Mar 20, 2024, 08:00 AM ET
With lower than a month remaining within the common season, groups are starting to punch their tickets to the postseason whereas concurrently combating fatigue to organize for a possible deep playoff run.
The dominant Boston Celtics grew to become the primary workforce to clinch a playoff spot final week. Meanwhile, the race behind them within the Eastern Conference is filled with questions. The Milwaukee Bucks, led by the harmful duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, at present have the sting. And the Philadelphia 76ers, who’ve been with out reigning MVP Joel Embiid since Jan. 30, are in peril of dropping into the play-in event.
There isn’t any clear-cut favourite within the West, and seed Nos. 4 to eight are constantly shuffling, combating to remain out of the play-in. After a few losses this month, the LA Clippers’ lead for the 4-seed has shrunk to at least one sport forward of the New Orleans Pelicans. And regardless of a rocky season, the Houston Rockets are on a late-season cost, using a six-game successful streak to probably throw a wrench into the race.
With fewer than 20 video games left within the common season, it is crunch time for everybody. Let’s check out this week’s Power Rankings to see the place all 30 groups stand as we enter this stretch.
Note: Throughout the common season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from prime to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying one of the best basketball and which groups are trying most like title contenders.
Previous rankings: Post-Finals | Nov. 1 | Nov. 8 | Nov. 15 | Nov. 22 | Nov. 29 | Dec. 6 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 27 | Jan. 3 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 24 | Jan. 31 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 28 | Mar. 6 | Mar. 13
Jump to a workforce:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Boston Celtics
2023-24 file: 54-14
Previous rating: 1
Next video games: vs. MIL (Mar. 20), @ DET (Mar. 22), @ CHI (Mar. 23), @ ATL (Mar. 25)
How Sam Hauser would fare as a key reserve within the Celtics’ rotation was one among their largest questions heading into the season. He has slotted into that function seamlessly, capturing 43% on 3s whereas taking 5.5 of them per sport. On Sunday in opposition to the Wizards, Hauser hit 10 treys earlier than exiting with an ankle damage. — Bontemps
2. Denver Nuggets
2023-24 file: 48-21
The Nuggets did not have a lot time to let Kyrie Irving’s unbelievable left-handed hook shot Sunday linger. They had Tuesday evening’s showdown at Minnesota to fret about, and Denver completed a four-game street swing with one other high quality win, despite the fact that the Wolves have been short-handed. Denver has now gained 12 of 14 video games because the All-Star break, with its solely losses coming in additional time in opposition to Phoenix and on the buzzer-beater by Kyrie. The Nuggets return house to face New York earlier than hitting the street once more, to Portland, on Saturday. — Youngmisuk
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1:49
Denver Nuggets Top Plays of the Week
Denver Nuggets Top Plays of the Week
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
2023-24 file: 47-20
Previous rating: 3
Next video games: vs. UTA (Mar. 20), @ TOR (Mar. 22), @ MIL (Mar. 24), @ NO (Mar. 26)
There are indications that Gordon Hayward, who was sidelined for seven weeks on account of a calf damage earlier than making his Thunder debut, is discovering his rhythm as an Oklahoma City reserve. He is 12-of-19 from the ground, together with 5-of-8 from 3-point vary, with 17 assists prior to now six video games. That’s a drastic enchancment from Hayward’s first seven outings in a Thunder uniform when he went 7-of-28 from the ground, lacking his lone 3-point try, and registered solely seven assists. Oklahoma City has scored 125.4 factors per 100 possessions in Hayward’s minutes whereas successful 5 of the previous six video games. — MacMahon
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 file: 47-22
What an incredible few weeks for Anthony Edwards’ spotlight reel. After hitting his head on the backboard for a game-saving block earlier this month, he adopted it with top-of-the-line dunks of the season, posterizing John Collins on Monday with one other jaw-dropping leap. Edwards additionally scored 25 factors within the second half to guide the Wolves to their third win in a row. The Wolves then misplaced an vital matchup with Denver on Tuesday, dropping them one sport behind the reigning champions as the 2 attempt to hold tempo within the race for the highest seed within the West. — Collier
