If the NBA season ended this day, Madison Square Garden may maybe per chance well well be web web hosting Game 1 of a principal-round playoff sequence. The Original York Knicks have won nine straight video games for the first time for the reason that 2012-13 season, the one year they carried out because the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed.
While Julius Randle & Co. are no longer likely to upward thrust that excessive in the standings, they’re in space to get dangle of a high-four or -5 seed and care for out of the league’s new play-in tournament.
Speaking of the play-in, the Washington Wizards, once finish to the underside of the East standings, have vaulted into the 10th save of residing slack eight consecutive wins. Can they get dangle of on and ship the destructive duo of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal into the play-in?
Simplest three weeks remain in the 2020-21 regular season. Right here’s where our panel sees all 30 NBA groups appropriate now.
Repeat: For the length of the regular season, our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Cut Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Royce Younger and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 groups from high to bottom, taking stock of which groups are enjoying the very best doubtless basketball now and which groups are wanting most esteem title contenders.
Old rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18
1. Utah Jazz
2020-21 file: 44-16
Old ranking: 2
A dwelling loss to the lowly Timberwolves when the Jazz had a probability to clinch a playoff berth? In a sport Utah led by 17 in the first half of? That’s a head-scratcher, even with Donovan Mitchell lacking thanks to his sprained ankle. Joe Ingles (1-of-9 from the floor) had his worst taking pictures night of the season, but the Jazz are peaceable 14-4 when he fills in as a starter for Mike Conley or Mitchell. — MacMahon
This week: @MIN, @SAC, @PHO, TOR
2. Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 file: 41-20
Old ranking: 4
With 11 video games left in the regular season, the Nets are indirectly starting to glean pieced support collectively. Kevin Durant returned and regarded esteem Kevin Durant, scoring 33 system in 28 minutes on Sunday against the Suns. While they support James Harden, who suffered a setback along with his hamstring and is support to “square one,” according to head coach Steve Nash, their eyes are squarely all in favour of getting complete for the postseason. A signal of encouragement, though: After beating Phoenix, the Nets improved to 20-6 against the West. — Younger
This week: @TOR, @IND, POR, @MIL
3. Phoenix Suns
2020-21 file: 42-18
Old ranking: 3
Sunday’s loss to the Nets marked the first time in three months that the Suns suffered support-to-support losses. In actuality, the very best doubtless other time they misplaced consecutive video games this season changed into once after they dropped three video games from Jan. 22 to 27 — two of these being time previous regulation video games to Denver factual a week after postponements due to COVID-19. Phoenix sits two video games slack the Jazz for first space in the Western Conference but will desire to get dangle of support the Clippers, who’re also two video games out of first. — Lopez
This week: @NYK, LAC, UTA, @OKC
4. LA Clippers
2020-21 file: 43-19
Old ranking: 5
The Clippers are rolling despite lacking several starters. Even without Kawhi Leonard (foot), Patrick Beverley (hand), Serge Ibaka (support) and with other key avid gamers injured or resting on crawl nights, the Clippers have won four straight and 17 of their previous 20 video games. Paul George is support in revenge mode, scoring 30 or extra in seven of his previous eight video games, and the supporting solid has helped the Clippers draw from slack to settle the final three video games. Head coach Ty Lue’s biggest venture, though, shall be to glean his crew on the same page once at corpulent strength. The Clippers have no longer had Leonard, George, Beverley and Ibaka play in a sport collectively since March 11. — Youngmisuk
This week: @NOP, @PHO, DEN
5. Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 file: 39-21
Old ranking: 1
After Philadelphia apparently had the discontinue seed in the East locked up, a disastrous week that featured four straight losses — along side two in Milwaukee to fellow East contenders — has the Sixers support slack the Nets in the trip for the discontinue seed. Philadelphia’s agenda will get less complicated down the stretch, and the Sixers create own the tiebreaker, but this week has made for a a lot extra disturbing jog to playoffs. — Bontemps
This week: OKC, ATL, ATL, @SAS
6. Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 file: 37-23
Old ranking: 6
