With one week to go within the NBA’s common season, solely three postseason seeds are locked in: The Phoenix Suns could have the highest seed within the Western Convention playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies could have the second and the LA Clippers are locked into eighth.
The opposite 17 seeds stay up for grabs to arrange what ought to be a frenetic race to the end as soon as play resumes Tuesday.
The highest 4 groups within the Jap Convention — the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers — may wind up ending in nearly any order. And whereas the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls are in a reasonably easy battle for fifth, the East’s race for the 4 play-in match spots presents simply as many prospects because the battle for No. 1.
Out West, the Golden State Warriors head into the ultimate week one sport up on the Dallas Mavericks for third, with Dallas holding the tiebreaker because of successful the season collection between the 2. The battle for fifth by means of seventh, in the meantime, is between a trio of Northwest Division groups — the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves — with Utah holding the tiebreaker over each groups because of successful each season collection.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs are the favorites to snag the ultimate two play-in match spots after the Los Angeles Lakers misplaced twice this weekend to all however doom themselves to the lottery.
For now, one of many few certainties is that this: The ultimate week of the season is stuffed with huge stakes up and down the standings.
— Tim Bontemps
Notice: All through the common season, our panel (Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from high to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying one of the best basketball now and which groups are wanting most like title contenders.
1. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 file: 62-16
Earlier rating: 1
The Suns can afford to relaxation a few of their starters, which is what they did Sunday, giving Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder the time off. At 62-16, the Suns have 4 extra probabilities to high the franchise file for wins in a season. Phoenix went 62-20 in 1992-93 after they went to the NBA Finals, and in 2004-05 after they had been the highest seed within the Western Convention earlier than shedding within the convention finals. — Lopez
2. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 file: 55-23
Earlier rating: 2
The Grizzlies’ beautiful win over the Suns, when just one Memphis starter performed, improved their file to 20-2 with out famous person Ja Morant. In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, that is on tempo to be one of the best successful proportion by a staff in video games performed and not using a 25-points-per-game scorer in NBA historical past (minimal 10 video games). The following three groups on the checklist — Kevin Durant‘s Warriors in 2016-17, Kobe Bryant’s Lakers in 2000-01 and Kawhi Leonard‘s Raptors in 2018-19 — all gained titles. (This season’s Suns, who’re 8-3 with out Devin Booker, rank fifth on that checklist.) — MacMahon
3. Miami Heat
2021-22 file: 51-28
Earlier rating: 6
Kyle Lowry helped Miami pull off a strong win in his return sport in Toronto on Sunday. The Warmth have righted the ship after a rocky few weeks — having gained 4 in a row — and are within the driver’s seat for the East’s No. 1 seed. They have video games towards Charlotte, Atlanta and Orlando to shut the common season and seem like a staff that is able to make a push after robust street wins over the Celtics, Bulls and Raptors. — Friedell
4. Boston Celtics
2021-22 file: 49-30
Earlier rating: 3
Boston continues to soar by means of the common season, because the Celtics have gained 26 of their previous 32 video games after Sunday’s obliteration of the Wizards in Boston’s closing house sport of the common season. Now comes a three-game street journey to wrap up the yr in Chicago, Milwaukee and Memphis. The Celtics are nonetheless able to ending wherever from first to fourth within the convention. — Bontemps
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 file: 48-30
Earlier rating: 5
Giannis Antetokounmpo loudly asserted himself within the MVP dialog with a pair of dominant performances this week: back-to-back 40-point video games in wins over Philadelphia and Brooklyn, two of the opposite high contenders within the Jap Convention. Antetokounmpo has seven video games this season with a minimum of 40 factors and 10 rebounds whereas capturing higher than 65%, per ESPN Stats & Data analysis. The one participant with extra in a single season? Wilt Chamberlain, with 11 in 1962-63. Milwaukee (the East’s No. 3) enters the week tied within the loss column with Boston (No. 2) and Philadelphia (No. 4) and will end wherever within the high 4. — Collier
6. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 file: 48-30
Earlier rating: 4
After Sunday’s win over Cleveland, Philadelphia is tied with Milwaukee — and sits a half-game again of Boston — getting into the ultimate week of the season. Given all three groups are tied within the loss column, and Boston and Milwaukee face one another this week, Philadelphia can end no worse than third if it wins its 4 remaining video games. — Bontemps
7. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 file: 49-30
Earlier rating: 8
Luka Doncic had one other dominant efficiency towards a fellow famous person in Sunday’s win over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, when Doncic had 32 factors, 8 rebounds and 15 assists. It was the third 30-point, 15-assist efficiency by Doncic this season, matching the overall by the remainder of the league. It was additionally Doncic’s fifth straight 30-point sport, tying the second-longest such streak in franchise historical past, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. — MacMahon
8. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 file: 50-29
Earlier rating: 7
Klay Thompson supplied a reminder that he’s nonetheless able to going off at any second whereas pouring in 36 factors and serving to the Warriors climb out of a deep gap to beat the Jazz on Saturday evening. Jordan Poole continues to rack up large numbers, too, having scored a minimum of 20 factors in 16 straight video games — together with 38 in Wednesday’s loss to the Suns. The Warriors hope Stephen Curry comes again from a foot damage and immediately performs like his outdated self when the playoffs start. — Friedell
9. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 file: 47-32
Earlier rating: 11
The reigning MVP enters the ultimate week of the common season doing MVP issues. Nikola Jokic dropped 38 factors, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a pair of blocks on Sunday to push the Lakers’ season to the brink. Jokic is the simply the third participant over the previous 50 years with 35 factors, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in consecutive video games, becoming a member of Antetokounmpo (2020) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1972) — each went on to win the MVP that season. Denver has gained 4 of its previous 5 and is at present in fifth by a half-game over the Jazz. — Youngmisuk
10. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 file: 45-33
Earlier rating: 10
Kyle Lowry was given a well-deserved evening of celebration by the Raptors on Sunday evening, then he proceeded to do to them what he did numerous occasions to Toronto’s opponents throughout his 9 years with the franchise. The Raptors head into the ultimate week of the season tied with the Bulls, who personal the tiebreaker within the race for fifth. — Bontemps
11. Utah Jazz
2021-22 file: 46-32
Earlier rating: 9
It simply retains getting worse for the Jazz, who’ve misplaced six of their previous seven, the lone win throughout that stretch coming over the Lakers’ leftovers. Utah blew large leads — 25 factors over the Clippers and 21 factors over the Warriors — in its previous two losses. Combine in some public, passive-aggressive jabs being exchanged between co-stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and the Jazz have fairly a large number to scrub up earlier than the playoffs start. — MacMahon
12. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 file: 45-33
Earlier rating: 13
With Saturday’s loss to the Warmth, the Bulls are actually 1-12 towards the highest 4 groups in their very own convention. In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, that is on tempo to be the second-worst successful proportion in such video games by a playoff staff since 1984. The Bulls have two probabilities this week to enhance that mark with house video games towards the Bucks and Celtics. — Collier
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 file: 45-34
Earlier rating: 12
The Wolves have dropped 4 of their previous seven video games to lose some late-season momentum, however they’ve a good schedule this week of their try and keep away from the play-in match. Minnesota trails the sixth-seeded Jazz by 1 1/2 video games, with two of its closing three coming towards non-playoff groups. — Collier
14. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 file: 40-38
Earlier rating: 14
Brooklyn is locked into the play-in however sits in tenth place within the East with per week left within the common season. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving stay assured their group can nonetheless get again on observe as soon as the postseason begins. The Nets wasted a career-high 55 factors from Durant in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks and now must cope with an ankle difficulty hampering Seth Curry. Goran Dragic, in the meantime, is within the league’s well being and security protocols. — Friedell
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 file: 43-36
Earlier rating: 16
Cavs rookie standout Evan Mobley missed his fourth straight sport Sunday due to a sprained left ankle — Cleveland has gone 1-3 in that stretch. The Cavs are actually 4-8 when he misses time this season, one other level for voters to contemplate when Rookie of the 12 months ballots are due within the coming weeks. — McMenamin
16. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 file: 41-37
Earlier rating: 17
Trae Young had 36 factors and 10 assists in Saturday evening’s win over the Nets, his fiftieth profession sport with a minimum of 30 factors and 10 assists. For the reason that merger (1976-77), the one gamers with extra are James Harden (99), LeBron James (94), Russell Westbrook (83) and Magic Johnson (58), in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. — Lopez
17. LA Clippers
2021-22 file: 39-40
Earlier rating: 18
The Clippers had an eventful week. Paul George returned Tuesday to assist erase a 25-point deficit towards the Jazz and finish the Clippers’ five-game shedding streak. The Clippers misplaced in additional time in Chicago however gained the subsequent evening in Milwaukee, the place Robert Covington went for 43 factors and 11 3s. And on Sunday, the Clippers cliched eighth place with a win over New Orleans, assuring them a minimum of two probabilities to get into the postseason by way of the play-in match. Additionally, Norman Powell shot on the courtroom earlier than the sport as he inches towards a return. — Youngmisuk
18. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 file: 40-38
Earlier rating: 15
