NBA Power Rankings: Week 22
Welcome back to the power rankings, Bam Adabeyo scored 83 points and it has been a topic of conversation around the sports world for good and bad. Enjoy the power rankings.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last: #1
OKC is back in my top spot this week. They are 11-1 since the all-star break and are still the number 1 defensive team in the NBA. They should be the favorite in the West.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Last: #1
San Antonio is a force to be reckoned with, they did blow a 20 point lead to Denver but that are 17-1 in the last 18 games that Wemby has played. Seven of their next ten are on the road.
3. Detroit Pistons
Last: #3
The Pistons took care of business against some bottom tier teams, but they need to focus on holding onto the number 1 seed. Detroit is a great defensive team and getting Ausar Thompson back will help.
4. Boston Celtics
Last: #4
Boston lost against some great competition this week, but they are holding onto the 2nd seed for now. The more minutes Jayson Tatum plays the more comfortable he will feel.
5. New York Knicks
Last: #7
The Knicks are just 1.5 back from the Celtics for the 2 seed in the East. Would they rather go to Boston or host if they play the Celtics? A top 3 offense and a top 6 defense has Knicks fans waiting for a championship run.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
Last: #10
The Lakers are playing their best basketball of the year. Luka and Austin Reaves are taking control of the offense, and LeBron is playing defense and diving for loose balls. Eight wins in their last nine and the defense is finally playing well. I am starting to get hope.
7. Denver Nuggets
Last: #8
The Nuggets are not the best at closing out games. They blew leads to both OKC and Lakers this week and will need to figure that out in the playoffs. They aren’t going to blow out teams in the playoffs.
8. Houston Rockets
Last: #9
The Rockets have just been kind of hanging around in orbit, pun definitely intended. They have been flip flopping wins and losses for the last few weeks. But Houston fans will want to come into the playoffs playing with more fire power.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last: #6
Cleveland is slipping a bit, losing six of their last eleven and are in danger of losing home court advantage in the first round. Injuries are still an issue and the entire team can’t be healthy at the same time it seems.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last: #7
Similar to the Cavs, the Wolves have been struggling. Yes, they beat Golden State who are super hurt, but they had lost 4 in a row before that. But since the all-star break Minnesota has been one of the teams with the biggest drop off statistically.
11. Orlando Magic
Last: #13
The Magic finally dropped a game, but they are 7-3 in their last 10 and are finally fighting for a top 6 spot in the East. Orlando will need to be fighting down the stretch into the playoffs which might be a good thing.
12. Toronto Raptors
Last: #12
The Raptors had slipped out of the top 6 last week for the first time in a while and they will be battling with the Heat, Magic and Hawks to remain in that top 6 spot. A huge win over the Pistons helps, but Toronto is in a battle.
13. Phoenix Suns
Last: #11
Devin Booker and Jalen Green have been playing well together and they have officially clinched a post season spot, they still have an outside chance at the top 6, but will need to play some more consistent defense.
14. Miami Heat
Last: #14
Bam Adabayeo scored 83 points, with 40+ of those points coming from free throws and some of the most insane stat padding games of all time. I am not a fan of it, especially because Kobe is my guy, but hey 83 points is 83 points. Miami is a play-in team.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
Last: #NR
The Clippers have honestly had a fantastic turn around from the start of their season. They were dead in the water, like dead stinky fish. But have climbed back to .500 and will make the play in the tournament. I am not sure they go much further than the 1st round, but what a turn around.