The first round is ongoing for the 2024-2025 NBA playoffs. Oklahoma City and Cleveland, the NBA’s top two teams in their respective conferences, were the only playoff teams to see 3-0 leads in the first round. Below is a breakdown of the updated team power rankings for the 2024-2025 NBA Playoffs.
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. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles has played close games, but their turnover rate (9.0) is second-best to Cleveland’s 7.5. Their ability to protect the basketball must continue if they have a chance to face Oklahoma City.
4. Boston Celtics
Boston is one of the lowest-ranked playoff teams in field goal attempts. Projected to reach the next round, Boston must find a way to manufacture more shot attempts.
5. Houston Rockets
Houston has the second-best RPG (49.5) and personal fouls (16.0). The Rockets must increase their production from the charity stripe, as they currently own the worst playoff free-throw percentage at 67.5%.
6. New York Knicks
New York has 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. New York’s high free-throw percentage has played to their advantage late in games.
7. Indiana Pacers
Indiana has been a top-ranked playoff team in FG%, FT%, and assists. Rebounding is their Achilles’ heel and needs to be ironed out as they continue their battle with Milwaukee.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota features the 4th-best point differential of the playoffs, but the Lakers have surprisingly won the rebound battle. If Minnesota can iron out this deficiency, a move to the conference semi-finals will occur.
9. Denver Nuggets
Denver has struggled against Los Angeles’s defense, and their high turnover rate has been costly. Their inability to protect the ball and turn possessions into points may lead to an early playoff exit.
10. Golden State Warriors
Golden State’s key to winning their series versus Houston is simple: they must find a way to counteract the Rockets’ defense.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Turnovers and a lack of baskets have been the main issues for Los Angeles. They must protect the basketball and score at a higher percentage if they want to win their series against Minnesota.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis continues to shine but receives no help from the rest of the team. Damian Lillard’s return is great, but he may not have enough time to shake off any rust from his time away from the court.
13. Detroit Pistons
Detroit must find a way to score against New York’s defense, limit turnovers, and lower its number of personal fouls. This is the only way they have a chance to win this series.
14. Orlando Magic
Orlando is near the bottom of the playoff teams in FG%, three-point percentage, and FT%. Their young squad hit a roadblock facing Boston in the first round.