Because the basketball world turns its eyes towards the NCAA Match and the highest prospects headed to the groups on the backside of this rankings, the NBA retains on rolling (however dials again the variety of marquee matchups for every week or two).
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1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (53-12, Final Week No. 2). Oklahoma Metropolis has performed in simply 21 clutch video games this season (inside 5 factors within the last 5 minutes), the fewest within the league. Whereas that’s an indication of simply how good this group has been — they’re blowing groups out — within the playoffs the Thunder might want to win shut video games. Will that lack of expertise within the second come again to chew them? On the constructive aspect, they beat the Celtics in a clutch sport final week. Nonetheless, they’re 7-6 in actually tight video games (inside three factors within the last three minutes) and are 0-4 in one-possession video games this season.
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2. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-12, LW 1). Cleveland has dropped two straight and it is given coach Kenny Atkinson one thing to focus on as he readies his roster for what’s going to come when the playoffs tip-off subsequent month: “That form of defensive efficiency, you’re not surviving in a playoff environment, he stated after Tuesday’s loss to the Clippers. That sport was the primary of a five-game street journey.
3. Boston Celtics (50-19, LW 3). Final Wednesday’s loss to Oklahoma Metropolis sparks the query: May the Thunder beat the Celtics in the event that they meet within the Finals? Sure, the Thunder might, it is a tough matchup for Boston. This wasn’t a one-time factor, the Thunder swept the season sequence. OKC is among the few groups with the dimensions, versatility, and — because it confirmed final week — physicality to match or exceed Boston. Certain, the Celtics had been with out Kristaps Porzingis, however the Thunder had been with out Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso. This is able to be a unbelievable Finals.
SECOND TIER CONTENDERS
4. Denver Nuggets (44-25, LW 5). When the Lakers beat the Nuggets again on Feb. 22, they held Nikola Jokic to 12 factors on 2-of-7 taking pictures, main some to surprise if the Lakers had figured one thing out with their fronting of the three-time MVP with smaller gamers and aggressive double-teams. Apparently not. Within the 11 video games he has performed since then, Jokic is averaging 27.7 factors a sport on 57.9% taking pictures, with 13.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists an evening. He stays within the thick of the MVP race and exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
5. Golden State Warriors (40-29, LW 4). Steve Kerr is making an attempt to stroll a tightrope. The Warriors want wins as only one sport separates 6/7/8 within the West (with a red-hot Minnesota group pushing Golden State for sixth), however Stephen Curry appears somewhat worn down. “He is drained. Steph’s been carrying us for a month…” Kerr stated after the Warriors’ sloppy loss to a shorthanded Denver group Monday. “You possibly can see it – he does not have his power proper now.” Mark your calendars now — Jimmy Butler returns to Miami subsequent Tuesday (March 25).
PLAYOFFS OR BUST
6. Houston Rockets (44-25, LW 12). Houston has gained seven in a row, and you may say they did it in opposition to a mushy stretch of the schedule however it’s a must to beat the group in entrance of you — and another prime groups could not try this this week. Ime Udoka is not going to let up on his guys. Houston has a neater schedule than the three groups chasing them for the No. 2 seed (Nuggets, Lakers, Grizzlies) and it simply bought flooring basic Fred VanVleet 4 video games in the past and he’s essential to them. Enormous sport Sunday in opposition to the Nuggets.
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7. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-30, LW 13). Minnesota’s first-round matchup will likely be robust — there are not any straightforward outs within the West — however the Timberwolves must be hoping for an additional sequence in opposition to the Nuggets. Even with out Karl-Anthony Cities, Minnesota’s win final week over the Nuggets exhibits they nonetheless appear to have Denver’s quantity, going 3-0 in opposition to them this season (with another assembly to return).
8. New York Knicks (43-24, LW 7). Jalen Brunson goes to be out a pair extra weeks, however so long as the Knicks proceed to tread water — they’re 3-2 since he went down with a sprained ankle — they are going to be high quality as they’re locked into the No. 3 seed. Brunson must return and play 4 extra video games to succeed in 65 and qualify for postseason honors (he’s a lock for All-NBA). Whereas the Knicks miss Brunson within the clutch, Mikal Bridges did a reasonably good impression of him final week.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (42-25, LW 6). The largest beneficiary of the Luka Doncic commerce is likely to be Austin Reaves. Because the All-Star break, with Doncic drawing the eye of defenses, Reaves is averaging 21.2 factors a sport taking pictures 38.3% from 3, with 5.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds a sport. “I imply, this man simply scored 30 in his 4th sport in 5 days…” Doncic stated this week. “He is a tremendous participant. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable. It isn’t straightforward to go undrafted and play at this degree.”
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10. Memphis Grizzlies (43-26, LW 8). The Grizzlies went 3-1 with Jaren Jackson Jr. out — their main scorer and finest defender — a testomony to Memphis’ depth. The large playoff query for the Grizzlies: Nearly as good as Jalen Wells and Zach Edey have been (they possible are voted two of the highest three in Rookie of the 12 months), can a group leaning that closely on its rookies make a deep playoff run?