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Anthony Edwards’ clean strikes headline one of the best of Minnesota basketball
Anthony Edwards exhibits some top-level finesse across the hoop in one of the best performs of the week from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 file: 44-24
Previous rating: 4
Next video games: @ BOS (Mar. 20), vs. BKN (Mar. 21), vs. OKC (Mar. 24), vs. LAL (Mar. 26)
With Khris Middleton again within the lineup, the Bucks picked up back-to-back wins at house after a tricky West Coast journey, throughout which they went 1-3. The Bucks have 14 video games remaining within the common season with a pair of matchups to make use of as measuring sticks this week: on the street in opposition to the NBA-best Celtics and at house versus the West-best Thunder. — Collier
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 file: 43-25
Previous rating: 8
Next video games: vs. MIA (Mar. 20), @ MIN (Mar. 22), @ MIA (Mar. 24), vs. CHA (Mar. 25)
After being sidelined practically two weeks with a bone bruise in his left knee, Donovan Mitchell returned for simply two video games earlier than going out with an damage once more. Mitchell underwent surgical procedure on Tuesday to restore a nasal fracture, and he’s anticipated to overlook at the very least one other week, the workforce introduced. Cleveland is 10-9 with out Mitchell this season and 33-16 with him. The query now could be whether or not the Cavs, at present a sport behind Milwaukee for second place within the East, can hold tempo with two video games in opposition to Miami and a matchup with Minnesota this week. — McMenamin
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The greatest performs from the week in Cavs basketball
Donovan Mitchell stars within the prime performs of the week from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
2023-24 file: 42-26
Previous rating: 7
Next video games: @ ORL (Mar. 21), @ MIA (Mar. 22), @ DET (Mar. 24), vs. OKC (Mar. 26)
After a meniscus tear delayed his season debut till December, Trey Murphy III shot 42.3% from deep earlier than taking three video games off round New Year’s Day due to knee soreness. Over the subsequent two months, Murphy struggled, capturing 39.8% total and 32.0% from 3. This month, Murphy’s shot has come again. He is averaging 20.7 factors and capturing 47.8% from deep on 9.9 makes an attempt per sport. The Pelicans are 12-0 this season when Murphy scores at the very least 16 factors. — Lopez
8. LA Clippers
2023-24 file: 42-25
Previous rating: 5
Next video games: @ POR (Mar. 20), @ POR (Mar. 22), vs. PHI (Mar. 24), vs. IND (Mar 25)
The Clippers launched into a two-game journey in Portland this week displaying little fear about dropping 4 of their previous 5 video games. Even although Kawhi Leonard mentioned the Clippers’ lack of urgency in Sunday’s house loss to Atlanta was psychological and Paul George mentioned the Clips lacked an id, coach Ty Lue reiterated his confidence on this workforce. Terance Mann additionally mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s observe that the squad’s late-season assuredness stays excessive due to the expertise Leonard, George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have. “Playoffs is a complete completely different ballgame,” Mann mentioned. “Everybody’s nervous about what the hell is occurring in common season proper now? I imply, cool. We’re not nervous — that does not waver our confidence going into the playoffs in any respect.” — Youngmisuk
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PG-13 headlines one of the best performs of the week in Clippers basketball
Paul George shines within the prime performs of the week from the Los Angeles Clippers.
9. New York Knicks
2023-24 file: 41-27
OG Anunoby is now sidelined indefinitely with extra points in his proper elbow, however his influence on the court docket has been apparent since debuting with the Knicks in the beginning of the yr. Including the three video games he performed final week earlier than his newest elbow flare-up, New York is 15-2 when Anunoby is in uniform this season. And within the 598 minutes he has been on the court docket, the Knicks are outscoring their opponents by 24 factors per 100 possessions. — Bontemps
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The greatest performs from the week in Knicks basketball
Jalen Brunson is entrance and heart within the prime performs of the week from the New York Knicks.
