{"numbering":"desc","slides":[{"index":30,"title":"Houston Rockets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Christian%20Wood%20Rockets%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618840607,"caption":"

Record: 15-42 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 107.0 (27th) | D Rating: 113.2 (26th) | Net Rating: -6.3 (26th)

The quest for a top draft pick continues for a Rockets squad that is 4-19 since the All-Star break.

"},{"index":29,"title":"Oklahoma City Thunder","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Alexander_gilgeous_shai_usati_0_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618844239,"caption":"

Record: 20-37 (Last Five: 0-5)

O Rating: 103.6 (30th) | D Rating: 112.6 (22nd) | Net Rating: -9.0 (30th)

Enough with all that sneaky, over-performing nonsense. The tank is out in full force in Oklahoma City, who enter a Monday matchup with the Wizards on a 10-game losing streak. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still two weeks away from re-evaluating a foot injury. The team is 1-12 since he went down.

"},{"index":28,"title":"Minnesota Timberwolves","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Karl-Anthony%20Towns%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618841003,"caption":"

Record: 15-43 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 107.5 (26th) | D Rating: 114.9 (28th) | Net Rating: -7.5 (28th)

The Wolves are 8-18 since hiring Chris Finch, which is actually a rather significant improvement, especially considering Karl-Anthony Towns' continued development (averaging 25.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists in that span) and Anthony Edwards' tantalizing flashes. They're feisty, as the Bulls learned in a 121-117 loss on April 11.

Still, it behooves the Wolves to keep their record among the league's worst -- they owe their 2021 first-rounder to Golden State if it falls outside the top three.

"},{"index":27,"title":"Detroit Pistons","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Killian%20Hayes%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618841550,"caption":"

Record: 17-40 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 108.3 (25th) | D Rating: 112.1 (17th) | Net Rating: -3.8 (23rd)

It's development time for the Pistons, who have expanded opportunity for Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart throughout the season, and just got Killian Hayes back from an extended absence.

"},{"index":26,"title":"Orlando Magic","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Wendell%20Carter%20Magic.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618842231,"caption":"

Record: 18-39 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 105.3 (28th) | D Rating: 112.9 (24th) | Net Rating: -7.6 (29th)

With a 3-10 record since trading Nikola Vučević, the Magic are hurdling towards a high lottery pick while seeing encouraging returns from a handful of prospects, including Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony. In fact, if the season ended today, they'd be in line for two top-10 selections, along with the top-four protected first acquired from the Bulls.

"},{"index":25,"title":"Cleveland Cavaliers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Sexton_S_USATSI_15643054_0_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618842572,"caption":"

Record: 20-36 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 104.9 (29th) | D Rating: 112.1 (18th) | Net Rating: -7.2 (27th)

Their status as one of the youngest teams in the NBA -- with four current starters age 22 or younger -- is evident by the record and offensive rating. But steps forward by Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, and the acquisition of Jarrett Allen, intrigues for the future.

"},{"index":24,"title":"Sacramento Kings","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/app-210419-deaaron-fox.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618844537,"caption":"

Record: 23-34 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 113.1 (12th) | D Rating: 117.5 (30th) | Net Rating: -4.4 (25th)

The Kings snapped a nine-game losing streak with a win over the Mavericks Sunday and have fallen five games back of the last play-in spot in the West. Just three times this season have they held an opponent under 100 points.

"},{"index":23,"title":"Chicago Bulls","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Nikola%20Vucevic%20Bulls%20Grizzlies%20obs%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618844840,"caption":"

Record: 23-33 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 110.9 (17th) | D Rating: 112.5 (21st) | Net Rating: -1.6 (22nd)

The Bulls exited the trade deadline with Vučević, and an abundance of optimism, but have unraveled since. They're 4-9 and own the 25th-rated defense in the association since March 25, and are two games into an extended absence for the COVID-19 protocol-enlisted Zach LaVine.

Still, they remain in the play-in race -- one game back in the loss column of 10th-place Toronto, and tied with the Wizards (against whom they own the tiebreaker) for 11th.

