These are the top 8 teams in the NBA as the season nears it’s end:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City enters week 25, holding the top spot again. Their rotation is healthy, and this will play an integral role in their playoff success. They are the clear favorite to reach the Western Conference Finals.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Sitting atop the Eastern Conference, Cleveland entered Sunday with a five-game lead on Boston. Five games remain, and the Cavaliers are headed for the Eastern Conference regular season crown. Cleveland is the favorite to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and have the best odds to win the NBA Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are likely to finish second in the Eastern Conference, and the team is putting an emphasis on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being healthy as the playoffs begin. The duo, and Kristaps Porzingis, must be healthy for a push to the Eastern Conference Finals.
4. Houston Rockets
Houston continues to finish the season strong and seems to be in a three-dog race with Oklahoma City and Denver to reach the Western Conference Finals. Their defense will be a deciding factor in whether they reach the conference finals.
5. Golden State Warriors
Golden State faced adversity for the better part of the season, but the acquisition of Jimmy Butler seemed to right the ship. Entering week 25 healthy, the veteran team will be a tough matchup in the playoffs and their experience can be the reason they win this year’s NBA Finals.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota currently owns the Western Conference’s 6th seed, but the Los Angeles Clippers will make a push to lead Minnesota and stay out of the play-in tournament. Minnesota will need to dominate the glass and play stout defense to hold their current seeding.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are currently in the play-in tournament and entered Sunday with four regular season games remaining. Whether they finish as the Western Conference’s 6th seed or find themselves in the play-in tournament, Kawhi Leonard will be heavily relied upon for a deep playoff run.
8. New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson’s absence was a major blow to the Knicks. His return Sunday gives him five games to prepare for the playoffs. A deep playoff run will lie solely on Jalen Brunson quickly shaking off any rust from his ankle injury that caused him to miss a month of action.
