NBA Power Rankings: Week 21
Well we made it guys, the last week of the regular season before the playoffs start on May 18th. I am incredibly impressed the NBA got through the season with all the covid protocols. Personally I am ready for the regular seasons to be over and get down to the playoffs. This is the final week of my rankings before I write about the playoff matchups, I hope you all enjoyed them or at least thought I sounded smart. For the last time in the 20/21 season LET’S GO!
16. Washington Wizards (32-37)
Previously: Not Ranked
The Washington Wizards are going to make the NBA playoffs, granted it will be in the play-in tournament. Russel Westbrook is now the all time leader in the triple doubles in NBA history. Bradley Beal dropped 50 points and now sits just percentage points behind Steph for the NBA scoring lead, he did miss a game with a hamstring injury. Can the Wizards make a run, no, but hey shoutout to my boy Tyler for calling the Wizards making the playoffs.
15. Boston Celtics (35-34)
Previously: #14
Rough week for the Celtics, it looks like they are destined for the play-in tourney. They couldn’t get a big win when they needed it and now they have lost Jaylen Brown for the season. Kemba Walker has started to play more like himself lately and Boston will need him if they want to escape the play-in tournament. Boston has four games left and they will need victories in them all if they hope to avoid the play-in tournament.
14. Golden State Warriors (36-33)
Previously: #16
Are Golden State and the Lakers destined to play in the seven eight matchup? Steph has been carrying this team for the last month or so and he deserves some MVP consideration. Curry is also fighting for the scoring title which will be a fun race to watch. The Warriors final game of the season is against the Grizzlies which may determine their final seeding.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (38-30)
Previously: #12
It is officially panic time in La La Land. The Lakers got Anthony Davis back and he has returned to his all NBA form. The Lakers title hopes fall onto the right ankle of Lebron James who came back from two games before missing more games. He is scheduled to come back mid week but does he have enough time to shake off the rust? If the Lakers are healthy they can still be dangerous but it is crunch time for these injured Lakers.
12. Atlanta Hawks (38-31)
Previously: #10
The Hawks are fighting for the fourth seed and home court in the first round of the playoffs, but a loss to the Pacers has hurt their chances. The Hawks are getting healthy, finally, and you can really see their potential. Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Danilo Gallinari can be an electric big three in the heart of Georgia.
11. Portland Trailblazers (40-29)
Previously: #13
HUGE win for the Trailblazers over the Lakers as they control their destiny with the series win and have a 1.5 game lead over LA. If the Blazers handle business, they should have no trouble holding onto the six seed. Portland will always be a streaky team, but if they shoot well from deep they have a good chance to win. Terry Stots might be in the hot seat if Portland has another early playoff exit.
10. Dallas Mavericks (40-29)
Previously: #11
The Mavs seem to be out of the play-in contention. They have fought and clawed their way into the five seed which gives them a matchup with either the Nuggets or the Clippers. Luka and the offense will always score in bunches but the defense is keeping them from being a real title contender.
9. Miami Heat (38-31)
Previously: #9
Miami is very similar to Dallas before them in the rankings, they have fought and clawed their way out of the play-in tournament. With a win over the Celtics they have added to their lead in the standings to two games. The last game of the season against Boston will determine if they hold onto the six seed. This is not the time for Miami to let up though, you want to come into the playoffs playing at a high level.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (46-23)
Previously: #7
Honestly I don’t think the Clippers really care about where they are seeding-wise. They have been playing up and down all year but unlike their Staples Center counterpart they are getting healthy at the right time. Serge Ibaka is coming back soon, Kawhi, PG13, and Rondo seem to be on the right track for the playoffs. Is this finally the Clippers year?
7. New York Knicks (38-30)
Previously: #8
As I type this the Knicks are battling the Lakers on the last game of their six game road trip. If they drop this game to the Lakers they will finish the trip with a 3-3 record, not bad for a road trip across the country at the tail end of the regular season. Again since the all-star break the Knicks have turned around their offense and whoever they matchup with in the first round is going to have a tough matchup.
6. Brooklyn Nets (44-24)
Previously: #6
Brooklyn has started to relinquish some of their strong hold on the east. A win over a very good Denver team kept them from a 5 game slide. Kyrie and KD put in a monster week averaging 67 points together, carrying the load with some help from Blake Griffin and his 20 point performance against the Nuggets. Like so many of these top teams health is a big question mark, James Harden is still working his way back from injury and he promises he will be back before the regular season ends.
5. Denver Nuggets (45-24)
Previously: #2
The Nuggets have slipped into the four seed in the west and fall in my rankings this week. Jokic is the MVP of the league, Michael Porter Jr has taken over as the 2nd star for the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon was a revelation for Denver but he has been averaging under 5 points a game, he did miss time with a calf injury which could be the reason. The Nuggets would need to win out to take over the three seed from the Clippers.
4. Phoenix Suns (48-20)
Previously: #1
Well the Suns had the top spot last week and then took their foot of the gas and needed to drop in my rankings. Their defense was an issue as they gave up 135 and 124 to the Hawks and Lakers respectively. The loss particularly against the Lakers showed some issues as Anthony Davis dominated the front court and the West has some great big men for the Suns to contend with in the playoffs. Chris Paul should garner some MVP votes but somehow the Suns might disappoint again in the playoffs.
3. Utah Jazz (50-19)
Previously: #5
The Jazz are back on top of the west after a five game win streak. Utah is really fighting to keep that top spot despite the injuries they have had to Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley. The rest of the supporting cast has really carried the team in their absence. As good as the Jazz have been playing they need their top playmakers back with the Lakers or Warriors looming in those bottom seeds.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (43-25)
Previously: #4
Huge week for the Bucks, they swept the two game series against the Nets and now hold the tiebreaker over Brooklyn. Even bigger for Milwaukee their three big stars are rounding into form. Giannis, Middleton and Holiday are playing at an elite level and have the Bucks primed to take over the two seed in the East. Just like the Clippers, is this the year for Bucks?
1. Philadelphia 76ers (47-21)
Previously #3
An eight game win streak has vaulted Philly into the spot for the last rankings of the season. Granted the Sixers have been beating teams beneath them in the standings, which is all the better. Clinch early and rest your players to wait and see who they meet up with in the first round. Securing the 1st seed would be huge for Philly as the first two rounds of the playoffs would avoid the Nets and Bucks. I am going to end this with the same question as two other teams, is this finally the year for the 76ers?