While the losses to the Suns and Hawks on either side of them were disappointing, the Bucks won the 2 principal video games this week, beating Philadelphia twice at dwelling to clinch the season-long tiebreaker over the Sixers. Milwaukee may maybe per chance well have a probability to create the same teach in early May per chance simply against Brooklyn. If the Bucks can pull that off, they will have a route to the all-crucial high seed in the East. — Bontemps
This week: @CHA, @HOU, @CHI, BRK
7. Denver Nuggets
2020-21 file: 39-21
Old ranking: 8
Denver’s season took one other blow when Will Barton suffered what head coach Michael Malone called a “moderately principal” hamstring harm. This comes on the heels of the crew shedding Jamal Murray for the season to a torn ACL. Denver peaceable has won 5 of six video games with Nikola Jokic continuing his MVP marketing campaign and Michael Porter Jr. lifting his level of play. PJ Dozier is expected to leer an elevated characteristic with Barton out indefinitely. — Youngmisuk
This week: MEM, NOP, TOR, @LAC
8. Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 file: 35-25
Old ranking: 7
Anthony Davis‘ return did no longer stay the bleeding for the Lakers, as L.A. went 0-2 in Davis’ first two video games support from harm against the Mavericks. Making issues worse, the losses got right here against a Dallas crew nipping on the Lakers’ heels in the standings, as L.A. now holds factual a 1½-sport advantage over the Mavs for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference standings. — McMenamin
This week: @ORL, @WAS, SAC, TOR
9. Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 file: 33-26
Old ranking: 11
It changed into once especially gratifying for Dwight Powell to play this form of prominent characteristic in Luka Doncic‘s torching the Lakers’ traps in the 2d half of of Saturday’s settle. Powell showed signs of the explosiveness and finishing skill he possessed sooner than rupturing his Achilles tendon in January 2020. He had 21 of his season-excessive 25 system in the 2d half of, when he changed into once 9-of-10 from the floor, along side seven dunks or layups off of Doncic dimes. Stated head coach Rick Carlisle: “I don’t leer any disagreement now from the Dwight Powell sooner than the harm, and that factual speaks to an perfect quantity of labor put in.” — MacMahon
This week: @SAC, @GSW, @DET, WAS, SAC
10. Original York Knicks
2020-21 file: 34-27
Old ranking: 14
Because the Knicks proceed to settle and are successfully on their formula to their simplest season since a 54-victory marketing campaign in 2012-13 — the final time they made the playoffs — Julius Randle is cementing his case to manufacture an All-NBA crew, and Tom Thibodeau is doing the same for a success his 2d Coach of the Year award. Randle has been spectacular, averaging career highs in almost each category, whereas Thibodeau has driven this crew to worthy bigger heights than somebody may maybe per chance well have moderately hoped. — Bontemps
This week: PHO, CHI, @HOU
11. Atlanta Hawks
2020-21 file: 34-27
Old ranking: 12
With a settle over the Bucks on Sunday, the Hawks improved to 20-7 since Nate McMillan took over as intervening time coach. That mark is the very best doubtless file in the East exact by that span, with best doubtless the Nuggets having the next file overall. Atlanta improved to seven video games over .500 for the first time this season and has won 11 of its previous 14 video games because it makes a push for dwelling-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. — Lopez
This week: @DET, @PHI, @PHI, CHI
12. Portland Lumber Blazers
2020-21 file: 32-28
Old ranking: 10
The Blazers have misplaced 5 straight and eight of 10. They’ve slipped into the play-in save of residing, now two video games slack the Mavericks in the loss column. Diagnosing the Blazers is difficult, but Damian Lillard summarized it this draw after Sunday’s loss to Memphis: “I’m no longer enjoying successfully enough. I’m on the floor because that offers our crew the very best doubtless probability to settle, and I’ve got to be better.” — Younger
This week: @IND, @MEM, @BRK, @BOS
13. Miami Heat
2020-21 file: 32-29
Old ranking: 13
The Heat won three of four final week and have gotten a nice rep from Jimmy Butler after he returned from an ankle harm in Wednesday’s settle over the Spurs. Butler is averaging 19.0 system, 8.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds over his previous three video games. Duncan Robinson poured in 23 in a settle over the Bulls on Saturday and is averaging 14.4 system per sport this month. — Friedell
This week: CHI, SAS, @CLE, @CHA
14. Boston Celtics
2020-21 file: 32-29
Old ranking: 9
Per week ago, the Celtics regarded esteem they’d grew to vary into a corner after a success six in a row and eight of nine. Now, Boston has misplaced three of its previous four and is support in hazard of discovering itself in the play-in tournament. While it is no longer his fault, given he missed almost three weeks after testing crawl for COVID-19, newly obtained Evan Fournier has did no longer fabricate a shot in three of the six video games he has played with Boston. — Bontemps
