NBA Top-10 Power Rankings: April 7
With the NBA playoffs just a few weeks away, here are the top 10 teams in the league currently.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been the definition of consistent all season, regardless of who was in and out of the lineup.
They also just hit their franchise record in regular-season wins with 63. They look like title favorites barring any injuries.
Memphis Grizzlies
Despite not having Ja Morant for the majority of the end of the season, the Grizzlies have kept up with the rest of the league. Other players are stepping up, which will be huge come playoff time when someone has to take a shot that isn't Morant or Desmond Bane.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks finally are completely healthy with Brook Lopez coming back. Giannis Antetokounmpo is also playing at an MVP level as usual. At their best, the Bucks still look like the team to beat in the east when it comes to meaningful games.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have had one of, if not the best, turnarounds this season. They are 26-6 since Jan. 22.
Despite lacking household names outside of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart, this team grinds each game out on the offensive and defensive end and looks poised to have a run in the playoffs currently.
Miami Heat
The Heat are close to locking the first seed in the east. Despite having multiple players out all year, they have still held it together this season.
This team is definitely one of the deepest in the league, and after last season’s collapse in the playoffs, the Heat look like they want another shot at a title run.
Dallas Mavericks
Like the Suns and Grizzlies, the Mavericks were at the bottom of the West a few years ago. However, they now sit in the top four of the west and a game outside of the three seed.
This team is undeniably led by the insane play of Luka Doncic. Fans have seen Doncic go toe to toe with the Clippers in the last two playoff series, but now he actually had a formidable squad around him. The Mavericks could be a dark horse in the west.
Golden State Warriors
Losing Steph Curry for the rest of the regular season has knocked some wind out of the Warriors' sails. However, like the Morant injury for the Grizzlies, this gives other players opportunities to step up.
One player who has flourished in Curry’s absence has been Jordan Poole. He is averaging 28.4 PPG in his last five games on 43.6% from the field. If Poole continues this play into the playoffs it could be huge to replicate some of Curry’s magic in a playoff series if the injury keeps him out.
Brooklyn Nets
With Kyrie Irving finally able to play in home games, the Nets should be no joke for anyone if they make it out of the play-in. They’re not the average team with Irving and Kevin Durant leading the way.
They’re a buzzsaw when it comes to offense but on defense, they do have a drop off. They solely have to rely on outscoring everyone they face.
It’s entirely possible they can but doing it four out of seven games in a series is a lot to ask when measuring them up to the rest of the competition.
Philadelphia 76ers
For the whole season, Joel Embiid has been unstoppable. James Harden on the other hand is starting to struggle at the worst time. Playing at their peak the Sixers are a great team but it’s just if they will when it matters most.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are an under-the-radar team heading into the postseason. If they manage to get out of the play-in games they can definitely give the top seeds a run for their money.
The trio of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell are definitely good enough to win a playoff series if things go their way.
Patrick Lepre is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email pjl5466@psu.edu.
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Patrick Lepre
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