Week 16 of NBA basketball is done and with the all-star festivities in full swing, a lot of teams and players are looking forward to the midseason break to get an important breather away from basketball and a chance to catch up with family.
Today, we will take a look at the ranking of all 30 NBA teams after week 17.
30. Detroit Pistons (Last Week’s Rank: 30)
The Pistons were thoroughly dismantled by the Lakers and the Suns this past week. With the first half of the season done, it is interesting to see what direction the Pistons will take after the all-star break. Are they done evaluating the talent on their roster?
29. Washington Wizards (Last Week’s Rank: 29)
The Wizards went 0-2 this past week with Jordan Poole being a non-factor in both games. Kyle Kuzma made some head-scratching remarks after declining a trade to go to Dallas. He probably wants to stay in a stress-free environment like the Wizards.
28. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week’s Rank: 28)
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The Spurs went 1-1 this past week and could have gone 2-0 had they held on to their lead against the Mavs. But despite their up and down play, rookie Victor Wembanyama produced one of the rarest stat lines in basketball, recording a 27-point, 14-rebound, 10-block triple-double.
27. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week’s Rank: 27)
The Hornets, with new acquisition Grant Williams on the team, are surprisingly on a three-game winning streak right now. While this may be temporary, it is a good indication that they are still trying to be competitive despite being out of the playoff picture.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week’s Rank: 26)
The Blazers are limping badly right now. It is evident that they will attempt to trade half of their current roster once their season ends in April. The only encouraging thing going on for them lately is Scoot Henderson’s recent emergence.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week’s Rank: 25)
25. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week’s Rank: 25)
24. Toronto Raptors (Last Week’s Rank: 24)
The Raptors are on a three-game losing streak right now. They entered this season with playoff aspirations but it is safe to say that they won’t qualify for it this year. The biggest consolation price for them is that Scottie Barnes was named an all-star reserve this season.
23. Brooklyn Nets (Last Week’s Rank: 23)
The Nets were clobbered easily by the Celtics in back-to-back games this week. One of the losses was a 50-point demolition at TD Garden. It is quite baffling that the Nets could still realistically vie for a playoff spot this season if they can get their act together.
22. Houston Rockets (Last Week’s Rank: 22)
It seems like Alperen Sengun’s hot start this season has since cooled off a bit in recent weeks. They went 1-1 in week 17 but their lone loss was at the expense of the injury-riddled Grizzlies.
21. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week’s Rank: 21)
Just when everybody thought that the Hawks had turned a new leaf but as expected, they tumbled again to the ground. Atlanta went 0-2 this past week with losses against the Bulls and the Hornets.
20. Utah Jazz (Last Week’s Rank: 19)
After Utah’s surprising run in January, it seems like they have lost a step or two in the past couple of weeks. Jordan Clarkson is struggling with his shots and so is Lauri Markkanen.
19. Chicago Bulls (Last Week’s Rank: 20)
The Bulls went 5-5 in their last 10 games but the good news is that they are currently at the 9th spot in the East. They are getting comfortable as a unit sans Zach LaVine, who is out for the rest of the season.
18. Golden State Warriors (Last Week’s Rank: 18)
The Dubs’ winning streak was halted by the mighty Clippers this past week. There seems to be a renewed confidence within the team as they suddenly looked like a dark horse team in the West.
17. Miami Heat (Last Week’s Rank: 17)
Miami was fairly impressive this week despite the absence of Jimmy Butler. They routed the struggling Bucks and executed well down the stretch against the Joel Embiid-less Sixers.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week’s Rank: 16)
The Lakers are rolling despite staying put at the trade deadline. They picked up Spencer Dinwiddie from the buyout market to bolster their backcourt. Rui Hachimura has shown that he’s ready for a prime role for the team.
15. Orlando Magic (Last Week’s Rank: 15)
Franz Wagner’s sudden rise has been crucial for the Magic in recent weeks. After deferring the scoring responsibilities to Paolo Banchero, Wagner ultimately decided that he needed to hunt his own basket to take this team to newer heights.
14. Indiana Pacers (Last Week’s Rank: 14)
After losing to the cellar-dwelling Hornets, the Pacers managed to salvage a win against the sluggish Raptors to end week 17. The all-star weekend is a much-needed break for this young team to integrate Siakam better on the offensive end.
13. Philadelphia 76ers (Last Week’s Rank: 10)
The Sixers continue to slide further down in the Eastern Conference standings without Joel Embiid. They have tried multiple rotations to somehow ease the bleeding but to no avail.
12. Sacramento Kings (Last Week’s Rank: 9)
While Domantas Sabonis continues to play at a stellar rate for Sacramento, a couple of Western Conference teams recently passed them in the standings. They need to make some serious adjustments in the second half of the season.
11. New Orleans Pelicans(Last Week’s Rank: 12)
The Pelicans are on a three-game winning streak right now due to the brilliant play of Williamson and Ingram. They need to sustain this momentum in order to inch closer to the top 5 in the West.
10. Phoenix Suns (Last Week’s Rank: 10)
The Suns now have gone 7 out of 3 in their last 10 games. They are playing superb basketball right now and are looking like legitimate contenders as of late. Let’s just hope that they can stay healthy.
9. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week’s Rank: 13)
The biggest riser this week, the Mavs are playing elite basketball right now. Washington and Gafford are still adjusting to their roles within the team. Kyrie has been playing extremely well since his return from an injury.
8. New York Knicks (Last Week’s Rank: 8)
The Knicks now have lost four in a row and are badly missing the services of Randle and Anunoby. If healthy, there’s no doubt that they are one of the best teams in the East.
7. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week’s Rank: 7)
Doc Rivers is now 3-7 since he replaced Adrian Griffin as the Bucks’ head coach. It’s not like he came out of nowhere to coach this team. What’s baffling is that he’s been mentoring Griffin for more than a month before the latter’s dismissal.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week’s Rank: 6)
Even though the Cavs lost to a struggling Sixers team this week, they are now sitting at the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. With the Bucks and the Knicks struggling, they might secure this position at the end of the season.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week’s Rank: 5)
After getting embarrassed by the Mavs last week, OKC shifted to a higher gear and blew out the Kings and the Magic. SGA is quietly building up his reputation as a dark horse candidate to win MVP this season.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week’s Rank: 2)
The Clippers were humbled by the Wolves in what would become a one-sided affair this past week. After the loss, they halted Golden State’s winning streak and now sit at the third spot in the West. Plus, Kawhi only missed five games this season.
3. Denver Nuggets (Last Week’s Rank: 3)
The Nuggets are on a three-game skid right now. What’s alarming is that they were blown out twice in that span. Regardless, expect them to bounce back stronger after the all-star break. It’s hard to underestimate this team as they are the reigning champions after all.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves(Last Week’s Rank: 4)
The Wolves regained the top spot in the West and now have won four straight games. Despite the struggles of Karl-Anthony Towns, his teammates have picked up the slack which then led to impressive wins. Anthony Edwards, as young as he is, is already one of the top players in the league right now.
1. Boston Celtics (Last Week’s Rank: 1)
Boston has now won six straight games and is looking as dangerous as ever. They own the best record in the league after the first half of the season and their current reign will inevitably continue after the all-star break.