10. Orlando Magic
2023-24 file: 41-28
Tuesday’s win in opposition to the Hornets marked 41 victories for the Magic, placing the franchise on monitor for simply its second successful marketing campaign since 2018-19. Coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad is nicely positioned to earn a top-six seed within the playoffs, as Orlando is 3.5 video games forward of Philadelphia within the East. ESPN Analytics provides it a 91% probability of doing so. — Lopez
11. Dallas Mavericks
2023-24 file: 40-29
Kyrie Irving’s 20-foot, buzzer-beating lefty hook to clinch Sunday’s win over the Nuggets was a continuation of the Mavericks’ clutch excellence this season — a stark distinction to their struggles in shut video games final season. The Mavs are 20-8 in video games which might be inside 5 factors within the last 5 minutes, giving them the league’s greatest successful proportion (71.4%) in such contests. In clutch conditions, Dallas ranks second in offensive ranking (128 factors per 100 possessions) and fifth in internet ranking (plus-20.3). Dallas has particularly excelled with Irving on the court docket within the clutch, outscoring opponents by 62 factors in 56 minutes. — MacMahon
12. Sacramento Kings
2023-24 file: 39-28
Previous rating: 12
Next video games: @ TOR (Mar. 20), @ WAS (Mar. 21), @ ORL (Mar. 23), vs. PHI (Mar. 25)
The Kings strung collectively big back-to-back wins in opposition to the Bucks and Lakers earlier than dropping a sport to the Knicks and beating the Grizzlies in additional time. For the Kings (sixth place within the West) to keep away from the play-in event, they should put collectively a extra cohesive defensive sport — their protection is nineteenth — and keep away from fourth-quarter scrambles, as they’re tied for tenth in clutch video games performed this season (19-14). — Andrews
13. Phoenix Suns
2023-24 file: 39-29
Previous rating: 9
Next video games: vs. PHI (Mar. 20), vs. ATL (Mar. 21), @ SA (Mar. 23), @ SA (Mar. 25)
How powerful is the West this marketing campaign? Last season, Phoenix completed eight video games above .500 and was the No. 4 seed. This season, they’re 10 video games above .500 and at present No. 8 within the convention. Kevin Durant’s mini capturing droop is one thing to watch, as he has averaged simply 12 factors on 36% capturing and 22.2% from 3 within the Suns’ previous two video games. — McMenamin
14. Indiana Pacers
2023-24 file: 38-31
Previous rating: 16
Next video games: @ DET (Mar. 20), @ GS (Mar. 22), @ LAL (Mar. 24), @ LAC (Mar. 25)
The Pacers are simply 7-6 because the All-Star break, and guard Tyrese Haliburton is mired in a capturing droop. In these 13 tilts, Haliburton has shot 20-of-94 (21.3%) from 3; and in March, he’s capturing simply 16.9% from deep. He remains to be averaging 15.8 factors and 9.8 assists because the break, however the Pacers want extra from their star as they attempt to keep out of the East’s play-in. A loss to Cleveland on Monday dropped Indiana to No. 7. — Collier
15. Miami Heat
2023-24 file: 37-31
Previous rating: 14
Next video games: @ CLE (Mar. 20), vs. NO (Mar. 22), vs. CLE (Mar. 24), vs. GS (Mar. 26)
Heat heart Bam Adebayo has made at the very least one 3-pointer in 4 consecutive video games and has gone 5-of-5 from deep in that stretch, together with a game-winning shot in opposition to the Pistons on Sunday. Prior to that, Adebayo had made simply 9 3-pointers in his first 472 profession video games. Miami’s offense wants something it will probably get to start out rolling. The Heat have scored 100 or fewer factors 16 occasions this season, fourth most within the NBA. Miami is 2-14 in these contests, together with losses to Denver and Philadelphia final week. — Lopez
16. Los Angeles Lakers
2023-24 file: 37-32
As troublesome because it was to lose Anthony Davis in a expensive defeat to the Warriors on Saturday after he was poked within the eye, it may have been a lot worse. “The corneal abrasion was really proper in the midst of my eye,” Davis defined Monday. “Anytime I seemed, it was blurry. My eye was swollen. I believed my eye was, like, [torn] open.” Davis returned to place up 22 factors on 10-for-14 capturing and 15 rebounds in Monday’s win over the Hawks, and he sounded assured the damage would not forestall him from attacking the 13 video games left within the common season. — McMenamin
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17. Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 file: 38-30
Previous rating: 17