"},{"index":22,"title":"Washington Wizards","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Beal-Westbrook-USATSI_15511395_2.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618845797,"caption":"

Record: 23-33 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 106.2 (26th) | D Rating: 107.2 (25th) | Net Rating: -1.0 (17th)

The Wizards have won four straight and six of their last seven, and look a threat to supplant the Bulls and Raptors for the last play-in spot. The Bradley Beal-Russell Westbrook (averaging 22.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 12.6 assists while shooting 50.4 percent in that span) partnership is coming to fruition.

"},{"index":21,"title":"Toronto Raptors","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Chris%20Boucher%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618845216,"caption":"

Record: 24-34 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 111.1 (19th) | D Rating: 108.6 (8th) | Net Rating: 2.5 (11th)

The Raptors continue to be one of the most injury- and protocol-stricken teams in the league, but enter Monday riding a three-game winning streak and have backed into play-in position. After a 31-point double-double against the Thunder that included six 3-pointers, Chis Boucher is averaging 15.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 10 games as a starter.

"},{"index":20,"title":"New Orleans Pelicans","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/app-210408-zion-williamson-point.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618846731,"caption":"

Record: 25-32 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 108.2 (24th) | D Rating: 111.8 (16th) | Net Rating: -3.6 (22nd)

Despite Zion Williamson's star rise, a season that began with high promise has been turbulent for the Pelicans. On Sunday, they found another fresh way to fall, dropping their third straight game in a thrilling national TV contest -- eventually 122-112 in overtime -- to the Knicks. They have three games to cover on the Spurs if they hope for a play-in push.

"},{"index":19,"title":"Charlotte Hornets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Hayward-G-USATODAY-15833109.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618847737,"caption":"

Record: 28-28 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 107.4 (25th) | D Rating: 110.4 (10th) | Net Rating: -2.9 (21st)

Before injuries struck, the Hornets looked well ahead of schedule in their rebuild. But with LaMelo Ball out indefinitely, and Gordon Hayward (foot sprain) scheduled to be sidelined until early May, they've slumped a bit of late, with just a 3-6 record in their last nine games.

"},{"index":18,"title":"Indiana Pacers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Caris%20LeVert%20USAT.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618847213,"caption":"

Record: 26-30 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 111.3 (18th) | D Rating: 113.1 (21st) | Net Rating: -1.9 (20th)

Before a Sunday loss at the surging Hawks, Caris LeVert had scored 24 or more points in four straight contests. It's been rocky at times, but the Pacers have secured a fairly firm grip on the ninth seed in the East, and could push the eighth-place Hornets too.

"},{"index":17,"title":"San Antonio Spurs","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/DeRozan_D_Getty_1214525932_0.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1618846236,"caption":"

Record: 27-28 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 112.8 (12th) | D Rating: 112.8 (17th) | Net Rating: 0.0 (16th)

The Spurs are 11-17 since a COVID-19 outbreak paused their season for 10 days in mid-February, when, with a 16-11 record, they were in prime playoff position. But they're still well-slotted in the play-in picture, and just Saturday notched a resounding win over the Suns.

"},{"index":16,"title":"Golden State Warriors","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Steph-Curry-USATSI-15887216_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618848183,"caption":"

Record: 28-29 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 113.7 (10th) | D Rating: 114.7 (24th) | Net Rating: -1.0 (18th)

The Warriors are surging, with a season-high four-game winning streak recently snapped in a hard-fought, 119-114 loss to the Celtics of which no reasonable person would be ashamed.

In eight games since returning full-time from a tailbone bruise (one game after losing by 53 points to the Raptors), Steph Curry is averaging 40.4 points and making 7.1 3-pointers per game, shooting 49.6 percent from behind the arc. He's made more 3s in his last eight games (57) than the Pelicans have in theirs (54).

