Playoff Power Rankings

Starting this week, we will be ranking the 16 playoff teams every week until the postseason! The Jazz and Nuggets remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they will not appear in these rankings until they occupy one of the eight playoff spots out west.

Here are the first rankings..

No. 16: San Antonio Spurs (37-29)

This may come as a shock to some people, but, the Spurs have been BAD lately. They’ve lost eight of ten and are plummeting in the Western Conference standings to the point of only being one game ahead of Utah (9th) and Denver (10th). With their remaining schedule heavily against teams over .500, it will be tough for them to clinch a playoff spot, even with Kawhi Leonard due back this week.

No. 15: Milwaukee Bucks (35-31)

Prior to their recent win over the Knicks, the Bucks had dropped six of seven, and could have easily lost the seventh had it not been for Philly blowing two 20-point leads. Fortunately for the Bucks, their schedule eases up a lot this week (at Memphis, at Orlando, vs. Atlanta), and they don’t have anyone chasing them down for the 8th spot in the playoffs with Detroit (30-36) five games out.

No. 14: Cleveland Cavaliers (38-28)

Suffering back-to-back losses at the Staples Center, both by 14 points, the Cavs are now just 4-6 in their last 10, and have vacated the third seed to Indiana out East. This may come as a shock to some people, but the Cavs have serious issues, especially defensively, that have cost them games pre and post the Isaiah Thomas trade. Cleveland has a three game roadstand this week which includes a stop in Portland, so we’ll see if they can get back on track.

No. 13: Washington Wizards (38-29)

The Wizards have been average as of late, going 5-5 in their last 10. They are right in the middle of the Eastern conference playoff race, and cannot wait for John Wall to return from injury. Washington’s next five games (vs. Minnesota, at Boston, vs. Indiana, at San Antonio, vs. Denver) are all against +.500 teams, which will be pivotal in their quest for the 3rd seed out East.

No. 12: Miami Heat (36-31)

After a rough stretch a few weeks ago that put them just one game above .500, the Heat are starting to find some rhythm. With back-to-back home wins over Philly and Washington, Miami has surpassed Milwaukee for 7th in the East, and, oddly remains in the hunt for the 3rd seed. They have their west coast road trip this week, making stops in Portland, Sacramento and LA.

No. 11: Philadelphia 76ers (36-29)

A 2-2 road trip last week keeps them seven game over .500 and within striking distance of the three spot. With one of the league’s easiest schedules remaining (a lot being at home as well), the Sixers could easily soar up well into the top 10 and maybe even the top five of these rankings come playoff time.

No. 10: Minnesota Timberwolves (39-29)

The Timberwolves held off a late Golden State rally Sunday afternoon to snap a three-game losing streak. They, like many others out West, are no where near being locks for the postseason, which is why they are fairly low in the rankings despite Sunday’s win. This week (at Washington, at San Antonio, vs. Houston, vs. LA Clippers) could decide their fate this season if they don’t go 2-2.

No. 9: Los Angeles Clippers (36-29)

Despite having three fewer wins than the Timberwolves, the Clippers edge them out for 9th simply because of their recent play. The Clippers are making a statement, going 7-3 in their last 10 which included a 116-102 win over Cleveland. The question is, can they hold off Utah and Denver? (Both 37-30).

No. 8: Oklahoma City Thunder (39-29)

OKC is also 7-3 in their last 10, but they have also been quite consistent even since the all star break. They have found their next Andre Roberson in Corey Brewer, and have a favorable schedule moving forward. The Thunder, similar to the Sixers, could find themselves in the top five by the end of the season should they play their cards right.

No. 7: Indiana Pacers (39-28)

The Pacers have finally overtaken the Cavs for third, winning two straight and seven of their last ten. With starting point guard Darren Collison finally back in the fold, the Pacers are now at full strength, making the case for one of the league’s biggest dark horses come playoff time.

No. 6: New Orleans Pelicans (38-28)

If it wasn’t for an injury to Anthony Davis, the Pelicans could still be on the league’s longest winning streak. They have lost two straight since winning ten in a row, but have found something they didn’t have with a healthy DeMarcus Cousins. 

No. 5: Boston Celtics (46-21)

The Celtics are fifth this week, simply because the four teams ahead of them have been virtually untouchable. Boston learned today that backup center Daniel Theis will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn meniscus, and role player Marcus Smart will also miss some time due to a tendon issue in his thumb. Boston’s 22-4 hot start appears to have surfaced, and if they want to have a shot at a deep playoff run, they will need to find new guys to step into the voids left by Theis and Smart.

No. 4: Portland Trail Blazers (40-26)

Who saw this coming? I sure didn’t. The Blazers have sported a remarkable run lately, winning their last nine games. They have taken advantage of the subpar play of their competitors (a la San Antonio and Minnesota), and Damian Lillard is making a case to be in the MVP discussion.

No. 3: Golden State Warriors (51-16)

The ankle injury to Steph Curry is likely the reason for back-to-back losses. The Warriors don’t have a lot of time to waste if they hope to take the one seed away from Houston. But right now, it’s looking like the Warriors won’t have homecourt advantage should they meet Houston in the Western Conference Finals.

No. 2: Toronto Raptors (49-17)

The Raptors have been absolutely sensational this year, going 14-1 in their last 15. Their only loss? To the Bucks in OT. This recent streak puts them near Golden State record wise, and Toronto could potentially be brewing something special in the spring months.

No. 1: Houston Rockets (52-14)

This is probably no question to anyone. The Rockets are having a RIDICULOUS season that only continues to be confirmed on a daily basis. Their 17-game win streak was recently stopped by Toronto, but that didn’t phase them, as they blew out Dallas 105-82 sans James Harden last night. As mentioned above, the injury to Steph Curry allows the Rockets to potentially have full control of the top seed in the Western Conference.