Next video games: @ PHX (Mar. 20), @ LAL (Mar. 22), @ LAC (Mar. 24), @ SAC (Mar. 25)
Kyle Lowry has stepped into the lineup for his hometown workforce after arriving final month as a buyout signing and is averaging 8.6 factors and 4.8 assists whereas capturing 37.5% from 3. But despite the fact that Lowry has moved into the beginning lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia’s backcourt, the 76ers are nonetheless lacking, as Lowry put it, a “7-foot-2 man” — referring to reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who continues to get well from meniscus surgical procedure. — Bontemps
18. Golden State Warriors
2023-24 file: 35-32
Previous rating: 18
Next video games: vs. MEM (Mar. 20), vs. IND (Mar. 22), @ MIN (Mar. 24), @ MIA (Mar. 26)
The Warriors have the simplest remaining schedule amongst Western Conference groups within the play-in race. Still, they’re nearly a lock for the 9- or 10-seed, as they do not maintain tiebreakers over the Kings, Suns or Mavericks, who’re all forward of Golden State within the standings. The Dubs’ win over the Lakers provides them a possibility to safe house court docket for the primary play-in sport. But it could be advantageous to go on the street; the Warriors have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games inside Chase Center. — Andrews
19. Chicago Bulls
2023-24 file: 34-35
The Bulls are one win from reaching .500 for the primary time since Oct. 30. They have been at that mark twice this season (1-1 and 2-2), however they have not spent a day over it. An enormous cause for Chicago’s resurgence has been DeMar DeRozan’s continued fourth-quarter excellence. He has scored 166 clutch factors, simply shy of Stephen Curry’s league-leading 167 coming into Wednesday, and DeRozan ranks second behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in fourth-quarter scoring. — Collier
20. Houston Rockets
2023-24 file: 33-35
The Rockets are 8-1 in March to reignite their hopes of qualifying for the play-in. Jalen Green, the 2021 No. 2 choose who might be eligible for an extension of his rookie contract this summer time, has been enjoying one of the best ball of his profession. Green, the West’s reigning participant of the week, averaged 26.6 factors and 6.1 rebounds per sport. — MacMahon
21. Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 file: 30-38
Atlanta has an opportunity to steal yet one more victory — on the Suns on Thursday — to spherical out their five-game journey. They’ve dropped three of 4 on this West Coast tour, with the triumph coming in opposition to the Clippers. Thanks to the Nets’ four-game dropping streak, Atlanta seems to have a maintain on the No. 10 spot within the play-in race. The Hawks have gone 6-6 with out Trae Young (finger surgical procedure) and have stayed aggressive because of Dejounte Murray, who has averaged 25.0 factors, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds over his previous dozen video games. — Lopez
22. Utah Jazz
2023-24 file: 29-39
Previous rating: 23
Next video games: @ OKC (Mar. 20), @ DAL (Mar. 21), @ HOU (Mar. 23), vs. DAL (Mar. 25)
Rookie guard Keyonte George’s improvement could be the Jazz’s prime precedence down the stretch. “Keyonte has the chance to be an actual star on this league,” coach Will Hardy mentioned lately. George, the No. 17 choose who has transitioned to level guard after enjoying primarily off the ball in highschool and faculty, has averaged 22.6 factors on .469/.400/.885 capturing splits and 5.4 assists over the previous 5 video games. — MacMahon
23. Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 file: 26-43
Going from Jacque Vaughn to Kevin Ollie on the sideline has carried out little to reverse the downturn for the Nets ever because the notorious tanking sport in opposition to the Bucks on Dec. 27. Since then, Brooklyn is 11-28 — and 5-10 below Ollie after dropping to New Orleans on Tuesday evening. The Nets have fallen utterly out of the play-in race within the East, sitting 4 video games behind a Trae Young-less Hawks. — Bontemps
24. Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 file: 23-46
Considering how injury-ravaged the Grizzlies are, no person would have blinked if Desmond Bane sat out the remainder of the season after recovering from a sprained ankle that sidelined him for 2 months. Bane, nonetheless, was decided to return and did so this week in a loss in opposition to the Thunder on Saturday. “I’m right here for my workforce. Regardless, I’m right here,” Bane mentioned after he had 22 factors and 7 assists in his first sport again. He adopted that with 24 factors and 4 assists in Monday’s additional time loss to the Kings. — MacMahon
