NBA Power Rankings: Week 17
The rankings this week were a bit of shuffle at the top. The western conference is now dominating the top five spots. Some of the eastern conference teams have started to fade a bit as well. We are getting closer and closer to the end of the regular season and we are starting to see more clearly where everyone will end up. The standings are as of the morning of April 13th. Let’s go!
16. Memphis Grizzlies (27-25)
Previously: #16
The Grizzlies are trying to prove that they belong in the western conference playoff picture. They have jumped into the eight seed after exploding offensively averaging 123 points a game. Jonas Valanciunas has been leading this team in scoring over the last couple of games. The Grizz have a seven game road trip coming up that can make or break their playoff chances.
15. New York Knicks (28-27)
Previously: #15
The Knicks started the week off slowly, with two losses to the Nets and Celtics. The Knicks followed that up by beating the Grizzlies, Raptors, and Lakers. These are all good games for a young Knicks team to gain experience. RJ Barrett has been the second best player on this team the last couple of weeks, it is a good sign that he has meshed into Thibs system.
14. Charlotte Hornets (27-25)
Previously: #13
Buzz City is riddled with injuries, but somehow they went 2-1 this week and could have gone 3-0 if Terry Rozier hit a shot against Atlanta. Miles Bridges has been helping carry the load, scoring 21.7 points a game and shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. They will need to stay afloat while waiting for some of these injuries if they want to stay in the playoff race.
13. Portland Trail Blazers (31-22)
Previously: #10
The Blazers had a rough week, they went 1-3 and lost each game by an average of 15 points. They currently sit in the 6th spot in the west, just a game and a half above the Mavs. Dame had an off week, so the Trailblazers had an off week. The only way Portland is going to have a deep run is if Dame’s supporting cast can help, teams are throwing more and more double teams at the Trailblazers superstar.
12. Boston Celtics (28-26)
Previously: #14
Boston is in a virtual tie with the Hornets for the 6th spot in the East. If they want to avoid the play in games they will need to turn the ball over less, they averaged 18.5 turnovers a game last week and somehow still went 3-1. The real reason is all star Jayson Tatum went off this week offensively including a 53 point outburst against the Timberwolves. Huge win over the Nuggets to end the week, after going on a 31-3 run to close out the game has the Celtics trending in the right direction.
11. Atlanta Hawks (29-25)
Previously: #12
Want to know something crazy? The Hawks have finally had some good coaching and are healthy and are now winning games. Their shooting from three has been off the charts lately. They finished the week shooting 43.2% from three, that is including a third quarter where they went 11-11 from deep. The Hawks should be able to hold onto a top 6 spot in the East if they continue to play well.
10. Dallas Mavericks (29-24)
Previously: #8
The Mavs have won 6 of their last 8 games, but they drop in my rankings because one of those losses was to the lowly Rockets. As good as their offensive can be, their defense is what is carrying the team as of late. With Luka, the offense will always be good, if their defense can continue to play at a high level, Dallas has a chance to make this a special season.
9. Miami Heat (28-25)
Previously: #11
Well this was always the worry with Victor Oladipo, the injury bug. He was starting to blend in with the Heat, before going down with a knee injury. I have brought this up so often, but if Tyler Herro shoots well this Heat team can contend, if he doesn’t they can miss the playoffs. They’ve got some tough games ahead with matchups against the Suns and Jazz.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (33-21)
Previously: #9
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, that should be the mantra for the Lakers right now. If they can stay in the top six in the west and get AD and Bron back in time they are automatic title contenders. Somehow this week they beat the Nets handedly without their two stars and without Kyle Kuzma. They have gone 5-6 over their past 11, if they can keep that pace they should stay afloat until fully healthy.
7. Milwaukee Bucks (33-20)
Previously: #4
The Bucks drop in my rankings because they have lost 3 in a row and all of those have been without Giannis. One of their losses was not all that surprising as they were without Giannis, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Dante DiVincenzo, and Brook Lopez. With these losses they have dropped out of my top five, but they should be able to hold onto a top three spot in the East.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (37-17)
Previously: #5
The 76ers are still rounding into form with their star big man Joel Embiid back in the fold. The good news, he has played in three games including a back to back. He is still finding his form in return from the bone bruise. They are in a fight with the Nets for the first seed in the East for home court advantage throughout the eastern playoffs. Tough week ahead with Dallas, Brooklyn, and the Clippers on the docket.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (37-18)
Previously: #7
The Clippers are on a five game winning streak and maybe should be higher in my rankings but I still have zero trust in them. They have been scoring at a high rate and their stars are playing well, both Leonard and George averaging over 25 a game during this streak. We will see if they can keep this hot streak going as they play seven of their next ten away from Staples Center.
4. Denver Nuggets (34-20)
Previously: #6
Well these rankings came out before Jamal Murray went down with a torn ACL, he will miss the rest of the season. That 31-3 epic run the Celtics went on to beat the Nuggets kept them out of my top three for this week. With the Jamal Murray injury Nokic will have to carry the team. We will see what happens to this Nuggets squad who were finally starting to mesh, now without their second best player.
3. Brooklyn Nets (36-17)
Previously: #2
Brooklyn got KD back and it was like he never left, he was on a minutes restriction but there is a reason he is one of the best scorers in NBA history. KD scored 19.5 points per game while shooting above 50% and grabbing seven rebounds and 5 assists per game. Kyrie is missing more games due to personal reasons and James Harden is still out with a hamstring injury. Getting blown out by the Lakers is not a good look for the Nets right now.
2. Phoenix Suns (38-15)
Previously: #3
The Suns are not going away, they had a huge win over the Jazz to start the week before falling to the Clippers. They rebounded nicely to beat the Wizards. CP3 has been a revelation for the Suns down the stretch in games. DeAndre Ayton took on Rudy Gobert, and came away with 18 points and 12 boards, play like that could lead the Suns deep in the playoffs.
1. Utah Jazz (40-14)
Previously #1
The Jazz could have dropped in my rankings after losing back to back games for only the second time this season. They came back and beat the Trail Blazers and Kings to finish off the week. They will need to turn around their shooting woes if they want to remain in my top spot. If Jordan Clarkson can turn it around the Jazz should stay atop the Western Conference.