The season is down to the final stretch. The last few months have seen movement between the first and second-place teams, but Cleveland, Oklahoma City, and Boston are the top teams in the NBA. Here are the Week 20 NBA Team Power Rankings.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland continues to roll and owns the best record in the NBA. Kenny Atkinson will be a favorite for NBA Coach of the Year and continues to lead the Cavaliers. Cleveland’s continued domination can lead them to an NBA championship.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City has dominated the Western Conference all season and will be a force in the playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the front-runner for MVP, and the Thunder’s frontcourt presence will be the reason they win the NBA Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston has caught fire recently, winning seven of their last 10 games. They’ve picked up their pace, and their playoff experience can take them to the Eastern Conference Finals. If Boston can best Cleveland in the Conference Finals, their experience will be the reason they repeat as NBA champions.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are 6-2 since acquiring Luka Doncic, and his presence has given the Lakers the shot in the arm they needed. Steady production and lockdown defense can propel Los Angeles to win the NBA Finals.
5. New York Knicks
New York is in sole possession of the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, but their offense has taken a step back. Tom Thibodeau will always have a defense-first mentality, and this will help the Knicks right the ship offensively. If New York sees their offense click while continuing their defensive efficiency, they can win the NBA Finals.
6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are a team that will pick up their pace when the playoffs start. They’re a veteran squad that has a recent NBA Championship under their belts. If they reach the Western Conference Finals and defeat Oklahoma City, their playoff experience can lead them to a second NBA championship in three seasons.
7. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are destined to finish as the fifth or sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. They’ve been consistent for most of the season and will be a tough matchup for any playoff opponent. They lack overall playoff experience but can win the NBA Championship by continuing their high pace of play and keeping each playoff game close.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis has hit a rough patch, going 4-6 over their last 10 games. They have one of the NBA’s toughest remaining schedules and need to enter the playoffs on two feet. If the Grizzlies are to win the NBA Finals, they will need big games from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
9. Houston Rockets
Fred VanVleet’s return is huge for a Rockets team that is 5-5 over their last 10 games. VanVleet will help an offense that has struggled of late, and the team will look for the veteran to carry them into the playoffs. The Rockets’ hopes of an NBA Championship will rely on overall health, improved offensive efficiency, and lockdown perimeter defense.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota continues to struggle with efficiency. If the season ended today, they’d be in the play-in tournament, and fixing any deficiencies will be the key to moving on in the playoffs. The Timberwolves’ chances of winning an NBA championship come down to keeping games close, finding efficiency, and surviving the play-in tournament.
11. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have struck gold, going 7-1 since acquiring Jimmy Butler. They will be in the play-in tournament, and keeping their core healthy will improve their chances of moving on in the playoffs.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee’s improved defense has led to their success since the All-Star Break, but will they be healthy when the playoffs start?
13. Detroit Pistons
Detroit currently sits at 34-27 after finishing last season 14-68. They continue to improve, and there will be a tough first-round matchup in the playoffs.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are hanging onto the Western Conference’s sixth seed, but their offensive and defensive issues could be the cause of their fall in the playoffs.
15. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas will need to pick up the pace if they are to hold onto a play-in spot. If Anthony Davis enters the play-in tournament healthy, Dallas will survive. However, their injury-plagued big men could be the reason the team falls out of playoff contention.
16. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland will miss the play-in tournament, and offseason moves are needed. They have a handful of young, talented players but need more veteran depth.
17. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is hanging onto a play-in spot, but Domantas Sabonis is set to miss at least a week with a hamstring issue. The Kings must have a healthy Sabonis to move on from the play-in tournament.
18. Miami Heat
Miami is positioned for a play-in spot, but they lack the overall depth to win a playoff series should they move on from the play-in tournament.
19. Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero will be the reason if Orlando makes it through the play-in tournament.
20. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs season was closed shut when Victor Wembanyama was set to miss the remainder of the season. The Spurs can look forward to their young, talented core heading into next season.
21. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks’ lack of defense could be their demise in the play-in tournament. If they make it through, they will not win their first playoff series.
22. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix continues the race for the Western Conference’s last play-in spot, but their lack of depth is making the play-in tournament seem less likely.
23. New Orleans Pelicans
Another week and the same story for New Orleans. They must decide on the team’s future as well as Zion Williamson’s and hope they land the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.
24. Brooklyn Nets
The off-season will be important for Brooklyn. They need to hit on upcoming draft picks, sign talented veterans, and figure out why their entire roster was decimated by injuries this season.
25. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is hanging onto a play-in spot, but the team will not survive. They must land the top pick in the upcoming draft while moving Nikola Vucevic for draft assets. A complete roster teardown is needed.
26. Toronto Raptors
Toronto is looking forward to the next season and needs to find a way to keep their young players healthy for the foreseeable future.
27. Philadelphia 76ers
The terrible season continues, and Philadelphia must figure out what to do with Joel Embiid in the offseason.
28. Utah Jazz
Utah currently owns the third-best odds in the NBA Draft Lottery. They need a complete rebuild and trade-off any pieces for future assets.
29. Washington Wizards
If Washington lands the top draft pick, they will select Cooper Flagg. However, the front office needs a plan in place to build around the young superstar, or they will continue being a bottom feeder.
30. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets lack overall talent and direction. Until they figure out how to build a roster, they will continue being in the hunt for the top draft pick for years to come.
