Now that the All-Star Break is behind us, games resume this week as teams enter the final 3rd of games for the season. The playoffs are coming faster than you think, so it seems like a good time to review the standout teams and those that have the chance to go all the way.
Beasts of the East — Eastern Conference Top 5:
#1 – Boston Celtics
Boston has continued to show their ability as the number one team, both in the East and in the NBA, and is my biggest contender for a spot in the finals this year.
All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to be critical players alongside Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. The combination of versatile scorers and clinical playmakers has turned this team into a threat that has dominated the Eastern Conference all year.
#2 – Cleveland Cavaliers
As 2nd in the East, the Cavaliers are having a good season, Donovan Mitchell has shown himself to be a key player, securing the 5th highest PPG this season across the league. Consistent performances from Jarrett Allen have proved a crucial piece of the puzzle for them, but the lack of standout performances from forwards Max Strus and Evan Mobley could mean trouble come playoff time.
#3 – Milwaukee Bucks
In 3rd place, the Bucks looked dangerous this year, and seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard next to each other could make any team nervous.
However, the most recent coaching change makes it difficult to see an extended playoff run from them this year. After firing Adrian Griffin, despite a 30-13 record, the Bucks front office decided they needed someone with more experience, and that someone was Doc Rivers. While Doc Rivers is experienced, his difficult history in securing playoff wins has left fans frustrated with the Bucks’ front office.
#4 – New York Knicks
The Knicks are in 4th and are showing a versatile lineup despite having so many injuries.
The Knicks starting five have played a total of 14 games together this season due to injuries. Despite all this, the team has shown their ability to cope with missing players like Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, as well as recurring issues from players like DiVincenzo and Hartstein. Jalen Brunson has continued to prove himself as a capable scorer and with so many games left the Knicks could be a dangerous team if players are cleared in time.
#5 – Philidelphia 76ers
Though they sit at 5th, in all honesty, things don’t look great for Philadelphia. Losing a big-impact player like Joel Embiid to another recurring knee injury could be detrimental to their plans for a playoff run.
That said, players like Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. have always been core pieces of the puzzle for this Philly team. The deciding factor will depend on whether Embiid will return in time for the post-season, or if these two key players will have to lift the rest of the roster to those highlight-reel performances as we’ve seen in the past.
Blessed in the West — Western Conference Top 5:
#1 – Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves lineup speaks for itself: Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley Jr., and everyone’s favorite Frenchman: Rudy Gobert. Most especially, do not count out their bench, as Naz Reid has been getting some clinical shots up with his game time, which could be crucial compared to teams with little depth on the bench.
Towards the end of some close games, we have seen glimpses of a shoddy offensive team, but overall, their ability to make some big adjustments at halftime makes me consider locker room talk as a huge factor for this team. It also helps that they’re the #2 best team defensively behind the Boston Celtics, which I’m sure Wolves fans are happy about.
#2 – Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have had some great games, and the team’s youth are shining:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been an absolute human highlight reel as the third-highest scorer this season, and with Embiid out of the running, is probably the most likely to win MVP this year. Alongside him is Chet Holmgren, who is the only other rookie contending Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year, and Jalen Williams, who continues to be critical for this team between putting points on the board and playmaking.
They sit behind the Timberwolves as the #3 defensive team this season, finding many of their leads early on in games, and being pretty successful in defending those leads.
A fast, offensive tempo and continuous off-ball movement is what makes this team likely to make a playoff run.
#3 – LA Clippers
If you have Russell Westbrook coming off the bench, it is a sign that something is working. Head coach Tyronn Lue attributes a lot of the team’s success to an improved offense, citing Harden’s ability to make the right decisions as a facilitator on the front foot.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have put their abilities as amazing shot creators on display. Plus, a Guard rotation of James Harden and Russell Westbrook shows a healthy team mindset with Westbrook agreeing to start on the bench. While they’ve struggled against teams like the Timberwolves this season, we may see a flip of the narrative come playoff time.
#4 – Denver Nuggets
With last year’s MVP Nikola Jokic sitting at the center of a team, it’s hard to say that the Nuggets are out of the question for a good playoff run this year. But, mediocre performances from guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon can be evidence of those consistency issues we see throughout some of these teams.
Jokic is having another great season and is still in the running for a third MVP which we haven’t seen since Lebron got his third in 2013. But as for the rest of the team, the Nuggets have had trouble putting up points against teams that lock up their role players with hard-nosed defense. Finding a way through those kinds of relentless coverage with Murray and Jokic would help their chances in the playoffs.
#5 – The Phoenix Suns
Last but not least, the Suns.
While it makes no sense, the Suns have been good, but not great offensively. Granted the combination of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker has been great, as KD and Booker are both in the Top ten scorers this season. But the team really struggles in the clutch.
Which is weird, right? You’d think with guys like KD and Beal, the clutch wouldn’t be an issue, but the Suns sit at a measly 48.3% win rate in the clutch according to the NBA. With the Pelicans going neck and neck for the 5th place spot, it will be interesting to see how the two teams find their footing toward the post-season.
Though the playoffs bracket includes other teams outside the top five, in my opinion, these are the teams that have the best chance to take it to the finals this year. But with so many games left, players have time to recover and teams can build up momentum to take a shot at some sweet, sweet silverware.
