There are two weeks left in the season, and playoff teams are making their final push to solidify conference seeding. Below is a breakdown of NBA Team Power Rankings heading into Week 24.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder continue their torrid pace. Their depth could be the reason they win the NBA Finals.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland enters Monday 60-15 and firmly sits in the Eastern Conference’s #1 seed. The Cavaliers should find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals, and their depth should be the deciding factor in winning an NBA championship.
3. Boston Celtics
Boston’s playoff experience can carry them to the conference finals. This will also be the reason why they win the NBA Finals.
4. Houston Rockets
Houston continues to play well as the season comes to an end. Their combination of consistency and defense can be the reason they win an NBA Championship.
5. Golden State Warriors
Golden State continues to hold the Western Conference #6 seed. To win the championship, Golden State will rely on its veterans to stay healthy throughout the playoffs.
6. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic returned after a five-game absence. Jokic will be the reason the Nuggets reach the NBA Finals and win.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakes are holding onto the Western Conference #4 seed. If the Lakers are to win the championship, LeBron James will need to stay healthy.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid continue to power Minnesota’s frontcourt. Their continued strong play, and Anthony Edwards leading the way, can be the reason the Timberwolves reach and win the NBA Finals.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers find themselves in the play-in tournament. They will heavily rely on their consistent offense to lead them through the play-in games.
10. New York Knicks
The Knicks have clinched a playoff spot. Moving forward, they will make sure they enter the playoffs healthy. Their defense can lead them to a championship.
11. Indiana Pacers
Indiana’s young team has fared well, and they are still holding onto the Eastern Conference’s 4th seed.
12. Detroit Pistons
Detroit will be a tough matchup for any playoff opponent.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis currently owns the Eastern Conference 5th seed but decided to part ways with their head coach. This can come back to bite them in the playoffs.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks will go as far as Giannis can take them.
15. Orlando Magic
If Orlando survives the play-in games, they will be a team to watch in the playoffs.
16. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta will continue living and dying, by the three, in the pay-in tournament.
17. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento continues to hold onto the last play-in spot in the Western Conference.
18. Chicago Bulls
Currently, in a play-in spot, Chicago’s youth has the team heading in the right direction.
19. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks currently sit in the play-in tournament, but they will be lucky to make it through.
20. Miami Heat
They can survive the play-in games, but will their lack of a superstar cause them an early exit in the playoffs?
21. Phoenix Suns
If the Suns miss the play-in games, this season was a complete letdown.
22. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have talented youth, but they need to continue building for the future.
23. San Antonio Spurs
The addition of De’Aaron Fox lessens the burden of a disappointing future. However, San Antonio’s future is very bright.
24. Toronto Raptors
It was a disappointing season, and the upcoming draft will be crucial for Toronto.
25. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets need to enter rebuild mode.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Another disappointing season, and another offense figuring out how to keep the roster healthy.
27. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte must land the number one pick in the upcoming draft.
28. Washington Wizards
If Washington loses the number one pick, they enter basketball purgatory.
29. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is eliminated from the playoffs and must answer vital questions in the offseason.
30. Utah Jazz
Utah must sell off anyone who will bring draft assets and start rebuilding.