Gordon Hayward was within the Hornets’ lineup Saturday for the primary time since Feb. 7 and now could have per week to get himself up to the mark earlier than the play-in match. They’re going to want him, too, in the event that they need to get into the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Within the meantime, Charlotte will attempt to stand up to eighth within the East to keep away from having to win two video games to get in. — Bontemps
19. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 file: 34-44
Earlier rating: 19
New Orleans should wait till Tuesday evening to clinch its spot within the play-in match with a win towards Sacramento or a loss by the Lakers to the Suns. If the Pelicans, who began 1-12 this season, can discover a strategy to make it into the playoffs by successful each play-in video games, they’re going to grow to be the primary staff for the reason that 1996-97 Suns to begin the season 1-12 or worse and nonetheless make the playoffs. — Lopez
20. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 file: 33-45
Earlier rating: 23
San Antonio took an enormous step towards claiming the No. 10 seed and the ultimate spot within the play-in match with a win over Portland on Sunday, coupled with the Lakers’ loss to Denver. The Spurs have a two-game lead on the Lakers with 4 video games to go for every staff. And the Spurs have the benefit over Los Angeles as a result of they personal the tiebreaker (convention file) after splitting the season collection with the Lakers. — Lopez
21. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 file: 31-47
Earlier rating: 21
L.A. misplaced its sixth sport in a row with Sunday’s defeat to Denver. The Lakers must by some means choose up three video games over the ultimate four-game stretch to beat San Antonio for the No. 10 play-in spot within the West. Mentioned Anthony Davis: “The biggest thing that I think about personally is what we could have been, had we stayed healthy all year.” — McMenamin
22. Washington Wizards
2021-22 file: 34-44
Earlier rating: 22
The Wizards crushed Dallas by 32 in Kristaps Porzingis‘ return Friday however adopted that up by getting blown out by 42 on Sunday in Boston. Formally eradicated from the playoffs, the Wizards need to go into the offseason seeing glimpses of the longer term from key gamers like Porzingis and Rui Hachimura. — Youngmisuk
23. New York Knicks
2021-22 file: 35-44
Earlier rating: 20
With Julius Randle carried out for the season, the ultimate few video games will likely be an enormous alternative for second-year ahead Obi Toppin to get a ton of minutes, because the Knicks start to look forward to what ought to be a really fascinating offseason in Gotham. — Bontemps
24. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 file: 29-50
Earlier rating: 24
Damian Jones has made the many of the late-season minutes he has obtained throughout Richaun Holmes‘ absence from the staff stemming from home violence allegations. Jones, the previous Warriors first-round choose, is averaging 14.7 factors, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks at heart in his previous seven video games for Sacramento, a stretch by which the Kings have gone 4-3. — McMenamin
25. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 file: 27-51
Earlier rating: 25
The Blazers did not face the Lakers final week, however Portland performed spoiler to their dwindling play-in hopes. The tanking Blazers misplaced consecutive video games at San Antonio to assist the Spurs take a two-game lead over the Lakers for the tenth spot. The Blazers have misplaced 17 of their previous 19 video games and have the subsequent three on the street earlier than internet hosting Utah within the season finale. — Youngmisuk
26. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 file: 25-54
Earlier rating: 26
The Pacers have misplaced seven straight video games and are mired in a 6-21 skid to shut out the season. Guard Tyrese Haliburton did snap out of a mid-March funk with a powerful efficiency final week: three double-doubles and two video games with a minimum of 25 factors. — Collier
27. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 file: 23-56
Earlier rating: 27
Though the Pistons will end the season with one of many worst information within the league, they’ve been a lot improved for the reason that All-Star break, going 10-11 within the second half. They’ve gained simply 23 video games this season, however greater than half of them (13) have come towards groups over .500. — Collier
28. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 file: 23-55
Earlier rating: 28
Aleksej Pokusevski posted his first profession triple-double with a 17-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist efficiency in Sunday’s beautiful win over the Suns. The Thunder are prioritizing, ahem, participant growth down the stretch, so the 20-year-old Pokusevski has seen his minutes improve considerably for the reason that begin of March. He is averaging 12.5 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per sport in that span. — MacMahon
29. Orlando Magic
2021-22 file: 20-59
Earlier rating: 29
Orlando has dropped six in a row and acquired embarrassed in a 30-point blowout Sunday towards the Knicks. Markelle Fultz confirmed some good flashes with 19 factors in 21 minutes throughout Wednesday’s loss to the Wizards. Fultz’s growth over the summer season after lacking many of the yr due to a knee damage is vital to any progress the Magic need to make. — Friedell
30. Houston Rockets
2021-22 file: 20-59
Earlier rating: 30
Jalen Green has joined some Corridor of Fame firm together with his energetic streak of 4 straight 30-point performances. The final two rookies to perform that feat: Allen Iverson in 1996-97 and Michael Jordan in 1984-85. The one different Rockets rookie to have such a scoring run was Elvin Hayes in 1968-69. Inexperienced has six 30-point video games this season, greater than a 3rd of the rookie class’ whole. — MacMahon
