelphia 76ers currently sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division and trail the New York Knicks by 2.5 games for the division lead.

To this point in the season, the 76ers have developed a tendency to go on streaks. After defeating the Denver Nuggets in the season opener, the team dropped its next two games against the Knicks and then won three consecutive games on the road. Following the impressive road swing, Philadelphia followed it up with two consecutive home losses, the most recent of which came at the hands of the cellar-dwelling Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. It was Detroit's first victory of the season.

While the Sixers have struggled to find consistency, the Knicks have been firing on all cylinders. Currently sitting at 5-0, the team holds control of first place in the division as well as the Eastern Conference. The newly re-branded Brooklyn Nets are in second in the Atlantic and trail New York for the division lead by 1.5 games. The Boston Celtics also sit 1.5 games back of the Knicks and have won three consecutive games since falling to the Sixers last Friday.

Here are the complete Atlantic Division standings:

1. New York Knicks, 5-0
2. Brooklyn Nets, 4-2 (1.5 GB)
3. Boston Celtics, 5-3 (1.5 GB)
4. Philadelphia 76ers, 4-4 (2.5 GB)
5. Toronto Raptors, 2-6 (4.5 GB)