The NBA season is winding down. Although we have a good idea of which teams are contenders, several others are reminding us to not count them out.
Here are the 10 best teams in the league according to Driscoll’s NBA power rankings.
NBA Stats Glossary
Offensive Rating: Points Scored Per 100 Possessions
Defensive Rating: Points Allowed Per 100 Possessions
Net Rating: Point Differential Per 100 Possessions
Simple Rating System (SRS): Combination of Strength of Schedule and Net Rating)
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10. Los Angeles Clippers (Change: -4)
This one hurts. My pick to come out of the Western Conference has been pretty average for the past few weeks. They are 5-5 in their last 10 and have lost two pretty brutal games in a row. They also had tough losses to the Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, and Hawks while being one of the worst teams in the league defensively since the break. You can never count out a healthy Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs, but they are going to have to step it up if they want to be a top-four seed in the West.
9. Orlando Magic (No Change)
It feels weird to not move a team that is 8-2 in their last 10, but I’m simply not confident enough in the Magic. I was all-in early in the preseason and was one of the only people who expected the Magic to be a top-six seed. Now, however, I am not sure I can envision them hanging with the Celtics, Bucks, Knicks, Cavaliers, or even a healthy 76ers team in a playoff series. Additionally, the Magic have been playing better with star Paolo Banchero on the bench. They are at a net rating of -0.75 with him on the court and 7.34 with him off the court. That difference will be at least slightly concerning come playoff time.
Orlando Magic F Paolo Banchero doesn’t seem worried about the recently slump: via @Magic_PR
“I wouldn’t say it’s a wake up call. I think we’re 8-3 since the break. That’s pretty good. I just think that it’s two games that we dropped and we can learn from it and get better” pic.twitter.com/CHMcCi9VkI
— Fawzan Amer (@FawzanAmer_) March 12, 2024
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (-3)
I try to keep my rankings based on a large sample size from the season. However, to leave Minnesota in the top five would be almost ignoring the fact that they just lost Karl-Anthony Towns until at least the Conference Finals. They are 3-2 in five games without Towns (wins against the Pacers, Clippers, and Jazz; losses against the Lakers and Cavs). Without him, they still have solid depth, including their backup big Naz Reid. Though the Wolves’ ceiling is much higher with Towns healthy, they can still make a run in the playoffs.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (No Change)
The Cavs have been treading on thin ice. Ever since going on a massive win streak, being second in the East, and beating the Celtics without Donovan Mitchell, they have been pretty cold. They are 4-6 in their last 10. I would say the Cavs can make it to the Conference Finals but remain a tier below the Celtics and Bucks. Cleveland is capable of giving Boston or Milwaukee a run for their money, but they need to wake up.
6. New Orleans Pelicans (+4)
The Pelicans are quietly becoming a threat to some of the top teams in the West. Since the All-Star break, they have been ninth in offense, second in defense, and second in net rating. I have mentioned the flaws of other top teams in the West, and the Pelicans have not had those problems. They can compete with any NBA team other than the Nuggets, especially if Zion Williamson stays healthy.
Zion Williamson is having a great season
The Pelicans are looking scary 👀🔥pic.twitter.com/ZWU2O6ooxb
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 17, 2024
5. New York Knicks (+3)
The Knicks are back in the top five. They are currently on a three-game winning streak and are 6-4 in their last 10. While this is nothing special, OG Anunoby is back, and he is essential to the team’s success. The Knicks are 14-2 when Anunoby plays, as well as 14-1 when both Anunoby and Jalen Brunson play. It is tough to tell how far they can make it, but Brunson has proven he can be fantastic in the playoffs and win a playoff series. Do not be surprised if you see them give the Celtics or Bucks a run for their money.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (+1)
The Thunder have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA this year. They have been towards the top of the West the entire season, and their offensive and defensive ratings have been super high. Usually, most people (myself included) wonder whether young teams can play this well in the playoffs, but it’s hard to doubt the Thunder when they have been consistently great.
Any Thunder fans tuning into OKC these playoffs for the first time since the first Thunder era are in for a shock with this new Thunder era ball movement: pic.twitter.com/CVWBelet2e
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 17, 2024
3. Milwaukee Bucks (No Change)
After being one of the biggest disappointments throughout the first half of the season, the Bucks have been one of the best teams since the break, ranking eighth in both offense and net rating. Milwaukee’s main weakness is their defense, but they have still been much better since Doc Rivers took over. Even though their consistency is a concern, it will be very hard to count out Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard come playoff time.
2. Boston Celtics (-1)
It feels weird to drop the Celtics, a top-two team in pretty much every advanced statistic, from No. 1 to No. 2, especially when they are on a five-game winning. However, after the last ranking, they suffered tough losses to the Cavs and Nuggets. They would be the overwhelming favorite in every potential playoff series except against the Bucks and Nuggets. Their main concern mirrors every other team’s: they have not figured out a way to stop Nikola Jokic. If the Celtics want to compete with Denver, they must find a way to slow down the Nuggets and their superstar.
1. Denver Nuggets (+1)
Even though the Nuggets have not been as good as the Celtics for the entire season, it is tough to rank Boston ahead of them when they have been so hot and have defeated the Celtics twice. Jokic is the best offensive player in the league and will always find the best offensive play. Come playoff time, he will remain unpredictable and unstoppable. People can talk about the Thunder, Wolves, and Clippers, but the West runs through Denver.
FTF makes their NBA Finals predictions!@Chris_Broussard: Nuggets def. Celtics@getnickwright: Bucks def. Nuggets@kevinwildes: Nuggets def. Celtics
Who do you have winning the NBA Finals? pic.twitter.com/NrSuIsjwYm
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 14, 2024
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