11. Los Angeles Clippers (39-30, LW 14). The Clippers have gained 5-of-6 as a result of they all of a sudden discovered their offense. The Clippers have been center of the pack on that finish of the ground all season lengthy — it was a top-five protection that carried the group — however over the past six video games the Clippers have one of the best offense within the NBA. The most recent win came visiting the Cavaliers — when Kawhi Leonard is enjoying like this the Clippers are a really robust out within the West (and they’re only a sport again of the Warriors for the No. 6 seed).
12. Detroit Pistons (38-31, LW 9). In what has been a tremendous season, the Pistons are usually not going to fall out of the highest six within the East, however they need to set their sights larger — Detroit is one sport again of Indiana for the No. 4 seed. The Pistons have a more durable remaining schedule than the Pacers or Bucks (the groups they would want to leap to get to fourth), which is why they can not afford ugly losses like final Thursday to the Wizards. That lesson ought to resonate this week with video games in opposition to struggling groups within the Warmth, Mavericks, Pelicans and Spurs.
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13. Milwaukee Bucks (38-30, LW 11). Milwaukee is an efficient group and its win in opposition to Indiana final week retains it within the operating for a top-four seed and internet hosting a first-round playoff sequence. Nonetheless, the loss to the Thunder final weekend was a reminder that the Bucks at the moment are 0-11 in opposition to the groups with the 4 finest data within the league, and the final 5 of these had been by double-digits. This Bucks group will not be hanging concern within the hearts of prime opponents.
14. Indiana Pacers (38-29, LW 10). If anybody wanted extra proof of Tyrese Haliburton’s worth to this group, the Pacers going 0-3 in opposition to the Hawks (twice) and the Bulls with out him ought to reply that query. Two weeks in a row we now have a leaning corner-three game-winner for the Pacers, however this time it was extra gorgeous as a result of who noticed Obi Toppin draining it?
15. Sacramento Kings (34-33, LW 15). Domantas Sabonis’ sprained ankle conserving him out a few weeks is horrible information on a number of fronts. First, the Kings are 3-6 in video games he is missed this season and have a -3.8 internet ranking within the minutes he’s off the court docket — this group goes to need to combat to carry on to the No. 9 seed and not less than host one play-in sport. Second, with Sabonis having performed simply 58 video games this season, it is unlikely he’ll make it to the 65-game cutoff for postseason awards, ending his professional probability at an All-NBA spot.
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16. Atlanta Hawks (33-36, LW 16). Can we simply cease for a second and marvel at Dyson Daniels’ 194 steals on the season, a quantity that’s the most within the NBA in additional than a decade. It is a formidable feat and he’ll get some Defensive Participant of the 12 months down-ballot votes this season, ones nicely deserved. Atlanta wants to start out stacking some wins to carry off Orlando for the No. 7 seed within the East (and attending to host the primary spherical of the play-in), however that will likely be robust to do in opposition to the Warriors and Rockets this week (a loss to Philly can be ugly).
17. Orlando Magic (32-37, LW 18). Orlando’s win snapping Cleveland’s 16-game win streak final Sunday is a reminder why the Cavaliers wish to keep away from the Magic within the first spherical (as of immediately, that might be the 1 vs. 8 matchup, pending the play-in). Orlando’s protection made Donovan Mitchell inefficient (9-of-28 taking pictures), and nearly as good as Cleveland’s protection will be, it struggles to sluggish Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. That sequence went seven video games a season in the past and it appears like a rematch can be one other lengthy sequence.
PLAY IN HOPEFULS
18. Phoenix Suns (32-37, LW 19). There are numerous issues about this season’s Suns I don’t perceive, however that is close to the highest of the checklist: Why have Kevin Durant work off the ball a lot? Particularly early in video games, the place the Suns have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as the first shot creators, with KD because the late-clock bail-out possibility? We are able to solely query it a lot, the Suns have a top-10 offense within the league and Durant is averaging 26.7 factors a sport, however the match simply by no means appears easy with this trio. Beal is out for every week, not less than, with a hamstring pressure. The Suns want wins, one sport behind Dallas with 13 video games left, and issues get robust with video games in opposition to the Cavaliers, Bucks and Celtics beginning Friday.
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19. Chicago Bulls (29-39, LW 21). Chicago has gained 5-of-6 due to the group having the fourth-best protection within the NBA over that stretch. That win streak plus the free-fall in Miami has the groups tied for the 9/10 seeds within the East — Chicago appears like it’ll host a play-in sport the way in which issues are trending.
