NBA Power Rankings: Celtics in the thick of crowded playoff race
We know LeBron James and many others want to banish the NBA play-in tournament for good. But the new format is resulting in some high drama down the stretch.With seven or fewer games remaining on every team's schedule, only six clubs are officially eliminated from playoff contention. The No. 4 through the No. 12 seeds in the Eastern Conference all have a chance of landing in the play-in range (seventh through 10th seeds); same goes for the No. 5 through No. 12 seeds in the Western Conference.That means we'll see a lot of meaningful basketball over the next two weeks. So, where does each team stand entering the final push? Our latest NBA Power Rankings help you make sense of the madness.
This has been a season to forget for the Celtics in many ways. And yet...
After winning three of four, Boston sits just 1.5 games out of the 4-5 matchup with six regular-season contests remaining. Jayson Tatum is playing like a man possessed, and there's a chance this team finally is at full strength if Jaylen Brown can return this weekend.
We've seen this story before: The Celtics show us signs of life only to suffer head-scratching losses to the worst teams in basketball (more on that shortly). But this roller-coaster of a season is nearing its end -- and the C's at least have a chance to finish it on the upswing.
Let's get into this week's rankings.
WATCH: Steve Kornacki breaks down playoff picture for Celtics
Last two rankings: 29, 28
The Rockets are, well, rocketing toward the NBA’s worst record, but the biggest story in Houston is Kevin Porter Jr., who became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-point double-double (50 points, 11 assists) last week against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last two rankings: 27, 29
It’s a good thing the Pistons’ first-round draft pick owed to the Rockets is top-16 protected. Detroit is now a lock to keep its 2021 first-rounder, which could wind up being the No. 1 overall selection.
Last two rankings: 30, 30
More than a quarter of the Timberwolves’ wins this season (six of 20) have come in their last 10 games, as Anthony Edwards and Co. ripped off a four-game winning streak last week that included two surprise victories over the Jazz.
Last two rankings: 26, 27
The Magic finally snapped out of their extended funk with a little help from rookie Cole Anthony, who sank the Grizzlies with an awesome game-winner on Saturday. They came back to earth Wednesday with a 36 point-loss to the Celtics, though, and are very much in the race to the NBA’s bottom.
Last two rankings: 24, 23
The Celtics seem to bring out the best in inferior opponents, and the Thunder are Exhibit A: OKC’s only win in the last calendar month was against Boston on April 27 in which the Thunder shot nearly 50% from the floor.
Last two rankings: 26, 27
Kevin Love’s ball-toss incident (and subsequent apology) was his Eric Bledsoe “I don’t wanna be here” tweet. Can’t say we blame him, as the Cavs’ losing streak is now up to eight in a row.
Last two rankings: 21, 23
Zach LaVine’s return to the lineup Thursday can’t come soon enough. The Bulls have lost five of six without their All-Star guard to tumble four games out of the No. 10 spot with seven games remaining. They’ll need a lot of help to sneak into the play-in tournament.
Last two rankings: 23, 25
The Raptors’ only win in their last five games was a road upset of the Lakers that kept some hope of a play-in round berth alive. But it sure looks like the postseason won’t include the Raptors for the first time since 2013.
Last two rankings: 22, 21
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, and with the Kings 2.5 games out of the No. 10 spot, a lottery pick is likely in their future. Haliburton still might get a few Rookie of the Year award votes, though.
Last two rankings: 20, 22
The Pelicans have won six of their last nine thanks to an improved defense and sit just 1.5 games back of the No. 10 Spurs, who have the NBA’s toughest remaining schedule. The battle for the final West play-in tournament spot could get interesting.
Last two rankings: 24, 25
Is there a more Russell Westbrook stat line than 14 points, 21 rebounds, 24 assists and six turnovers against the Pacers? Westbrook’s sensational (and erratic) play has helped the red-hot Wizards win 11 of their last 14 games to surge into the final East play-in spot.
Last two rankings: 18, 20
Nate Bjorkgren’s first season with the Pacers may be his last amid “difficulties with players and staff,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Indiana has lost four of five and will face an uphill battle in the play-in tournament.
Last two rankings: 17, 11
The Spurs are mired in a five-game losing streak that included the second-biggest blown lead in NBA history against the Celtics. Their final six opponents after a Friday matchup with the Kings? Portland, Milwaukee, Brooklyn, New York and Phoenix (twice). Gregg Popovich has his work cut out for him to keep San Antonio in play-in contention.
Last two rankings: 16, 12
LaMelo Ball is back, and so are his mind-boggling passes. If Gordon Hayward can return for the postseason, the Hornets could be handful in the play-in tournament and at least would be fun to watch in a first-round series against Brooklyn or Philadelphia.
