The first half of the season is now over, but the real fight is just beginning in the NBA. While the early months offered plenty of surprises, the post-All-Star break is when things get serious. Today, we’ll take a look at the powerhouse teams set to terrorize the league down the stretch, along with the under-the-radar squads poised to become dangerous playoff threats.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have caught fire, winning 4 of their last 5 games by an average of 15 points. Jrue Holiday has fueled that surge, playing like he’s in his prime while averaging 21.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in that span.
Once the Blazers get healthy, this team should be able to do even more damage. Deni Avdija (25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists) has taken a major leap this year, emerging as a Most Improved Player candidate and earning his first All-Star nod, while Shaedon Sharpe (21.4 points, 4.4 rebounds) remains a solid two-way guard. Donovan Clingan (11.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks), meanwhile, continues to flash star potential as one of the league’s most promising young bigs.
With legitimate contributors on both ends of the floor, including veteran Jerami Grant, young gun Toumani Camara, and the returning Scoot Henderson, this squad is capable of beating almost anyone in the NBA.
4. Charlotte Hornets
The young Hornets just pulled off the biggest turnaround of the season. After winning only 4 of their first 18 games and ranking near the bottom of the East, they’ve completely flipped the script—winning 10 of their last 11 to barge straight into play-in territory.
The team has quietly assembled one of the most lethal lineups in the league. The five-man group of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Moussa Diabate already boasts an incredible 15–1 record when starting together. But their efficiency is even more evident on the stat sheet. Per Cleaning the Glass, that lineup currently ranks as the best in the league in both net differential (+30.0) and points per possession (139.7), showing just how much the group dominates on both offense and defense.
Each of these players is also making his own mark. Rookie Kon Knueppel has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the league, and his elite shooting has already positioned him as one of the frontrunners for Rookie of the Year. Brandon Miller is steadily turning into a superstar, pairing his immense offensive upside with growth as a more complete player.
Meanwhile, the frontcourt provides balance on both ends. Miles Bridges has always been a steady offensive threat, while Moussa Diabate, on the other hand, is emerging as a legitimate defensive force. The Moose not only is a versatile defender, but also plays with an incredible amount of hustle. That effort has propelled him into 12th in total rebounds and 5th in offensive boards per game this year. LaMelo Ball, on the other hand, is finally getting healthy. The Hornets’ leader remains one of the best offensive players in the league, ranking 11th in assists and 16th in three-pointers made.
Now that the pieces are finally in place in Buzz City, this young and gritty squad is poised to snap a 10-year NBA playoff drought—and potentially much more.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have dealt with their fair share of adversity this NBA season, particularly with all their injuries. Even so, Cleveland has regrouped and rediscovered the championship-level form that has defined them in recent years. They’re now one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 12 of their last 14 games.
Donovan Mitchell continues to be their engine, and he’s doing it at a pure MVP level, averaging a career-best 29.0 points per game. He also has a true shooting percentage of nearly 62%, which is top tier for a player who takes as many shots as he does. His consistency is even more evident in other areas. He currently leads the league in fourth-quarter points and total threes, while also ranking third in both total points and 30-point games.
The best part? He no longer has to carry the load alone. Young guns Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill are both hitting their stride. Merrill has been an elite floor spacer, draining 3.5 triples per game at the league’s 8th-best percentage, while Tyson is quickly emerging as a core contributor. Jarrett Allen has also reclaimed his form, putting up 24.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game on an absurd 74.6% shooting this month.
Furthermore, Evan Mobley is expected to return after the break. While he’s an elite do-it-all player, he stands out most as the team’s defensive heartbeat. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will provide an immediate boost to the team’s interior defense and rebounding, areas where they have drifted toward the middle of the league this season.
But that’s not all. The Cavs recently shocked the league by acquiring 11-time NBA All-Star James Harden. His arrival takes this already surging squad to an entirely different level. Harden is not only a top-10 all-time scorer, but also a superb playmaking threat. This means that opposing defenses can no longer focus solely on Mitchell, giving him much more room to operate. Throughout his career, Harden has also worked exceptionally well with various frontcourt stars, so he is sure to unlock even more upside in Allen and Mobley. Furthermore, he provides veteran poise and experience to this young roster that will be essential in a playoff setting.
With the Cavs possibly finding their missing piece, they’re surely going to be a problem for the rest of the NBA.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The young Spurs are no longer just a team to watch—they are officially contenders in the NBA. Not only are they riding a 6-game winning streak into the break, but they’ve also locked down the No. 2 seed so far in a brutal Western Conference. On pace for a 50-plus-win season, the Spurs have proven their pedigree by beating many elite teams, including taking down the defending champions 3 times.
Spearheading the charge is Victor Wembanyama—the man former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins recently hailed as the new face of the NBA. It’s hard to argue; in just his third year in the league, Wemby is already delivering a historic campaign. Not only has he solidified his status as a DPOY candidate, but he’s also forced his way into the MVP conversation.
The Spurs have also done a masterful job of surrounding Wemby with high-caliber talent. First on the list is reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. With his length and athleticism, he’s a nightmare matchup on defense. At the same time, he continues to elevate every part of his game and has already emerged as a legitimate all-around threat this season. Dylan Harper, the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft , has been one of the best rookies this year and a key part of the Spurs’ bench with his shot-making and defensive upside.
The Spurs’ perimeter depth is further bolstered by Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes, both of whom remain elite floor spacers and shot-makers. Meanwhile, their bigs, Carter Bryant and Luke Kornet, have both been high-impact players, while Keldon Johnson provides stability in the second unit, ranking third in bench scoring this season. Furthermore, their other All-Star, De’Aaron Fox, has been an ideal fit. He runs their offense well while still posing as a three-level scoring threat with elite speed.
This balance has propelled the Spurs into the top 10 offensively and to third in the NBA in both defensive rating and rebounding. With all of that, they are very much primed to threaten the whole league.
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics entered this NBA season with a very different squad, losing major pieces from their title team while their superstar was sidelined by a long-term injury. Because of that, they struggled to find their footing early on, sliding toward the bottom of the standings, where many were already counting them out.
But what looked like the end of an era was merely an adjustment period, as the Celtics defied all odds and battled their way to the second seed.
The leader of the pack, Jaylen Brown, took the weight of the team on his shoulders and responded strongly, finding himself in the midst of a breakthrough year. He is putting up a career-best 29.3 points per game this season, which ranks fourth in the league.
Even with his explosive offensive game, it’s his versatility that truly sets him apart. He currently sits in the top 40 this year in both rebounds and assists, all while remaining an elite defensive force. In fact, he recently earned praise from fellow NBA superstar Nikola Jokic for his ability to play at an elite level on both sides of the ball.
But the true danger of the Boston Celtics lies in their depth. Their latest addition, Nikola Vucevic, is a perfect fit for the lineup. His ability to stretch the floor while also protecting the paint has been a key ingredient in the Celtics’ success, similar to what Al Horford has provided over the years. Not to mention, Vucevic is one of the most consistent players in the league. In fact, he ranks 10th in NBA history in double-doubles and second among active players, trailing only LeBron James.
There’s also Derrick White, who continues to be the ultimate X-factor with his all-around impact and game-winning plays. Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard is enjoying a career year, ranking in the top 30 league-wide in both assists and three-pointers. The Celtics also boast one of the league’s most promising young cores, featuring multiple players with size, defense, and three-point shooting.
The scary part? Jayson Tatum has recently returned to practice. Once this squad hits full strength, there are only a select few teams in the NBA that could even hope to keep up.
