NBA Top-10 Power Rankings: Mar. 23

Story posted March 23, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Patrick Lepre

As the playoffs are quickly approaching, here are the top 10 teams right now trying to carry their momentum into the postseason.

1. Phoenix Suns

Currently sitting at 58-14 the Suns have pretty much wrapped up the first seed in the western conference.

Even after Chris Paul got hurt right before the all-star weekend, the Suns managed to hold it together due to Devin Booker and other players stepping up in the Sun's system.

It's a scary sight for the rest of the league seeing the Suns get banged up and continue to roll.

2. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are the current first seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat are one of the more complete teams in the entire league and have shown that this season despite multiple injuries.

They are one of the clear favorites in the East heading into the postseason.

3. Boston Celtics

In a complete turn around the Celtics have revived their season the past few weeks.

The Celtics are currently 9-1 in their last 10 games which has them at 45-28 on the season.

This Celtics team has been driven on defense, which sees them the 2nd best defensive rating in the league behind the Golden State Warriors at 106.5 and has ultimately been the reason they have been hot as of late.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee is 8-2 in their last 10 which is how they want to be playing if they want to take over the first seed in the East.

The Bucks are 45-27 up to this point. Having Brook Lopez back also definitely helps their case as they try to make a push here at the end of the regular season.

When their big 3 all play they are 32-9 this season. Safe to say when healthy the Bucks are a force to be reckoned with.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

One of the surprises of the year was how good the Grizzlies started the season but, unlike the Bulls and Cavaliers, have kept it together.

The Grizzlies currently hold the 2nd seed in the Western Conference and are 49-23. Ja Morant is the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award this season.

However, this success isn’t all due to Morant as they are 14-2 without him this season. This team has depth and would be scary against anyone in a 7 games series come playoff time.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers pushed all their chips into getting James Harden this season to be true contenders.

Although Harden has had a hiccup the last few games they are still 44-27 and sit 3rd in the East.

Embiid is still playing at MVP level which has carried this 76ers team through moments of the season.

7. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are 44-28 being led obviously by Luka Doncic.

This could be the year Luka finally gets out of the first round if they are healthy entering a playoff series. Their starting lineup when healthy has scored the most points per 100 possessions.

Don’t be surprised if this Mavericks team is a contender come playoff time.

8. Golden State Warriors

Golden State is 47-25 but now has lost Steph Curry for the rest of the regular season and possibly some playoff time.

The Warriors are 6-12 in their last 18 games.

Between Wiggins' drop-off from All-Star weekend and Klay still not hitting his form pre-injury, it might be getting close to sounding the alarms for the Warriors.

9. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are 43-30 and are fighting to stay the six seed to avoid the play-in tournament.

Nikola Jokic has his fingerprints over almost all the Nuggets wins this season with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. still injured.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are battling the Nuggets for the sixth seed currently with a record of 42-31.

The Timberwolves are 8-2 in their last 10, which has come at the perfect time for their playoff push led by Karl Anthony Towns here at the end of the regular season.

Patrick Lepre is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email pjl5466@psu.edu.