Well, here we are folks. The last power rankings of the season. The regular season ends this Wednesday, and then it’s playoff time! Let’s see where each team stands heading into the playoffs
Biggest Jump: Minnesota Timberwolves: Up 7
Biggest Drop: Oklahoma City Thunder: Down 5
1. Golden State Warriors
Record: 72-9
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
The Warriors end the season on top. Are you surprised? I didn’t think so. At 72-9, the Dubs will have a very good shot at breaking the 72-10 record when they face off against Memphis on Wednesday.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 65-15
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
The Spurs have been incredible all season long, and are the only team that should really scare Golden State come playoff time.
3.Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 52-28
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
The Clippers are red-hot heading into the postseason. They’ve now won nine of their last ten games now. Chris Paul has had a great year. This team hasn’t been talked about much this season, largely due to Blake Griffin’s injury. Don’t sleep on the Clips, though. They’re as dangerous as ever.
4. Toronto Raptors
Record: 54-26
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
The Raptors have smashed their franchise record for wins in a season(previous high of 49 was set last season). The Raptors have a legitimate shot at the Finals, especially with DeMarre Carroll expected to return.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 56-24
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
The Cavs have dropped their last two games –to Indiana and Chicago– but are still the team to beat in the East… Especially if you ask Kyrie Irving. Prior to their two most recent losses, the Cavs had won four straight, and will look to close the season on a high note in their final two games in Atlanta and Detroit.
6. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 48-32
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
The Hawks will finish the season on a high note, having come out on top in 15 of their last 19 matchups. Their last two wins have been satisfying ones against eastern conference playoff teams — the Celtics and Raptors. The Hawks play in Cleveland tonight, which should be an interesting matchup. This team has really been tremendous in the latter half of this season, particularly on the defensive end. Paul Millsap should be named to an All-NBA team.
7. Boston Celtics
Record: 47-33
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
This is the Celtics’ winningest season since 2010-11. They dropped their last game to Atlanta, but had won their last four prior to that. Their final two games this season will have colossal impact on playoff seeding — vs. Charlotte and Miami.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 54-26
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
The Thunder drop a few spots after losing four of their last six games. Prior to this recent slide, though, they had rattled off eight wins in a row. The Thunder have an easy game against the Lakers today, and a tough matchup in San Antonio tomorrow.
9. Miami Heat
Record: 47-33
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
The Heat have had a very good season, and will look to finish strong on the road. They play back-to-back games in Detroit and Boston.
10. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 46-34
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
The Hornets have really figured out a nice identity for themselves this season, led by a talented duo of Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. They need to do whatever it takes to re-sign Batum this off-season. If they can keep him, and get Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to stay healthy, this team can be even better next season.
11. Detroit Pistons
Record: 43-37
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
The Pistons have already clinched their playoff spot, which is a good thing since they may drop their final two games(vs. Miami, @ Cleveland).
strong>12. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 43-38
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
The Blazers have a nice long break. They played last on Saturday against Minnesota, and they don’t play again until Wednesday at home against the Nuggets. I don’t see this team making it out of the first round, but I think that whoever they play, it will be an entertaining series to watch.
13.Indiana Pacers
Record: 43-37
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
The Pacers have won four of their last five, including a nice win over the Cavs. This team seems like a first-round-out team, but don’t overlook Paul George’s impact.
14.Utah Jazz
Record: 40-40
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
The Jazz could finish two games under .500 and still make the playoffs(if Houston loses one of their remaining two games). That’s a testament to how backwards this NBA season has been. It’s typically the East that sees middling teams make the playoffs, but not this year. The Jazz haven’t clinched the playoffs just yet, but they would have to lose both their remaining games, and the Rockets would have to win both of theirs for Utah to miss the postseason.
15. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 41-39
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Behind a last-minute run, the Mavs will likely make the playoffs. They won six in a row before falling to the Clippers. Like the Jazz though, the Mavs haven’t actually clinched just yet.
16. Chicago Bulls
Record: 40-40
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
The Bulls have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Bulls fell apart when Butler got injured, and didn’t pick things up after he returned. The Bulls are a candidate for most disappointing team in the league this season.
17. Washington Wizards
Record: 39-41
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Another contender for most disappointing team of the year. Despite the excellence of John Wall and Marcin Gortat, this team finds itself two games under .500 with two games left to play. If this team can stay healthy next year, and maybe add another piece, they should be a surefire playoff team.
18. Houston Rockets
Record: 39-41
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Winner of the most disappointing team of the year award. From Western Conference Finals to (probably) missing the playoffs with an almost identical roster.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 28-52
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Karl-Anthony Towns is just so, so good. And this team jumps up the rankings because they’ve started winning, which is strange. Typically a team as far down the standings as Minnesota is tries to tank. Instead, the Wolves have won three in a row, including wins over the Warriors and Trail Blazers. They’ve also won six of their last ten.
20. Sacramento Kings
Record: 32-48
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
The Kings beat the Thunder in their last game, which was surprising to say the least. The Kings have played .500 ball over their last 10 games. At this point, it really doesn’t matter though. They’re obviously not making the playoffs, so their eyes should be set on the lottery.
21. Orlando Magic
Record: 34-46
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
The Magic are finishing the season on a relatively high note, having won five of their last eight games. Orlando is young and very talented. However, they have yet to turn young talent into on-court success.
22. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 42-38
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
The Grizzlies’ playoff series is going to be mind-numbingly boring. This team, with its current injuries, is in no way shape or form a playoff team. The Grizzlies have lost 12 of their last 15 games.
23. Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 33-47
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
The Bucks are so fun. All aboard the Giannis hype train! Jabari Parker has looked great as well, and Kris Middleton is one of the best three-and-D players in the league. The future is bright
24. Denver Nuggets
Record: 33-48
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Like the Bucks and Timberwolves, the Nuggets have a lot of young talent. That talent has not translated into winning yet though. Denver has lost six of its last eight games.
25. New York Knicks
Record: 32-49
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony have made this team a little bit fun, which is definitely progress. Baby steps.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 30-50
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
With Anthony Davis out, this team isn’t much fun to watch. Hopefully the lottery will be kind to the Pels. Anthony Davis probably wouldn’t mind a talented young teammate to play with.
27. Phoenix Suns
Record: 24-49
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Devin Booker has been the story of the year for the Suns. The kid has been incredible, and he won’t turn 20 until late October. The Suns snapped a seven-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over New Orleans and Houston.
28. Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 16-64
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
The Kobe farewell storyline has diverted some attention away from what has been a horrendous year for the Lakers. The Lakers have lost 9 of their last 10 and 13 of their last 15.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 21-59
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
The Nets have their last 8 games, and are really just a depressingly bleak team.
30. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 10-70
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
The Sixers are as much a lock for last place as the Warriors are for first. This is one of the worst teams in basketball history. Tank away, Philly. Behind the scenes, Bryan Colangelo has been hired as GM to replace Sam Hinkie.
