It was a shaky week for many teams throughout the NBA as teams continue to compete for the playoffs. Here is a look at this week’s power rankings.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks remain atop the rankings even after struggling to a 2-2 week.
2. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors Klay Thompson and Steph Curry combined for 22 missed three-pointers in a disappointing home loss to the Phoenix Suns. A 1-2 week has the Warriors searching for answers.
3. Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam has really helped the Raptors in a big way this season. A 2-1 week has Toronto heading in the right direction.
4. Houston Rockets
The Rockets had a big week going 3-0 in their last three games. The Rockets also have an eight-game winning streak which is the longest active win streak in the league.
5. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets dropped a spot after a 1-2 week that included a loss at the Warriors.
6. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers looked like one of the hottest teams in the league but a 1-2 week slowed their momentum down.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid’s return on Sunday comes at a big moment as the 76ers turned it around with a victory over the Indiana Pacers, bringing Philadelphia’s week to an end at 2-2.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC has lost six of their last eight games and has slipped to a tie with Portland for fourth in the Western Conference.
9. Boston Celtics
The Celtics looked returned to form with a great 3-0 week.
10. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs jump a spot after going 3-0 in week 21. It also moved San Antonio into a five-game winning streak.
11. Utah Jazz
The Jazz drops a couple of spots after a sluggish 1-2 week. Utah had positioned themselves to make a run at the West’s #3 spot but this stretch deters that a bit.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers kept up some momentum with a strong 2-0 week. This week gets tougher but their next four games are at Staples Center.
13. Indiana Pacers
The Sunday night loss to Philly dampers the Pacers a bit. The trading of wins and losses in their last 10 games has Indiana trending down.
14. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been the hottest team in the East. 12 victories in their last 14 games have the Pistons set for the playoffs.
15. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets continue to show that they are a team that could make some noise in the postseason. A strong 3-0 week only helps.
16. Sacramento Kings
The Kings need to find a way to get wins and quick if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. A 2-1 week was a good start.
17. Orlando Magic
Orlando looks like will be that team just outside the Eastern Conference Playoffs this season.
18. Miami Heat
Miami jumps back into the top 20 after a strong 3-1 week, also jumping back into the eighth and final spot in the East.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns injury could impact the chances of Minnesota finding a way into the postseason, but Minnesota is holding steady at 19 after a strong 3-1 week.
20. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers look done for, as an 0-3 week is a killer for a team that still had playoff hopes.
21. Charlotte Hornets
Its a three-team race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the east, between the Hornets, Magic, and Heat. Which team will take that final spot? Charlotte hasn’t been since 2015.
22. New Orleans Pelicans
Three home games this week for New Orleans, but they look set for a lottery selection this season.
23. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis looked far better in week 21 then they have for much of this season. A 3-0 week was huge for this organization.
24. Washington Wizards
The Wizards dropped a spot after losing two of their three games in week 21.
25. Dallas Mavericks
It was a terrible week for Dallas, much like their last 11 games have been tough. The Mavericks have one win in their last 11 games and it looks like Dallas is bound for a top 10 pick in 2019.
26. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls picked up a last-second victory over Philadelphia during the week but didn’t show anything else during the week losing their other three games.
27. Phoenix Suns
The Suns looked like a changed team posting a 3-1 week including a major victory over the Warriors in Oracle Arena.
28. Atlanta Hawks
It continues to be up and down for Atlanta. The young talent for the Hawks shows promise but Atlanta needs to put it all together first.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs lost both of their games in week 21. They drop back to 29th in the rankings.
30. New York Knicks
The Knicks know own the worst record in the NBA at 13-54 and goign 0-4 in their last foru games only helps their chances at getting the number one pick.
