NBA Power Rankings: Week 19
We have just over three weeks left in the regular season and we have our first clinched playoff spot. We are in the fourth quarter of the regular season and every game is incredibly important. Teams are fighting for seeding as well as trying to avoid the play-in “tournament”. The standings are as of the morning of 4.27.21. Let’s go!
16. Portland Trailblazers (32-28)
Previously: 13
The Portland Trailblazers are driving the struggle bus right now. With how bad their defense is, if the offense struggles the Blazers can’t win. Dame missed three games and he has not found his shot since his return. With their losing streak Portland has fallen out of the top 6 and into the dreaded play-in round. I think they might be stuck there.
15. Golden State Warriors (31-30)
Previously: #15
The Warriors are in a heated race with the Spurs and Grizzlies, while all three seem determined for the play-in tourney. Getting the seven or eight seed means you only have to win one game and you’re in. Steph and Draymond have been carrying the load, the former with his scoring and the latter with his passing and rebounding.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (31-29)
Previously: #15
Jaren Jackson Jr has finally rejoined the Grizzlies. Memphis will take some time to work him fully back into the rotation, but getting him back should be a huge boost for the Grizzlies. Getting him back is key as Jonas Valanciunas has missed some games due to a concussion. Just like the Warriors the Grizzlies really want to end up as a seven or eight seed if all possible.
13. Boston Celtics (32-29)
Previously: #9
Has Boston been the most disappointing team this year? They had guys in and out of the lineup all week and after a disappointing outing against Charlotte, head coach Brad Stevens said “we got outplayed, outcoached, and outhustled.” Going 1-3 this past week has dropped them down in my rankings and the eastern standings, every game is crucial for Boston at this point.
12. Miami Heat (32-30)
Previously: #14
I am not sure how to spell the noise that a roller coaster makes when it is going up the first hill of the ride, but that is currently what’s going on with the Heat. After going 3-1 they are tied with the Celtics for that sixth spot in the East. The key for the Heat is their shooting, if they shoot well from deep they win, if not they lose.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (36-25)
Previously: #8
Good news Lakers fans, Anthony Davis is back! Bad news Laker nation, with AD in the lineup LA lost both games against the Mavericks. The second one was especially brutal as they lost after leading by 17 at one point. The Lakers are holding onto the 5th seed right now and all eyes are now on Lebron James and his return. How much time does Bron and AD need to get back to peak form?
10. Dallas Mavericks (33-27)
Previously: #12
Dallas has worked their way out of the play-in tourney with the help of two huge wins over the Lakers and the poor play of Portland. With those wins, Dallas holds the tiebreaker over LA which is huge if they end the season with the same record. Luka is the star and Dallas will always help them score, but if they can play even middle-of-the-pack defense they could surprise some teams.
9. Atlanta Hawks (34-28)
Previously: #10
Atlanta is in the fight for first round home court advantage even with all the injuries that they have faced. Trae Young missed some games with a sprained ankle and Clint Capela has missed time with a back issue. That didn’t matter as the Hawks had a big win over the Heat and that tie breaker is now in their hands. They will have a fight on their hands with another upstart team, the New York Knicks, for that fourth spot.
8. New York Knicks (34-28)
Previously: #11
There is not much to be excited about if you are a Knicks fan. They have had their longest win streak since the 2012-2013 season, and they are definitely making the playoffs. Julius Randle is a low key MVP candidate and RJ Barrett has really stepped up his game in his second season, while Derek Rose has been a very good addition to this young Knicks team.
7. Milwaukee Bucks (37-23)
Previously: #7
The Bucks seem destined for the three seed in the East. They had two losses this week, a brutal overtime loss to the Suns and they gave away a lead to the Hawks to finish out the week. Bobby Portis had a good week for the Bucks shooting 66% from three and had a 23 point game against the 76ers. Can the Bucks climb into the top 2 in the east?
6. Philadelphia 76ers (40-21)
Previously: #1
Tough week for the 6ers. They lost 4 in a row and Ben Simmons has been on covid protocol during this time. As much as people seem to hate Ben Simmons his defense is elite and they struggled without him. With Simmons absence and the losing streak, they have opened the door for the Bucks to take over the second seed.
5. Utah Jazz (44-17)
Previously: #4
Donovan Mitchell is still out and it seems to be at least another week before he makes his return to the Jazz lineup. Utah has gone 2-2 in that time, but one of those losses was a rest game for the starters. Bojan Bogdanovic has picked up some of the scoring missing with Mitchell’s injury, scoring 20.5 and shooting very well from deep. A very surprising loss to the TWolves to finish the week is a bit of a disappointment but the Jazz are the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
4. Denver Nuggets (40-21)
Previously: #6
The injury bug is still coming after the Nuggets, now after Will Barton with a hamstring injury. Denver did sign Austin Rivers to help with the back court issues. Jokic has been as amazing as always but really Michael Porter Jr has stepped up in Murray’s absence, scoring over 20 a game and shooting above 50% from three. They have gone 5-1 without Jamal Murray even though the schedule has been weaker.
3. Brooklyn Nets (41-20)
Previously: #5
Rough news for Brooklyn as James Harden won’t return anytime soon with a hamstring injury. Better news KD has returned to the lineup and is scoring at his usual pace. If I was a Nets fan I would be slightly worried about their health as they really haven’t had a complete team all year. Brooklyn did go 3-1 last week and took over the top spot in the East.
2. Phoenix Suns (43-18)
Previously: #2
This has been a really tough schedule for the Suns. It started well with wins over the Bucks and Sixers, then got worse with losses to Boston and Brooklyn. Their shooting went cold from deep during those final two games, as they shot just 26% from three. Tough week ahead with matchups with the Knicks, Clippers, and Jazz. If the Suns pass this test, they are officially a title contender.
1. Los Angeles Clippers (43-20)
Previously #3
For what I believe is the first time all year I have the Clippers as my number one team in the rankings. Since the trade deadline they have gone 14-3 and Paul George has been leading the way by scoring 30 or more in seven out of the last eight games. For the Clippers getting home court is important but health should be the main focus. Kawhi, Patrick Beverly, Serge Ibaka, and Rajon Rondo have missed time lately. Is this finally the Clippers year?