NBA Top 10: March 31
The NBA Playoffs are coming soon, and with a little over a week left of the regular season, these are the top-10 teams this season.
1. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have secured the best record in the NBA this regular season, giving them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Despite the absence of Chris Paul, the Suns managed to go 11-4. Paul has just returned from his thumb injury and the team hopes it can get back to the NBA Finals and win this time, which is a real possibility for this well-rounded team.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The reigning champions are starting to return to the form we saw last postseason. Giannis Antetokounmpo has had an MVP-caliber season once again and has carried the team through its struggles.
With Khris Middleton now playing like his normal self, the Bucks are showing why they won the NBA Finals last year and why they can once again this year.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies sit second in the Western Conference with no room to move up. One may have thought Ja Morant’s injury would derail the team, however, the Grizzlies are 18-2 without him.
This team has demonstrated that it isn’t reliant on one star, which can be an incredibly valuable trait come playoff time.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is a far improved defensive team, now ranking seventh-best in defensive rating this season. The trade acquisition of Spencer Dinwiddie has supplied the Mavericks with another capable ball-handler alongside Luka Doncic.
Their offense is still elite, but its improved defense can help this team finally make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
5. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are right in the mix to get the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. Their strength is their defense, which allows the fewest points per game in all of the NBA this season.
The loss of Robert Williams Ⅲ for several weeks due to a meniscus tear is devastating and they’ll have to adapt on the fly for the playoffs.
6. Brooklyn Nets
Their record may not be elite, but this team is one to be feared. Kyrie Irving can now play home games, which drastically changes this team’s chances in the playoffs.
The team still has Kevin Durant, and even if Ben Simmons isn’t healthy for the playoffs, their offense is enough to carry this team a long way.
7. Miami Heat
The Heat have not been as dominant as of late, having lost four of its last five games.
The incident of Jimmy Butler and Coach Erik Spoelstra arguing during a timeout made the team’s frustrations public and the team will have to get into postseason form quickly to try and return to the NBA Finals, which the Heat did just two NBA seasons ago.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
The main issue for the 76ers is the lack of chemistry. James Harden has only played 15 games with his new teammates, which may be an issue when going against other teams that have been building chemistry for years.
Regardless of that fact, the 76ers have Harden along with Joel Embiid, and their star power will shine come playoff time.
9. Utah Jazz
Utah is once again having a great regular season. The team is currently 45-31, placing the Jazz at fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Despite their success, the team has not shown the ability to get past its postseason struggles, but it’s still a tough challenge for round one.
10. Golden State Warriors
Injuries are a problem. After the long-awaited return of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green got hurt. Once Green came back, Steph Curry then got hurt.
We’ll have to see how a completely healthy Warriors team looks, assuming Curry makes it back for the playoffs.
Christopher Reynolds is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at clr5971@psu.edu.
