These are the top teams remaining in the NBA playoffs and where they each rank:
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 favorite to reach and win the Eastern Conference Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston is one of the lowest-ranked playoff teams in field goal attempts. Boston must find a way to manufacture more shot attempts because their competition moving forward will be much tougher than the Magic.
4. 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. They have the tough task of facing the Cavs in round 2.
5. Houston Rockets
The Rockets were on the brink of elimination as they were down 3-1 in their series to the Warriors. They have won 2 straight games to force a 7th game and are riding all the momentum now. They get the advantage of playing this game at home, so tonight they will host the Warriors for a chance to move onto round 2.
6. New York Knicks
New York 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. They survived a late comeback in game six from the Pistons to come away with the game and the series, and will head to round 2.
7. Denver Nuggets
Denver struggled against Los Angeles’s defense earlier in the series, and their high turnover rate was costly. They turned things round, though, and despite losing game 6 in Los Angeles by 6, they won game 7 in convincing fashion to book their ticket to round 2.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota features the 4th-best point differential of the playoffs, and even though the Lakers surprisingly won the rebound battle, the T-Wolves were able to beat LA in 5 games and advance to the second round.
9. Golden State Warriors
Golden State led their series over the Rockets 3-1, but have since let the Rockets win each of the past 2 games to even the series up. They will play a decisive game 7 tonight in Houston for the right to move onto round 2.
