Mickey Underwood We’ve been through 21 weeks of the NBA season and have reviewed the power rankings nearly every week to give an idea of team strength.
Heading into the final week of the season, most of the teams have established their position and will likely finish at or near where they rank right now. Let’s take a look at the current position for each team.
The Philadelphia 76ers Move Into First
While there may be a swap of this position before the season ends, the Philadelphia 76ers currently hold the top spot with a strong team and a 47-21 record. This team brings a complete game to the court most nights and will be tough for any of the lower-seeded teams they face throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
We Find the Phoenix Suns in Second
Last week, the Suns held the top spot and the 76ers were in second. That has changed for this week and might change again. Either way, the Suns currently have a 48-20 record and look to be one of the toughest teams coming out of the West. It will be interesting to see if this team has the strength in the playoffs to take on teams with more superstar power.
The Utah Jazz Rocket to Third
Heading up the NBA power rankings from seventh to third the Utah Jazz find themselves in this position with one of the best records in the league. They carry a 50-18 record through 21 weeks and bring a strong team to the playoffs where this team looks to make a deep run toward the championship. Will this be the team to represent the West when it’s time for the NBA Finals? We’ll have to wait and see.
Making Moves We See the Milwaukee Bucks in Fourth
With past playoff problems, we’re waiting to see if the Bucks can put it all together and end up in the NBA Finals this year. The disappointments of past years have this team hungry and in the fourth position in the NBA power rankings. This is a move upward from the sixth position last week. This team brings a 43-24 record to the final week of the season and looks to make a strong and deep run in the postseason.
Coming in the Fifth Spot, We Have the Brooklyn Nets
Much of this season has been an up and down ride for the Nets who appear to be ready to head into the playoffs at full strength for the first time this year. Although this team dropped one spot from last week, they bring a 44-24 record with them and will likely be one of the favorites to win the NBA Championship this year. Get ready to see some amazing basketball as this team hits the floor and the playoffs begin.
Falling One Spot, the Los Angeles Clippers are in Sixth
The sixth spot in the NBA power rankings belongs to the Clippers who have a 45-23 record right now. For the past few games, this team has had both of its stars on the floor and continuesto bring back players they need for a goodshowing in the playoffs. When it comes to the West, the Clippers are one of the teams that areexpected to reach the finals.
The Denver Nuggets Stumble to Seventh
In the third spot last week, the Nuggets find themselves in the seventh position this week. Their record of 44-24 is a good one but they were shorthanded last week and lost a couple of important games that would have kept them at a higher place on this list.
The Los Angeles Lakers areMaking a Move
This team still doesn’t have LeBron James and Dennis Schroder back from injury, but Anthony Davis hasbeen clinical in his approach and helped this team make a strong push last week. The Lakers rocket from 14 to 8 in the NBA power rankings with a 38-30 record. Although they will enter with a low seed in the playoffs, there’s a good chance this team will be ready to take on all opponents.
Look at the Rest of the NBA Power Rankings
9. Dallas Mavericks 40-28
10. New York Knicks 38-30
11. Portland Trail Blazers 39-29
12. Miami Heat 37-31
13. Atlanta Hawks 37-31
14. Memphis Grizzlies 34-33
15. Boston Celtics 35-33
16. Golden State Warriors 35-33
17. Washington Wizards 32-36
18. San Antonio Spurs 32-35
19. New Orleans Pelicans 31-37
20. Charlotte Hornets 33-35
21. Indiana Pacers 31-36
22. Chicago Bulls 29-39
23. Toronto Raptors 27-41
24. Minnesota Timberwolves 21-47
25. Sacramento Kings 30-38
26. Detroit Pistons 20-49
27. Orlando Magic 21-47
28. Houston Rockets 16-51
29. Cleveland Cavaliers 21-47
30. Oklahoma City Thunder 21-48
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