NBA Playoffs Power Rankings – 16 teams are left
By Brian Boake
Here’s my mashup of NBA Power Rankings and Playoff forecast for Round One.
I mentioned I was planning to run a modified version of the Power Rankings – and here it is. I’ve listed the eight teams I believe will survive the first round of the NBA Playoffs, in the order of their strength. Then I’ve got another slide with the teams who will be gone, also from best to worst.
In other words, here’s my combination of Power Rankings and playoff forecast for the first round. I have a few upsets in mind. So many strong teams have been weakened by injuries to top players, which may lead to some surprising upsets.
More and more players are wearing armoured gear which provides padding for knees and elbows, a trend destined to continue. Will pro hoopsters be wearing leather helmets next, in the manner of football players a century ago? I won’t be surprised.
Let’s go.
Note: “Last week” refers to each team’s chunk of games since my last Power Rankings.
team. 169. Is there any reason to downgrade the NBA’s best offensive team with, not coincidentally, the best overall record? They are facing an exhausted T’Wolves squad which needed OT in Game 82 to duck into the post-season. Houston smoked Minny all 4 times they met. Chris Paul and James Harden have something to prove, and they will. <p>Games Needed: 5</p>. 60-14. Previous: 1st. Houston rockets. 1
Philadelphia 76ers. 2. team. 93. This nicely balanced mix of gifted youngsters and useful veterans enters the playoffs on a 16-game win streak. Philly needs Joel Embiid back healthy from his nasty face injury, but he’s been out a lot of games, and they keep winning. They face Miami, who can match the 76ers in toughness, but not in talent. Philly’s distance shooting will be the difference. <p>Games needed: 6</p>. 52-30. Previous: 3rd
156. If any team has a playoff switch, it’s Cleveland. More correctly, any team LeBron James is on has that switch, and he will drag his mates with him. The Cavs are nicked up still, but have enough depth to get by. Cleveland lost 3 of 4 to Indiana, but those losses were before the Cavs’ monster roster shakeup. The Raptors recently proved you can handle Indy if you bottle up Victor Oladipo, and that’s precisely what the Cavs will do. <p>Games needed: 5</p>. 50-32. Previous: 4th. Cleveland Cavaliers. 3. team
4. team. 81. Failing to get 60 wins means very little, but a recent shooting slump could. C.J. Miles’ recent difficulties are well-known, but DeMar DeRozan has had some woeful nights from inside the 3-point arc recently. Toronto’s depth is extraordinary, and something coach Dwane Casey will lean on. The Raptors split the season series with Washington 2-2, so that’s not telling, but the Wiz’ poor results at season’s end doesn’t bode well for them. <p>Games needed: 6</p>. 59-23. Previous: 8th. Toronto Raptors
41. With little to play for over the last few weeks, the Warriors backed into the playoffs. They are without Stephen Curry for at least Round One. The Spurs present an interesting challenge. However, without Kawhi Leonard, they don’t have enough offensive pop to threaten a team with gunners the calibre of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. If the Warriors can survive, and Steph returns good as new, I’ll bump them next round. <p>Games needed: 5</p>. 56-21. Previous: 11th. Golden State Warriors. 5. team
118. In mid-January, the Jazz were 9 games under .500, yet they finished 14 over. That’s much too long a run of sustained excellence to ignore, and I won’t. Their record ties them with the #4 seed, OKC, and while the Thunder took the season series 3-1, the two last met in December. Utah can score from inside and out, thanks to their devastating rookie Donovan Mitchell. They defend everywhere, particularly in the paint, also known as Rudy Gobert’s office. They aren’t a fluke. <p>Games needed: 6</p>. 48-34. Previous: 7th. Utah jazz. 6. team
Rolling out 55 wins with this patchwork lineup is little short of miraculous. I think the Celtics can keep things rolling for 1 round anyway, largely because I don’t believe in Milwaukee. Boston’s swarming defense will have to do without Marcus Smart, but at least he’s got a chance to return once his thumb injury is repaired. Until then, clever kids like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will need to grow up quick. <p>Games needed: 7</p>. 55-27. Previous: 2nd. Boston celtics. 7. team. 18
69. I’d call this an upset, but #3 Portland was only one win better than #6 New Orleans. The Pelicans finished the season with 5 straight wins. While their roster is skinnier than a Paris runway model, their front-liners are both excellent and experienced. Rajon Rondo always has a chip on his shoulder, which is something you need in the playoffs. Anthony Davis is an MVP candidate, and Jrue Holiday has had a brilliant run. If Niko Mirotic gets hot, this could be over quick. <p>Games needed: 6</p>. 48-34. Previous: 10th. New Orleans pelicans. 8. team