20. Portland Path Blazers (30-39, LW 22). The spark of optimism popping out of Portland primarily based on the play of Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Scoot Henderson, and even the steps Donovan Clingan is taking has been unbelievable — however Portland can be higher off dropping a number of video games. They beat Toronto and Washington this week and at present would enter the lottery with the No. 11 choose, however they’re only one sport “behind” Chicago, Miami and San Antonio. Rack up a number of additional losses within the coming weeks and the Path Blazers might actually assist their lottery odds.
21. Miami Warmth (29-39, LW 17). Jimmy Butler returns subsequent Tuesday (March 25), and for the Warmth the timing could not be a lot worse. How ugly is Miami’s eight-game shedding streak — a streak the place Bam Adebayo performed in each sport and Tyler Herro in seven of the eight? That is the longest Warmth shedding streak of Erik Spoelstra’s 17-yr profession. The issue is on the offensive finish, the place the Warmth are useless final within the league since that streak began. They miss Butler’s shot creation. Miami has some arduous inquiries to reply this summer time, and Pat Riley is much from innocent for this mess (he is not altering Warmth Tradition, however he could have to step again and re-examine how that’s enjoying within the fashionable NBA).
22. Dallas Mavericks (33-36, LW 20). It is simple to get the place P.J. Washington is coming from as a participant, saying, “All that ‘Hearth Nico’ stuff, we’re sick and uninterested in listening to it. We simply wish to go on the market and play and we want the followers to assist us irrespective of who’s on the ground.” I feel the followers assist the gamers on the court docket, but it surely’s straightforward to empathize with the Mavericks followers who really feel they’d the rug pulled out from beneath them with the Doncic commerce. They don’t seem to be over it, nor ought to they be.
CAPTURE THE (COOPER) FLAGG
23. Toronto Raptors (24-45, LW 23). Toronto has the best remaining schedule within the NBA, which might imply a number of extra wins, but it surely should not harm their lottery positioning. As of immediately, the Raptors would enter the NBA Draft Lottery because the No. 7 seed, however they’ve a five-game cushion to the No. 8 Spurs. No cause to relaxation Scottie Barnes and firm an excessive amount of over the remaining 13 video games.
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24. San Antonio Spurs (28-39, LW 26). That is what Victor Wembanyama’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidacy was primarily based on: With out him, the Spurs have the worst protection within the league because the All-Star break. It is nonetheless value tuning in to Spurs video games to look at Stephon Fortress make his push for Rookie of the 12 months, he is averaging 20.6 factors and 4.1 assists a sport over his final 10.
25. Brooklyn Nets (23-46, LW 27). Cam Thomas, the Nets main scorer at 24 factors a sport when wholesome (he has performed in simply 25 video games this season) is out for the remainder of the season with a strained left hamstring. The large query: Will the restricted free agent this summer time be again in Brooklyn subsequent season? He says he needs to be, however he additionally needs to receives a commission. The cash will speak.
26. Philadelphia 76ers (23-45, LW 24). Quentin Grimes is bringing the offense the 76ers thought Joel Embiid and Paul George — now each formally out for the season — would convey from Day 1. Since March began, Grimes is averaging 28.6 factors a sport, taking pictures 41.3% from 3, and has two 40+ level video games and three extra 30+ level video games. He has been a drive. Which suggests don’t be stunned if Nick Nurse is pressured to take a seat him somewhat, Philly isn’t seeking to win numerous video games because it tries to carry on to its top-six protected choose.
27. Charlotte Hornets (17-51, LW 28). The Hornets and Pelicans are in a “race” to see which group finally ends up with the third worst file within the NBA, and with {that a} 14% probability on the No. 1 choose (Cooper Flagg, if you wish to know why, tune in to the NCAA Match this weekend). The Hornets have the third-worst file proper now, simply half a sport worse than New Orleans, however video games just like the win final week over the Spurs make holding that spot troublesome. Miami and Toronto (two struggling groups) are on the docket this week.
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28. Washington Wizards (15-52, LW 29). Washington was so dangerous early within the season that issues like stunning wins final week over Detroit and Denver do not harm its lottery odds — the Wizards can play to win, it won’t matter within the standings. Nicely, it does somewhat, Wednesday evening we get a tank-off sport in opposition to the Jazz with two groups concentrating on the worst file within the league. We’ll see what rotation the Wizards roll out for that sport.
29. New Orleans Pelicans (18-51, LW 25). Whereas an important growth within the final month with the Pelicans is the spectacular play of Zion Williamson — he is constructed up his worth, whether or not that is to commerce him or preserve him is the query — it additionally issues that the Pelicans have discovered long-term depth in gamers equivalent to s GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Vince Williams Jr. New Orleans is poised for a large leap subsequent season.
30. Utah Jazz (15-54, LW 30). Whereas they could perceive what is occurring intellectually, all this shedding—10 straight proper now—is difficult on Jazz followers. Utah does not tank like this. In the event that they end with the worst file within the NBA, the Jazz are assured a top-five choose, and the final time they’d a choose within the prime 5 was greater than a decade in the past, in 2014 (Dante Exum).
