Here is a breakdown of the top teams remaining in the NBA playoffs:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City cruised through in their first-round series against Memphis. Ja Morant’s injury did Memphis no favors, but the Thunder dominated every aspect of the game. Oklahoma’s big men led to 50.7 RPG and 6.7 blocks per game. They will play a pivotal role in their next series.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland dominated their first-round series with the 2nd-best point differential at +15. Over their series, they won by an average of 20+ PPG. Cleveland will have their work cut out in the next series, but they are the favorites to reach and win the Eastern Conference Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston is one of the lowest-ranked playoff teams in field goal attempts. Projected to reach the next round, Boston must find a way to manufacture more shot attempts because their competition moving forward will be much tougher than the Magic.
4. Golden State Warriors
Golden State leads their series over the Rockets 3-1 after a big second half in game four last night. With their experience, there is no telling how far they can go.
5. Indiana Pacers
Indiana has been a top-ranked playoff team in FG%, FT%, and assists. They won game 5 in OT over the Bucks to win their series 4-1.
6. New York Knicks
New York has played close games throughout their first-round matchup against Detroit. The Knicks’ defense has been a mainstay throughout the regular season and has carried over into the playoffs.
7. Denver Nuggets
Denver struggled against Los Angeles’s defense earlier in the series, and their high turnover rate was costly. Now they are playing better, especially after winning game five at home by 16 points and taking a 3-2 series lead.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles has played close games, but their turnover rate (9.0) is second-best to Cleveland’s 7.5. Their ability to protect the basketball must continue if they want a chance to beat Denver and move on to face Oklahoma City.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota features the 4th-best point differential of the playoffs, but the Lakers have surprisingly won the rebound battle. Still, the T-Wolves have a 3-1 series lead and can close the series out tonight at the Staples Center.
10. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are on the brink of elimination after another loss to the Warriors. They have to win 3 in a row now if they want to advance to round 2.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Turnovers and a lack of baskets have been the main issues for Los Angeles. They must protect the basketball and score at a higher percentage if they want to win their series against Minnesota.
12. Detroit Pistons
Detroit must find a way to score against New York’s defense, limit turnovers, and lower its number of personal fouls. This is the only way they have a chance to win this series. They did win a touch game 5 in New York, so things head back to Deroit for game 6.