Previous: 6th. Portland trail blazers. 9. team. 34. The Blazers split the season series with the Pelicans at 2 each. Portland finished with 5 wins in their final 12 outings, hardly the mark of a team ready to rumble in the post-season. They aren’t getting enough points from their bench, so C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard are going to be under constant scoring pressure. Anthony Davis will limit their points in the paint. <p>Out in: 6 games</p>. 49-33
Previous: 9th. San Antonio spurs. 10. team. 29. The Spurs have been a remarkable regular season story. Their lineup should be dubbed “LA & the B-list”. LaMarcus Aldridge has had little help all year. Danny Green(!) started 60 games, and coach Pop has leaned on greybeards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker too much. What choice did he have? Toss out Patty (“Missed again!”) Mills once again? Fun’s over, guys, unless Kawhi Leonard returns from whatever dark cloud he’s been under for months. <p>Out in: 5</p>. 47-35
11. team. 149. The Thunder couldn’t nudge past the Blazers to avoid Utah. Now they must defeat one of the NBA’s best defensive teams to advance. Rudy Gobert is one of the few humans on the planet capable of slowing down Russell Westbrook. That’s the key for Utah – control the pace, which they will. Carmelo’s defense will be exposed by gunslingers like Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles. <p>Out in: 6</p><div class=. 48-34. Previous: 10th. Oklahoma City thunder
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Oklahoma City thunder 48-34
Last week: 3-1
Last rank: 10
The Thunder couldn’t nudge past the Blazers to avoid Utah. Now they must defeat one of the NBA’s best defensive teams to advance. Rudy Gobert is one of the few humans on the planet capable of slowing down Russell Westbrook. That’s the key for Utah – control the pace, which they will. Carmelo’s defense will be exposed by gunslingers like Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles.
Out in: 6
Indiana pacers. 12. team. 100. If this series were being played in early January, the Pacers would have been my choice. Not any more; they seem to have maxed out recently, while Cleveland has hit its stride. Indiana has been a pleasant surprise in 2017-18, and there’s no shame in bowing out to the Cavs. The Pacers need to find an X-factor – but who? Sorry, I’d love to see Cleveland gone, but this team won’t do it. <p>Out in: 5</p>. 48-34. Previous: 5th
Previous: 13th. Minnesota timberwolves. 13. team. 86. The T’Wolves got the monkey off their back, finally. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2004-05, and have the distinct problem of trying to handle the Houston Rockets. That’s not happening. Getting in is a great thing for youthful Minnesota, but I’m being generous giving them even 1 win against the Rox. Jimmy Butler may make it interesting, but James Harden will shred their defense. <p>Out in: 5</p>. 47-35
Previous: 15th. Miami heat. 14. team. 110. The Heat is less a basketball team, and more the extras from “Slap Shot”. They like to counter-punch on offense, and score quickly, because their half-court sets don’t provide much excitement. Miami has the unenviable task of trying to beat an absurdly hot 76ers team, and that’s too tall an assignment. If they want to bang, and they do, Philly will give it right back. Goran Dragic is going to have a miserable time trying to get shots up against the absurd length of Ben Simmons. <p>Out in: 5</p>. 44-38
Milwaukee bucks. 15. team. 89. Milwaukee is healthy for the first time in months. That’s their 1 big advantage over the Celtics, who otherwise hold most of the cards. The Bucks are the lone playoff team with a minus score for the season (0.3), while the Celtics are plus_3.6. Boston is adept at small-ball defense, and I suspect will force a bunch of Bucks turnovers. Brad Stevens is a wonderful coach, and will steal a win or two late. <p>Out in: 7</p>. 44-38. Previous: 18th
team. 142. The Wiz are fortunate the Pistons weren’t chasing them, or they might not have made the dance at all. Washington lost 5 of its last 6 games. Maybe they will find another gear now that John Wall is back and seemingly at full speed. Otto Porter is a major threat from beyond the arc, and Bradley Beal can attack the bucket, or pull up for a sweet J. But their interior game isn’t much, and they can’t compete with the Raptors’ bench mob. <p>Out in: 6</p>. 43-39. Previous: 16th. Washington wizards. 16