"},{"index":15,"title":"Miami Heat","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bam%20Adebayo%20USAT.jpg","credit":"","published":1618848936,"caption":"

Record: 29-28 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 108.4 (24th) | D Rating: 109.9 (7th) | Net Rating: -1.5 (21st)

If it's not one thing it's another for this year's Heat, who endured a three-game losing streak just as it appeared they were finding sure footing. Perhaps Bam Adebayo's buzzer-beater against the Nets can be a lift for Miami, who as of this writing trail the sixth-seeded Knicks by 1.5 games.

"},{"index":14,"title":"Memphis Grizzlies","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/App-210417-Ja-Morant.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618849285,"caption":"

Record: 29-26 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 111.8 (14th) | D Rating: 110.0 (8th) | Net Rating: 1.8 (12th)

That the Grizzlies are securely in the West's top eight and still have yet to return Jaren Jackson Jr. to the court this season speaks volumes about the status of their young core. Memphis' latest exploit: A 13-point victory at the Milwaukee Bucks, who were fully-staffed.

"},{"index":13,"title":"Dallas Mavericks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/LukaDoncic_USATSI_15760271.jpg","credit":"","published":1618849686,"caption":"

Record: 30-26 (Last Five: 1-4)

O Rating: 113.5 (11th) | D Rating: 112.2 (19th) | Net Rating: 1.3 (13th)

The Mavericks have lost five of their last seven games, including a couple of clunkers, dampening a prior 7-2 stretch that placed them firmly in playoff position. The race for the West's sixth seed between Memphis, Dallas and Portland figures to be hard-fought.

"},{"index":12,"title":"Portland Trail Blazers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/app-210414-damian-lillard-4231.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618850049,"caption":"

Record: 32-24 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 115.7 (7th) | D Rating: 115.9 (29th) | Net Rating: -0.2 (15th)

Losers of six of their last nine games, the Blazers are in a bit of a funk. But they still own top-six position in the West ahead of the stretch run and a whole lot of offensive firepower.

"},{"index":11,"title":"New York Knicks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-03/app-210323-rui-hachimura-julius-randle.jpg","credit":"","published":1618851225,"caption":"

Record: 31-27 (Last Five: 5-0)

O Rating: 109.4 (22nd) | D Rating: 107.5 (3rd) | Net Rating: 1.8 (11th)

With six straight victories, the Knicks are on their longest winning streak since 2014. Leading the charge is Julius Randle, who's only gotten better since his first career All-Star berth, and has posted 30-plus-point outings in each of his last four games, including a 33-point, 10-assist, five-steal effort in an overtime win over New Orleans on Sunday.

"},{"index":10,"title":"Atlanta Hawks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/app-210405-Draymond-Green-Trae-Young.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618852517,"caption":"

Record: 31-26 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 114.2 (8th) | D Rating: 112.3 (20th) | Net Rating: 1.9 (10th)

The Hawks are 17-6 since elevating Nate McMillan to interim head coach and, with improved health and a rejuvenated Trae Young at the head, they're hardly slowing down.

"},{"index":9,"title":"Boston Celtics","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/headline/hero/Tatum_J_GettyImages-1232369021.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1618852216,"caption":"

Record: 31-26 (Last Five: 5-0)

O Rating: 113.6 (10th) | D Rating: 111.6 (15th) | Net Rating: 2.0 (9th)

Yes, the middle of the Eastern Conference is scalding at the moment, with the Celtics riding a six-game heater (they've won eight of their last nine) into Monday's bout with the Bulls. It's their best stretch of play of the season, spearheaded by Jayson Tatum, who's averaging 34.8 points and shooting 50 percent from 3-point range in his last five, a span that includes a couple signature performances.