Last two rankings: 14, 19
In the “growing pains” department, the Grizzlies are 1-5 with Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lineup since his return from injury. Wednesday's wild win over the Timberwolves should give Memphis enough cushion to stay in the play-in tournament, but there’s not much more room for error.
Last two rankings: 19, 17
Stephen Curry is on pace to become the second-oldest player in NBA history to lead the league in scoring with a career-high 31.5 points per game at age 33. You might have heard of the one guy ahead of him: Michael Jordan (34). Having the best scorer on the planet could be a play-in tournament X-factor for Golden State.
Last two rankings: 13, 18
Full health continues to elude the Celtics, and they’ll need Jaylen Brown back for two massive games against the Heat, who are deadlocked with Boston in the 6-7 spot. If Jayson Tatum keeps breaking Larry Bird’s records and Kemba Walker (32 points in Orlando on Wednesday) can play with more consistency, the C’s could make some first-round noise.
Where Celtics stand in tight East playoff race
Last two rankings: 12, 13
The Heat are getting hot at the right time, winning seven of their last 10 to vault into the No. 6 seed. If they can sneak into the 4-5 matchup – well, we saw what this team did in the NBA bubble last summer. Don’t sleep on Jimmy Butler and Co.
Last two rankings: 10, 15
The Hawks are now an incredible 23-10 under interim head coach Nate McMillan and just routed the best team in basketball (Phoenix) by 32 points. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Knicks have been just as hot. We’d love to see Trae Young take on Tom Thibodeau’s stout defense in Round 1.
Last two rankings: 11, 9
A healthy CJ McCollum has gone a long way for the Blazers. McCollum dropped 33 points on the Celtics and has helped Portland win five of its last six and move within a half game of the Lakers and Mavericks in the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds.
Last two rankings: 11, 10
The Mavs’ only losses in their last nine games were to the Kings – twice. That’s why they play the games, folks. Dallas is neck-and-neck with the Lakers as both teams try to fend off the Blazers and stay out of the play-in tournament.
Last two rankings: 15, 14
One way to prove you’re a serious threat in the East? Win 12 of your last 14 games. The Knicks boast the NBA’s best defense and a dark-horse MVP candidate in Julius Randle. They’d be heavy underdogs in the second round – but they’d also be a really tough out.
Last two rankings: 7, 8
LeBron James had no problem with the play-in tournament last season when the Lakers were the No. 1 seed. There’s only so much load management L.A. can do before it finds itself in a winner-take-all play-in game against Curry and the Warriors, and a couple more losses could make that a reality.
Last two rankings: 6, 6
The Bucks are just one game behind the No. 2 seed Nets after beating Brooklyn twice in a row. The No. 1 seed is even in play – although the top spot hasn’t been kind to Milwaukee’s playoff success in the past two seasons..
Last two rankings: 7, 8
The Nuggets are a remarkable 10-2 since Jamal Murray’s season-ending injury and also have been without Monte Morris and Will Barton for the past seven games. They can thank Nikola Jokic, who looks like a lock to win NBA MVP as he flirts with the Russell Westbrook special (averaging a triple-double over a full season).
Last two rankings: 4, 2
Head coach Steve Nash warned the Nets have a “chemistry gap” to make up with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden all missing time at various points in the season. There’s a good chance we don’t see a fully-healthy Nets squad until the postseason – and it’s no guarantee it will be smooth sailing.
Last two rankings: 3, 5
The Clippers snapped a three-game skid by squeezing out a win over the Raptors on Tuesday, but it looks like the No. 1 or No. 2 seed is out of reach … which means if the season ended today, we’d get the Battle of Los Angeles in the first round. Don’t want it. Need it.
Last two rankings: 5, 4
Philly is in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed after winning six straight. That’s good news for the Sixers, because 14 of their 21 losses have come on the road. Joel Embiid would be an MVP shoo-in if Jokic wasn’t dazzling in Denver.
Last two rankings: 1, 1
Utah is a pedestrian 10-7 over its last 17 games and lost back-to-back games to the lowly Timberwolves last week. Injuries to Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley haven’t helped the cause, but it makes you wonder how well-equipped the Jazz are for a deep playoff run.
Last two rankings: 2, 3
The Suns trail the Jazz by a game after Wednesday's loss, but it’s time for a changing of the Power Rankings guard. The Suns have a real shot to end a 10-year playoff drought by finishing with the best damn record in the NBA. Chris Paul has been nails in the clutch and should make this team a legitimate championship contender.