This week: OKC, CHA, SAS, POR
15. Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 file: 31-28
Old ranking: 15
The first two outings of the season for Jaren Jackson Jr., the 21-one year-worn franchise cornerstone who has been sidelined since final season’s bubble restart thanks to meniscus surgical operation, were fairly encouraging. Jackson scored 38 system on 14-of-25 taking pictures in 43 minutes, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking 5 shots. He’s coming off the bench for now as Memphis fastidiously manages Jackson’s workload, along side sitting him for Sunday’s sport in Portland as a precaution. — MacMahon
This week: @DEN, POR, ORL, @ORL
16. Golden Direct Warriors
2020-21 file: 31-30
Old ranking: 17
As Stephen Curry goes, so create the Warriors. The two-time MVP dropped 37 in Sunday night’s settle over the Kings whereas setting a new file for 3-pointers in a calendar month — with 85 and counting in April. Curry has had some implausible stretches exact by his career, but that is arguably his simplest. He’s averaging 38.2 system a sport this month. — Friedell
This week: DAL, @MIN, @HOU
17. Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 file: 30-30
Old ranking: 16
Charlotte picked up a nice settle over the Celtics on Sunday in which all 5 starters scored in double figures. Terry Rozier continues to capture up the scoring slack with LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward peaceable out. Rozier has scored no longer no longer as a lot as 20 system in six of his previous seven video games. With Ball potentially coming support this week after lacking over a month thanks to a wrist harm, the Hornets leer primed for a playoff push. — Friedell
This week: MIL, @BOS, DET, MIA
18. San Antonio Spurs
2020-21 file: 30-29
Old ranking: 18
The Spurs have won four of their previous 5 video games to leap support into the ninth save of residing in the Western Conference. They’ve gotten a rep from Derrick White‘s scoring over that stretch. White had two video games and not utilizing a longer no longer as a lot as 25 system final week, bringing his complete to six in 35 video games this season. In his first 152 career video games, White had best doubtless three video games in which he scored 25 system or extra. — Lopez
This week: @WAS, @MIA, @BOS, PHI
19. Indiana Pacers
2020-21 file: 29-31
Old ranking: 19
It changed into once a whirlwind week for Oshae Brissett. After incomes a multiyear contract with the Pacers, Brissett responded with a 23-level, 12-rebound efficiency against Oklahoma Metropolis final Wednesday. He put up one other double-double — 11 system, 11 rebounds — on Saturday against the Pistons and wrapped issues up Sunday with 13 system and 8 rebounds against the Magic. The Pacers won all three video games. — Lopez
This week: POR, BRK, @OKC
20. Washington Wizards
2020-21 file: 27-33
Old ranking: 22
The Wizards are on this form of roll appropriate now that they are doing issues that have not been done in Washington since Michael Jordan wore a Wizards uniform. Washington has won eight straight video games and may maybe per chance well well match the franchise file of nine a row, which has been carried out four times, most no longer too long ago when Jordan changed into once a Wizard in December 2001. Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook are on a mosey and leading the draw, but Daniel Gafford has been an perfect addition. Since procuring and selling for the heart, the Wizards are 10-1 when Gafford performs. With 12 video games left in the season, the Wizards are currently in 10th space and in the play-in tournament. — Youngmisuk
This week: SAS, LAL, @CLE, @DAL
21. Toronto Raptors
2020-21 file: 25-35
Old ranking: 21
Toronto won four video games in a row sooner than shedding to Original York on Saturday to glean support into the trip for the 10th seed in the East. The teach is that Washington has won nine of 10 to surge previous both Toronto and Chicago and into the final play-in tournament save of residing. The next six video games will likely pick Toronto’s potentialities of getting support in the playoffs, as a dwelling sport in Tampa, Florida, against Cleveland is adopted by one other dwelling sport against the East-leading Nets. A brutal West Fly time out that comprises video games in Denver, Utah and against both L.A. groups follows. — Bontemps
This week: CLE, BRK, @DEN, @UTA
22. Original Orleans Pelicans
2020-21 file: 26-34
Old ranking: 20
As they’re looking out out for to manufacture the play-in tournament, the Pelicans have squandered lead after lead. Saturday night’s sport against the Spurs changed into once one other instance. The Pelicans led by 5 with factual below four minutes to play and misplaced. Based totally mostly on ESPN Stats & Knowledge learn, it changed into once their league-leading sixth loss this season when maintaining no longer no longer as a lot as a 5-level lead in the final 5 minutes of a sport. Three of these have occurred in the previous 5 video games (April 16 vs. Washington and April 18 vs. Original York being the others). — Lopez
