The All-Star Game has passed; now is the time for teams to gear up for the playoffs. There will be movement in overall standings with the most vital movement around the play-in tournament seedings. Below are the updated team power rankings for Week 18.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City sits atop the Western Conference and is tied with Cleveland for the NBA’s best record at 44-10. Injuries could derail the Thunder’s quest for the Western Conference Finals, but they’ve stayed healthy for the better part of the season. Oklahoma City can win the NBA Finals with continued domination.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland enters Week 18 atop the Eastern Conference with a 5.5-game lead on Boston. They’ve played consistent basketball up to this point and will be a favorite to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers can win the NBA Finals by outperforming their opponents throughout the playoffs.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston’s road domination has them geared up come playoffs. Opposing teams dread Boston coming into their home stadium, and rightfully so. Boston can win the NBA Finals with the team’s playoff experience and winning games on the road.
4. Denver Nuggets
Denver comes out of the All-Star break with an eight-game winning streak. Early season struggles have been ironed out and the team is playing the best basketball in the NBA. Denver can win the NBA Finals with experience and one specific name: Nikola Jokic.
5. New York Knicks
New York has played consistently at home and on the road. They’ve dominated conference foes, but they rely heavily upon their starters, and this could be an issue should any players slow down as the playoffs begin. New York can win the NBA Finals by staying healthy and dominating the playoffs defensively.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has a 0.5-game lead on Denver for second in the Western Conference. They’ve managed to tread water, but defensive play could see them drop in the conference standings. Memphis can win the NBA Finals by outpacing their opponents and improving defensive production.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers come out of the All-Star break fifth in the Western Conference. They are a team to watch as the season progresses, as their starters may fizzle out due to a high number of minutes played per game. The key to the Lakers winning the NBA Finals comes down to a healthy, rejuvenated LeBron James, role players picking up their production, and solidifying the center position.
8. Houston Rockets
Houston continues to finish with more shot attempts than their opponents. This has been beneficial in the Rockets’ successful season. Improved defense has been the most important factor in the team’s consistency. Houston can win the NBA Finals by playing lockdown defense throughout the playoffs.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota continues to fix inconsistencies, but struggles appear in close games. Entering the final weeks of the season, the Timberwolves have one of the easiest schedules remaining. The Timberwolves can win the NBA Finals if they win close games during the playoffs.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles relies heavily on their veterans, and they have rewarded the team with success. The Clippers are one team to watch as the season ends as their veterans’ heavy usage could take its toll. The Clippers can win the NBA Finals if their veterans stay healthy and continue their consistent play.
11. Indiana Pacers
Fourth in the Eastern Conference, Indiana needs to stay consistent in the final weeks of the season. Their youth has played a crucial role in the team’s success, but will lack of experience hinder them in the playoffs?
12. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas currently sits in the play-in tournament. Their big men are out with injuries, and this could see them slip in the standings. The Mavericks season comes down to staying afloat until Anthony Davis returns from injury.
13. Golden State Warriors
Golden State enters post-All-Star owning the Western Conference’s final play-in tournament spot. Since acquiring Jimmy Butler, the team is 3-1. The Warriors do not have the firepower to finish ahead of the play-in tournament, and they will need to stay ahead of Phoenix and San Antonio.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee continues to rely on Giannis, but the Bucks superstar has battled injury throughout the season. The team will make the playoffs, but an early exit is likely unless role players step up.
15. Detroit Pistons
Detroit continues to be a surprise team this season. They have a 2.5-game lead for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. Their inexperience will be tested as the regular season ends.
16. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are 23-32. They may play themselves into the play-in tournament, but anything other than an early exit is hard to imagine. The Trail Blazers may see a consistent streak of losses to ensure better odds in the draft lottery.
17. Phoenix Suns
If the season ended today, Phoenix would not finish in the play-in tournament. The team relies on their core three, and this could be their demise as the season ends. They will make the play-in tournament, but will high-minute usage take its toll on their core three?
18. Orlando Magic
The Magic have been one of the league’s hottest teams followed by the league’s coldest teams. The team’s youth has played well this season, but their inability to shoot from the arc could cause issues in the play-in tournament.
19. Sacramento Kings
It’s been a trying season for Sacramento, but they’ve hung around all season. The Kings have one of the toughest schedules to finish the season. If they finish in the play-in tournament, Sacramento could be a problem for teams should they make it past the play-in games.
20. Miami Heat
Miami will continue their fight for the play-in tournament, and their home-heavy remaining schedule should see them make it. It’s been a long season for Miami, and they will be a tough matchup the rest of the way.
21. San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio will enter Week 18 aiming to finish in the play-in tournament or better. If the Spurs make the playoffs, they will be a tough matchup for Western Conference teams.
22. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta will look to build upon their play-in standing but continue to play by living and dying by the three. The Hawks need improved defense, or an early postseason exit will occur.
23. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are in the hunt for a play-in spot after improved play. They do not possess the talent or depth to make a real run in the playoffs. The front office will have to decide if it is more important to better their draft lottery odds or see young players gain experience from the play-in tournament.
24. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have one of the league’s easiest schedules as the season ends. The team will not make the playoffs and will look to better their draft lottery odds.
25. Philadelphia 76ers
Their best-case scenario is making the play-in tournament and moving on. Their success relies on Joel Embiid and Paul George being healthy as the play-in tournament starts. It’s been a trying season for the 76ers.
26. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are holding on to a play-in spot, but their schedule could see them fall short. They are not talented enough to make a deep run and pose no threat to other play-in teams.
27. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have underachieved through the season. They have no chance of making the play-in tournament and hope to land the number one pick in the upcoming draft.
28. New Orleans Pelicans
What should the Pelicans expect at this point in the season? They need to increase their draft odds for the upcoming NBA draft and enter the next season with a fully healthy roster.
29. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets need talent added to their roster. They will lose many games as the season ends and will look to land the number one pick in the draft.
30. Washington Wizards
Let the stretch of losses begin as Washington is the favorite to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
