NBA Top 10 Power Rankings: Feb. 17
With the All-Star break in Cleveland swiftly approaching, the playoff teams are starting to become more clear, but the seeding races are heating up.
Here’s take a look at how the teams currently stack up.
1. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have come off of their devastating loss in the NBA Finals after being up 2-0 on the Bucks with a vengeance.
They have been at the top of the league virtually all season, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
The Suns are looking to secure home-court throughout the playoffs with a strong finish, led by MVP candidates Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The red-hot Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprises in the league this season, climbing up to 3rd in the West after needing the play-in tournament to make the playoffs a year ago.
Led by 1st-time All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate Ja Morant, the Grizzlies have rattled off six straight wins.
Memphis is a young team with a lot to prove come playoff time, but they have shown no indication thus far of being afraid of the moment.
3. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry and the Warriors still hold the 2nd spot in the Western Conference after faltering a bit as of late.
The Warriors started the season off with the best record in the NBA and Curry seemed like a sure-fire MVP candidate, but their inconsistent lineup is making things tough.
Former All-Star guard Klay Thompson returned to action after a nearly two-year absence on Jan. 9 and seems to be finding his groove, posting his season-high of 33 points just this week. If fully healthy come playoff time, this experienced squad will be a tough out for anyone in the NBA.
4. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls' talent-rich lineup is finding a way to get it done so far this season.
Having acquired players like Lonzo Ball, Demar Derozan and Nikola Vucevic all in the last two years, many were questioning how they would gel on the court.
The squad anchored by 3-point snipers Zach Lavine and Coby White has proven to be a good fit, as they have won four straight games and sit tied atop the Eastern Conference.
5. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat sit atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 37-21, but they don’t have much breathing room near the top of the standings.
The Heat certainly has playoff experience, reaching the NBA Finals just two seasons ago in the bubble, but falling short of a championship.
Their new addition Kyle Lowry has a championship of his own, and the organization is hoping he is the piece that puts them over the top.
6. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are the hottest team in the NBA currently riding a nine-game win streak on the back of their All-Star starter Jayson Tatum.
His 51-point performance against the Washington Wizards back in January was one of the most impressive games all season.
The Celtics hope to end their streak of losing in the playoffs before the Finals, but it will be no easy task this season with such a log-jammed Eastern Conference.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are right in the middle of the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bucks haven’t been playing completely up to standard this season, but there is little doubt that they will be able to right the ship and compete in the playoffs with largely the same roster as last season.
8. Utah Jazz
The Jazz bring a six-game win streak into the last game before the break, where the All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and former DPOY Rudy Gobert will take the court.
The 1st seed in the Western Conference just last season fell short of the finals, losing to the Clippers in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
The Jazz will look to keep their hot streak going and gain some momentum heading into the postseason.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are one of the toughest teams to rank, due in large part to their recent blockbuster trade with the Nets.
The 76ers shipped Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and Ben Simmons to Brooklyn for former MVP James Harden.
Superstars Harden and Joel Embiid will have to mesh together well.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, and they have been turning heads all season long. Young stars Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland are making their first All-Star game appearances.
The Cavs have lost two in a row, but the young team isn’t likely to be phased.
Rookie Evan Mobley out of USC has been fantastic this season and is the front-runner for Rookie of the Year.
Jameson Kramer is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him email jek5650@psu.edu
