Power Rankings, Week 20: Cavaliers reclaim top spot; Western and Eastern Conference hierarchy becomes more defined
With only six weeks remaining in the regular season, we are approaching the 75% mark this ...
With only six weeks remaining in the regular season, we are approaching the 75% mark this Wednesday. At this crucial juncture, the teams vying for playoff or SoFi Play-In Tournament spots in each conference have started to separate into distinct tiers.
Eastern Conference
Tier 1 (7 1/2 games ahead of everybody): ClevelandTier 2 (18-20 losses): Boston and New York, seemingly competing for home-court advantage in the conference semifinalsTier 3 (25-26 losses): Milwaukee, Indiana and Detroit. One will get home-court advantage in the first round, while one will get the Knicks or CelticsTier 4 (31-33 losses): Miami, Orlando and Atlanta. The great thing about the Play-In competition is that every spot higher comes with a clear advantageTier 5 (37-42 losses): Chicago, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Toronto. Anybody want the final spot?Western Conference
Tier 1 (10 1/2 games ahead): Oklahoma CityTier 2 (21-23 losses): Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, Memphis and Houston. A fun mix of veteran squads and teams on the come-upTier 3 (28-29 losses): LA Clippers, Golden State, Minnesota, Sacramento and Dallas. One of these teams will have a guaranteed playoff spot, while the others will (likely) battle it out in the Play-InTier 4 (33-34 losses): Phoenix, Portland and San Antonio. The Blazers have some momentum, but they would need one of the Tier 3 teams to falterWe could certainly get some mixing of those tiers in the next few weeks. But for now, there are some pretty clear delineations.
There are also a couple of big games West Tier 3 to be played in the next seven days: Kings-Mavs on Monday and Kings-Clippers over the weekend.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Right Way: Ty Jerome (CLE) was a plus-68 in three games last week.Wrong Way: Miles Bridges (CHA) was a minus-77 in four games last week.Teams of the Week
Make It Last Forever: Cleveland (3-0) — Back on top.Something Just Ain’t Right: Orlando (0-3) — The Magic were once 17-9, but have gone 12-24 since then.* * *
East vs. West
The West is 177-135 (.567) against the East in interconference games after going 12-7 last week.Schedule strength through Week 19
Toughest: 1. Toronto, 2. Minnesota, 3. WashingtonEasiest: 1. Milwaukee, 2. Cleveland, 3. New YorkSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.* * *
Movement in the Rankings
High jump of the week: New Orleans (+5)Free fall of the week: Orlando (-3)* * *
Week 20 Team to Watch
Sacramento — The Kings have won three straight games and are one of five teams (all with 28 or 29 losses) fighting for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the West. They’ll face two of the other four this week, visiting the Mavs on Monday and the Clippers on Sunday. In between, they’ll face the Nuggets and Spurs.* * *
Previously…
Last week: Pacers, Lakers making their presence feltThe archive: NBA.com Power RankingsOffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 113.2 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.
