NBA Power Rankings: Week 18
Week 18 of the NBA Power Rankings, the all-star break is over. Thank goodness those festivities were not the best. We are coming down to the home stretch here towards the playoffs. Let’s go!
1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
We start the second half of the season with the Thunder remaining in the top spot. They are tied for the best record in the NBA and have the top ranked defense. They will be looked at as the favorite heading into the playoffs.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
The loss to Boston prior to the all star break wasn’t great, but overall the Cavs still hold a good lead over the reigning champs for 1st in the East. Their historic offense has led the way all season and they should be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
3 - Boston Celtics
Boston might have had a little bit of a championship hangover, yet they have still played well and have won 8 of their last 9. But what puts them apart from the rest of the NBA, they are both a top 5 defensive and offensive team.
4 - Denver Nuggets
Eight straight wins and a vintage Jamal Murray performance has the Nuggets rolling. I will keep harping on this until it's no longer a problem, but their defense is an issue. They honestly might be able to out score those issues, but you never know in the playoffs.
5 - New York Knicks
It is time to start wondering about the minutes the Knicks starters are playing. It has been a calling card of this Knicks team for the last couple of years, but we saw this team break down in the playoffs last year. Can they hold up and make a run?
6 - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are starting to falter just a bit, losing 2 of 3 before the break and with the Nuggets playing so well, they could fall back into 3 in the West. They have totally flipped the script from last season, a good test with some of the Eastern Conference best teams after the break.
7 - Los Angeles Lakers
Lebron didn’t play for the first time in two decades, no joke 20 years of all-star games. The Luka era officially starts today, he is off the minute restrictions and should help lead this Lakers team to a top 6 seed in the playoffs.
8 - Houston Rockets
The Rockets are struggling to reach the space they were in at the beginning of the season. They had a slide before the all star break and then had a rough game against the Warriors. Hopefully the rest and some health will get the Rockets back on track.
9 - Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves went on a magic run to the Western Conference Finals last year based on their defense and star power. They are going to need the same but more from their star this year. Anthony Edwards is going to need to be a top 5 player to lead his team back in this deep Western Conference.
10 - Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have come back down to Earth a little, but they should be an interesting team to watch the rest of the way. Can they stay playing well, and keep a top 4 seed in the East? Home court is always nice in the playoffs.
11 - Dallas Mavericks
Dallas fans, I wrote these power rankings last week and they didn’t get posted because life gets in the way and James was hungry. I apologized for AD getting hurt already, well now he is out even longer and so is everyone else. They are going to be an underdog in every series they play with all these injuries.
12 - Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have completely flipped what their team is about from last year to this year. They are a complete defensive squad who has dropped to the middle of the pack offensively. Can they remain in the top 6 in the West?
13 - Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks were without Giannis for 6 games prior to the break and went 3-3. They are going to be in a battle with Indiana and Detroit for seeding in the East. Do we think this team can make a deep run?
14 - Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons won 4 games before the break and sit in the 6th seed in the East. Just like we all thought. This is the league's most improved team and Cade Cunningham is leading the way. Top 15 in both offensive and defensive is such a huge improvement from last year.
15 - Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler is a Golden State Warrior and the team is 3-1 in those games. This includes the best defense they have played all year. Golden State would love to get into the top 6 of the West and are currently 3.5 games back of the Clippers.
P.S. I am only doing the top 15 teams, if you want me to talk about you; be better, it’s that simple.