"},{"index":8,"title":"Los Angeles Lakers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/app-210123-Anthony-Davis-Bulls.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618852735,"caption":"

Record: 35-22 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 110.0 (20th) | D Rating: 105.8 (1st) | Net Rating: 4.2 (8th)

The Lakers continue to shoulder on without their two superstars in Anthony Davis (who was recently cleared for on-court work) and LeBron James. They're 14-15 since Davis last played, and 7-8 without he or James -- solid enough water-treading to keep them in the top five in the West, and with 2.5 games separating them from sixth-place Portland. Provided both return to full-strength by the postseason, the defending champs remain the team to beat.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Denver Nuggets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/App-210419-Nikola-Jokic.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618853225,"caption":"

Record: 36-20 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 117.0 (3rd) | D Rating: 111.6 (14th) | Net Rating: 5.5 (5th)

Losing Jamal Murray for the season to a torn ACL is nothing short of devastating to a Nuggets team that looked as if it could break into the title-contention tier. MVP front-runner Nikola Jokić keeps their floor high -- as does Michael Porter Jr.'s surge -- but the ceiling now appears limited for this season.

"},{"index":6,"title":"Milwaukee Bucks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-03/app-giannis_bucks_celtics_getty.jpg","credit":"","published":1618853445,"caption":"

Record: 35-21 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 116.2 (5th) | D Rating: 109.9 (6th) | Net Rating: 6.3 (4th)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is back after a six-game injury absence that interrupted an absolutely stellar stretch. Though not as dominant in this regular season -- albeit still really, really good -- the Bucks hope they're set up for a deeper postseason run this year than in playoffs past.

"},{"index":5,"title":"Brooklyn Nets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/James-Harden-Kevin-Durant-USA-Today-Images.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618854136,"caption":"

Record: 38-19 (Last Five: 2-3)

O Rating: 117.2 (2nd) | D Rating: 113.0 (25th) | Net Rating: 4.3 (7th)

The Nets have the most talented roster in the league, and are proven to be historically prolific offensively. There's no doubting their championship-contending chops or on-court fit of their superstars. The question now becomes, with Kevin Durant sidelined again and James Harden rehabbing a hamstring injury: When will their Big Three finally enjoy an extended stretch playing together?

"},{"index":4,"title":"Los Angeles Clippers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Leonard_Kawhi_USATODAY_14128591_0_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618853627,"caption":"

Record: 40-19 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 117.4 (1st) | D Rating: 110.6 (10th) | Net Rating: 6.8 (2nd)

The Clippers are enjoying a prolific eight-game stretch in which they've won seven while averaging 119.5 points per game and shooting 45.7 percent from 3-point range. They're as formidable as any in a loaded Western Conference.

"},{"index":3,"title":"Utah Jazz","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-03/App-210305-Donovan-Mitchell-Rudy-Gobert.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618854584,"caption":"

Record: 42-15 (Last Five: 3-2)

O Rating: 116.7 (4th) | D Rating: 107.8 (4th) | Net Rating: 8.9 (1st)

The Jazz own the league's best record -- as they have the majority of the year -- but, with a number of key players in and out of the lineup have late, have sputtered by their lofty standards. They've dropped their most recent meetings with each of the teams above them in these rankings.

"},{"index":2,"title":"Phoenix Suns","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Paul_C_Booker_D_USA_15570792_0_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618853847,"caption":"

Record: 40-16 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 115.3 (7th) | D Rating: 108.6 (5th) | Net Rating: 6.7 (3rd)

Since an 8-8 start, the Suns are 32-8 in their last 40 games with a litany of signature wins under their belt -- the most recent, an overtime victory over the league-best Jazz on April 7. The Chris Paul addition was always going to push them up a level, but they've been capital 'E' elite for most of the season.

"},{"index":1,"title":"Philadelphia 76ers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/App-210419-Joel-Embiid-raised-hands.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1618854400,"caption":"

Record: 39-17 (Last Five: 4-1)

O Rating: 111.8 (15th) | D Rating: 106.6 (2nd) | Net Rating: 5.2 (6th)

Joel Embiid is back and dominant as ever; the Sixers are 6-1 in games he's played since returning from his lengthy injury absence. They've reigned over the Eastern Conference for the majority of the campaign.

"}]}

NBA Power Rankings: Bulls looking for boost down stretch