This week: LAC, @DEN, @OKC, @MIN
23. Chicago Bulls
2020-21 file: 25-35
Old ranking: 23
The Bulls showed signs of life again this week in picking up just a few wins without Zach LaVine, who remains out due to COVID-19 protocols. LaVine’s return can’t draw soon enough for a Bulls crew that currently sits two losses slack the surging Washington Wizards for the final save of residing in the play-in tournament and has a agenda corpulent of playoff groups down the stretch. The beautiful news is that new enormous man Nikola Vucevic remains to be a mannequin of consistency, underscored by his 44 system and 30 rebounds over his previous two video games. — Friedell
This week: @MIA, @NYK, MIL, @ATL
24. Sacramento Kings
2020-21 file: 24-36
Old ranking: 24
The beautiful: Sacramento got 24 system and 8 assists from standout rookie Tyrese Haliburton against Golden Direct on Sunday. The execrable: The Kings peaceable misplaced to the Warriors by four. The grotesque: Haliburton got the enjoying time to amass that production best doubtless because De’Aaron Fox changed into once out as a result of NBA’s successfully being and safety protocols. — McMenamin
This week: DAL, UTA, @LAL, @DAL
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
2020-21 file: 21-39
Old ranking: 25
Anytime Darius Garland breaks by with high-line stats esteem he had against the Wizards this week — 28 system and 9 assists — it may maybe well per chance per chance well well seem like an endorsement of the minute-sized backcourt the Cavs put collectively. But pondering these numbers got right here in a nine-level loss to the Wizards, along with six turnovers, the jury is peaceable out. — McMenamin
This week: @TOR, ORL, WAS, MIA
26. Oklahoma Metropolis Screech
2020-21 file: 20-40
Old ranking: 26
The Screech’s shedding tear is at 13 video games, but even with the prolonged absence of a success, avid gamers and coaches are peaceable adamant the crew’s temper will not be any longer crumbling. “In point of fact, spirits are orderly excessive,” guard Ty Jerome said. “I mean, we got a orderly competitive bunch, as every person at this level is, so you know we despise shedding. But spirits are excessive.” The longest shedding tear in Screech history (for the reason that franchise relocated from Seattle to Oklahoma Metropolis for the 2008-09 season) is 14. With their next two video games against the Sixers and Celtics, probability is lovely there shall be a new mark. — Younger
This week: @PHI, @BOS, NOP, IND, PHO
27. Detroit Pistons
2020-21 file: 18-43
Old ranking: 27
As Detroit tanks toward the underside of the standings, administration may maybe per chance well have a interesting evaluation case on its arms in Josh Jackson. The worn lottery capture is averaging 17.0 system, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists and taking pictures 39.3% from 3 in April, but the Pistons are factual 5-9 in that stretch. — McMenamin
This week: ATL, DAL, @CHA
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
2020-21 file: 17-44
Old ranking: 29
It may maybe well per chance well well moreover seem surprising for the Wolves to breeze on the avenue and beat the Jazz, but since guard D’Angelo Russell returned, Minnesota is quietly 5-6 and has played competitively in practically each sport. Taking part in as a orderly sixth man, Russell is maximizing his characteristic whereas also giving rookie Anthony Edwards room to develop as a starter. — Younger
This week: UTA, @HOU, GSW, NOP
29. Orlando Magic
2020-21 file: 18-42
Old ranking: 28
No longer best doubtless are the Magic in the midst of a 5-sport shedding tear, as well they desire to handle head coach Steve Clifford being away from the crew after testing crawl for COVID-19, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. In a minute little bit of gorgeous news, rookie Cole Anthony is hanging up his simplest numbers as a skilled this month, averaging 13.4 system, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds per sport by 10 April contests. — Friedell
This week: LAL, @CLE, @MEM, MEM
30. Houston Rockets
2020-21 file: 15-46
Old ranking: 30
Houston has the NBA’s worst file at 15-46 and the 2d-most-tough strength of agenda final (.576 opponents a success percentage). The Rockets have won best doubtless four of their previous 40 video games. It be a finish to easy job that the Rockets will create as one among the three groups with the very best doubtless lottery odds, which would give them a 52.1% probability of landing a high-four capture, the protection vary of the Screech’s appropriate to swap one among their first-round picks with Houston. — MacMahon
This week: MIN, MIL, GSW, NYK
