NBA Power Rankings: Week 24

Not too much shuffling in this week’s Power Rankings. There will be one final Power Rankings at the end of the season, and then a NBA playoff preview before the playoffs. The Heat continue at #1, and the Bobcats at #30. The Knicks vaulted into the top-5 with a 3 spot jump. No team took a significant fall.

 

Power Rankings Week 24:

(W-L Season) followed by (W-L From previous week)

Ranking from previous week in parentheses. 

1 (1). Miami Heat (60-16) (3-1) – Have the opportunity to rest key players before playoffs.

2 (3). Oklahoma City Thunder (56-21) (2-1) – Have the opportunity to grab the #1 seed.

3 (2). San Antonio Spurs (57-20) (2-3) – Banged up and Ginobli out for some of the playoffs.

4 (4).  Denver Nuggets (53-24) (3-0) – Gallo out for the year is a tough one, but Chandler/Brewer can step up in his absence.

5 (8). New York Knicks (50-26) (4-0) – Playing at their highest level of the year now. Need to keep it up if they have any shot at the Heat.

6 (5). Memphis Grizzlies (52-24) (3-0) – Can the Grizz steal the #3 spot in the West.

7 (6). Los Angeles Clippers (51-26) (2-1) – Congrats on sweeping the Lakers on the season.

8 (7). Indiana Pacers (48-29) (1-2) – Probably preferred the #2 seed, but the #3 seed not so bad.

9 (9). Houston Rockets (43-34) (3-1) – Do they prefer Spurs/OKC, or Nuggets/Grizzles?

10 (10). Golden State Warriors (44-33) (2-1) – See Houston Rockets.

11 (11). Brooklyn Nets (44-32) (2-1) – Definitely don’t want the #4 seed in the East.

12 (12). Chicago Bulls (42-34) (3-2) – See Brooklyn Nets.

13 (13). Atlanta Hawks (42-36) (1-3) – See Brooklyn Nets.

14 (16). Utah Jazz (41-37) (3-1) – Own the tiebreaker with the Lakers.

15 (14). Los Angeles Lakers (40-37) (2-1) – In serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs.

16 (15). Boston Celtics (40-37) (2-3) – Should probably rest KG for next few games. Will be tough opponent in playoffs.

17 (17). Dallas Mavericks  (38-39) (2-2) – Even if they don’t make the playoffs, I’m sure they want the beards off. 

18 (18). Milwaukee Bucks (37-39) (2-2) – I’d love for them to finish under .500 and still make the playoffs.

19 (19). Portland Trail Blazers  (33-44) (0-4) – 8 games losing streak has put them back into the lottery.

20 (20). Philadelphia 76′ers (31-45) (1-2)  – Imagine Igoudala, with Vucevic, and Harkless instead of Bynum.

21 (21). Washington Wizards (29-48) (3-2) – Wall has been playing outstanding as of late.

22 (22). Toronto Raptors (29-48) (2-3) – Last several games will all be about lottery seeding.

23 (23). Minnesota Timberwolves (29-47) (3-1) – See Toronto Raptors.

24 (24). Sacramento Kings (27-50) (0-3) – See Toronto Raptors.

25 (25). New Orleans Hornets (27-50) (2-2) – See Toronto Raptors.

26 (26). Detroit Pistons (26-52) (2-3) – See Toronto Raptors.

27 (27). Cleveland Cavaliers (24-52) (2-3) – See Toronto Raptors. 

28 (28). Phoenix Suns (23-54) (0-3) – See Toronto Raptors.

29 (29). Orlando Magic (19-59) (0-4) – Good time to go on losing streak. Close to the #1 pick.

30 (30). Charlotte Bobcats (18-59) (1-3) – Should probably tank (if they haven’t been already) for the rest of the year

 

What do you guys think of these rankings? Someone too high? Too low? Leave a comment or tweet me @YoniPollak.