The playoffs are just around the corner. So, with the real season set to begin, we will change our weekly power rankings a bit. From now on and moving forward, we will list teams according to tiers. Tier 1 teams are those likely to finish in the top six of each conference and get into the playoffs outright. Tier 2 teams are those potentially headed into the play-ins. Finally, Tier 3 teams are those bound for the lottery.
(Note: Standings are up to March 31 only.)
Tier 1: Hello, Playoffs!
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics (55-19)
Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15)
Indiana Pacers (43-31)
New York Knicks (47-27)
Detroit Pistons (42-33)
The Celtics and Cavs have been the two best teams in the East—and, really, in the NBA—this season and will wind up with the top two seeds. New York, despite its recent struggles without Jalen Brunson, looks safe and may very well end up at three, barring a major collapse. The Pacers keep finding ways to win and are a sure bet to make it outright to the playoffs. Detroit’s post-All-Star break winning run has them battling with Indiana for the fourth seed and homecourt advantage in the first round.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (62-12)
Houston Rockets (49-26)
Denver Nuggets (47-28)
Los Angeles Lakers (45-29)
Golden State Warriors (43-31)
OKC is the best team in the NBA right now and is rolling into the playoffs as the West’s one-seed. But seeds 2 thru 5 are up for grabs, with the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, and Warriors seemingly with the inside track. Seedings aside, these same four teams are likely making the playoffs outright, with the Rockets and Nuggets banking on a core that has been good all season and the Lakers and Warriors electrified by the additions of Luka Doncic and Jimmy Butler, respectively.
Tier 2: Searching for the Backdoor
Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks (40-34)
Orlando Magic (36-39)
Chicago Bulls (33-41)
Atlanta Hawks (36-38)
Miami Heat (33-41)
That the Bucks and Magic seem headed to the play-ins speaks to the ebbs and flows of a typical NBA season. After a slow start, Milwaukee looked like a lock to be in the East’s top six. Now, with Damian Lillard injured, the 2021 champs are in a slump and might fall all the way to the play-in. Orlando started off strong, but injuries have derailed their once-promising season. The rest have been fighting all season long, though the Hawks appear to have the inside track.
Western Conference
Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32)
Los Angeles Clippers (42-32)
Memphis Grizzlies (44-30)
Sacramento Kings (36-38)
Dallas Mavericks (37-38)
The Wolves and Clippers have alternated between streaks of superb play and weeks of inconsistency—and that’s a recipe to be in the play-in in the stacked West. Memphis, meanwhile, is struggling at the worst possible time, and the firing of Taylor Jenkins might unsettle an already fragile team. Sacramento has overcome a terrible start to potentially backdoor its way into the playoffs, while Dallas looks to be gearing up for one final push.
Tier 3: Hello, Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey!
Eastern Conference
Toronto Raptors (28-47)
Brooklyn Nets (24-51)
Philadelphia 76ers (23-52)
Washington Wizards (16-58)
Charlotte Hornets (18-56)
Not a lot was expected anyway from the Raptors, Nets, Wizards, and Hornets. If anything, Toronto and Brooklyn have overachieved, notching 28 and 24 wins, respectively. Washington and Charlotte have played true to form—downright bad and borderline unwatchable. The Sixers, on the other hand, are a different case. Much was expected of this team, especially with Paul George brought in to form a 1-2 punch with Joel Embiid. Unfortunately, injuries have torpedoed Philly’s season.
Western Conference
Phoenix Suns (35-40)
Portland Trail Blazers (32-43)
San Antonio Spurs (31-43)
Utah Jazz (16-59)
New Orleans Pelicans (21-54)
Phoenix was supposed to be battling for one of the top seeds in the West, but it’s safe to say the Big 3 experiment with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal hasn’t worked out quite well. The Spurs were supposed to ascend to at least play-in territory, but between Gregg Popovich getting ill and Victor Wembanyama getting injured, they’ve had some bad luck. The Pelicans looked like they had some talent, but injuries derailed them, too. Utah is right where it was projected to be at the start.