25. Toronto Raptors
2023-24 file: 23-45
Previous rating: 24
Next video games: vs. SAC (Mar. 20), vs. OKC (Mar. 22), @ WAS (Mar. 23), vs. BKN (Mar. 25)
After a sluggish begin, Raptors rookie Gradey Dick has made important strides because the All-Star break. His minutes per sport have practically doubled, from 15.3 to 26.6, and he has elevated his subject objective proportion (40.3 to 44.4) and 3-point proportion (35.7 to 37.5) on the similar time. In what’s been a troublesome season for Toronto, together with Scottie Barnes lacking the remainder of the season after present process surgical procedure, Dick’s regular progress has been a latest spotlight. — Bontemps
26. Portland Trail Blazers
2023-24 file: 19-49
Previous rating: 26
Next video games: vs. LAC (Mar. 20), vs. LAC (Mar. 22), vs. DEN (Mar. 23), @ HOU (Mar. 25)
Perhaps essentially the most disappointing a part of the Trail Blazers’ season has been how Scoot Henderson has struggled to regulate. After lacking 10 of Portland’s previous 12 video games, Henderson has remained inconsistent from the perimeter, capturing 18.2% from past the arc. On the flip facet, the addition of Deandre Ayton has been a small enhance for Portland’s offense, because the sixth-year heart is having his greatest month since becoming a member of the Trail Blazers, averaging 26.8 factors per sport capturing 63.5% in March. — Andrews
27. Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 file: 17-52
With LaMelo Ball on the sideline, Vasilije Micic is making essentially the most out of his alternative with the Hornets. After enjoying in simply 30 video games with Oklahoma City earlier this season, Micic was traded to Charlotte as a part of a multiteam deal in February. He began his ninth consecutive sport and entered Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Magic averaging 15.6 factors, 5.8 assists and 49.5% capturing in March. — Youngmisuk
Wednesday
Bucks at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
Grizzlies at Warriors, 10 p.m.
March 27
Clippers at 76ers, 7:30 p.m.
Suns at Nuggets, 10 p.m.
All occasions Eastern
28. San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 file: 15-54
Victor Wembanyama is the thirteenth rookie to have 200 blocks in a season (since blocks grew to become an official stat in 1973-74). With 207, he has the second most for a rookie in Spurs historical past, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 206 in 1997-98. David Robinson holds the file with 319 in 1989-90. In Sunday’s efficiency in opposition to the Nets, Wembanyama put up 33 factors, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and seven blocks. It was his fifth sport this season with at the very least 25 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. All different rookies previous to Wembanyama completed that simply six occasions. — Lopez
29. Detroit Pistons
2023-24 file: 12-56
Previous rating: 29
Next video games: vs. IND (Mar. 20), vs. BOS (Mar. 22), vs. NO (Mar. 24), @ NY (Mar. 25)
The Pistons have dropped three in a row as they attempt to maintain off Washington within the race to keep away from the worst file within the NBA. Detroit is about to enter a stretch of 5 straight video games in opposition to postseason-bound groups, internet hosting the Pacers, Celtics and Pelicans this week. The workforce has additionally been sitting Cade Cunningham to keep away from him enjoying in each video games of a back-to-back. — Collier
30. Washington Wizards
2023-24 file: 11-58
Not many knew what to anticipate this season when Washington drafted 19-year-old Bilal Coulibaly with the seventh choose final summer time. The 6-foot-8 French swingman has proven that he is not only a long-term challenge. While he posted 10 video games this season of two or extra blocks and had seven video games with three or extra blocks, Coulibaly additionally displayed some flashes of offensive potential. Three occasions this season he made 4 3-pointers in a sport and had scored in double figures in 5 straight video games earlier than a season-ending proper wrist fracture on Monday. The rookie, who will not want surgical procedure, finishes the season averaging 8.4 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 34.6% capturing from 3. He is a strong choose to this point for Washington’s new regime led by Michael Winger and Will Dawkins. — Youngmisuk