Official /r/nba Power Rankings #10 (3.11.2024)

[27/30 rankers reporting this week.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17bF–yJIj8G5O32Ii3aQ5QYAsUf45P6q46mKE4JZbKg/edit?usp=sharing) /R/NBA’s Power Rankings are published every two weeks which is a bit different from most rankings. Other than that we rank the teams the same way as our competition. If write ups are left blank the team rep decided not to submit. We encourage any user to fill in the blanks in the comment section.

\# | Team | Δ | Record | Comment |
–: | :– | :– | :-: | :– |
1 | [](/BOS) Celtics | — | – | The Celtics went 4-2 over the hardest stretch of games remaining on their schedule. Going into this stretch, they needed at worst to go 3-3 to still have a realistic chance of getting to 65 wins. Now, there’s 19 games remaining on the schedule and the Celtics sit 49-14, needing to go 16-3 down the stretch. Remaining on the schedule they have two games each against the Wizards, Pistons, Hawks, and Hornets, as well as one game against the Trailblazers and Bulls. Their hardest games remaining are two matchups against the Bucks, home games against the Thunder, Kings, and Knicks, and a road game against the Pelicans. With an eight game lead on 2nd place in the East though, the Celtics likely will end up resting their starters and forgo the chance at 65 wins, even if it’s in reach. The Celtics matchup against the Bucks on April 9th could allow them to influence potential future playoff matchups. With only half a game separating the 2nd and 3rd seed in the East, the Celtics could rest the majority of their players against the Bucks and give them a free win, which could very well keep the Bucks as the 2 seed and ensure the Cavs stay the 3 seed. |
2 | [](/OKC) Thunder | — | – | 2 losses in the last 3 games certainly feels bad especially to what is looked at as lesser competition. That said, this Thunder team has been challenged by teams with elite rim protection (Spurs and Lakers). A deep playoff run will hinge on how we are able to scheme rim protectors out of the paint consistently. |
3 | [](/DEN) Nuggets | +1 | – | Look out, everyone, the champs are here. The Nuggets have been the best team in the NBA since the ASB, earning an 8-1 record and surging to the 2nd seed, just one game behind OKC for the top spot in the West. The starting 5 has found another gear and looked absolutely dominant, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon in particular elevating their games since the break. The oft-maligned bench unit has also been a key to the team’s recent success. Despite the continued struggles to score when Jokic and Murray are both sitting, the second unit has found an identity as a strong defensive unit that can maintain leads. Despite previous comments from Michael Malone that the 1st seed wasn’t a top priority, the team seems to have their sights set on it now, even canceling their scheduled White House visit on March 18th to focus on their matchup at Minnesota on the 19th. Upcoming must-watch games: 13th @ MIA, 17th @ DAL, 19th @ MIN, 21st vs NYK |
4 | [](/MIL) Bucks | +3 | – | |
5 | [](/MIN) TWolves | -2 | – | Post all star break Wolves are banged up and tired as they lost their lead in the Western standings as well as their All Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. 4 back to backs since the break has the Wolves offense lethargic. Need to bet on some luck and growth from their younger players in hopes to keep their head above water in the West. |
6 | [](/LAC) Clippers | — | – | Adam Silver is a cruel and evil man for making this old ass team play 2 games in 22 hours. |
7 | [](/CLE) Cavaliers | -2 | – | In an injury riddled 4-4 stretch since the last rankings, with the heroics of Max Strus and Dean Wade going wild to beat the Mavericks and Celtics, we are losing to bad teams while beating good teams. In those 8 games, the Cavs have had 7 different players lead the team in scoring on the night, Mitchell, Mobley, Garland, Merrill, Wade, Allen and Niang, but the players to highlight in this stretch is Isaac Okoro. If you’ve ever wanted to see a player seem like he’s doing everything right on the court, check out Okoro over this stretch. Incredibly intelligent offensive play which leads to him taking a high percentage shot or dishing when it’s not a look he likes, show-stopping defensive play, and constantly making the hustle play, he’s blossoming into a two-way threat. Okoro is shooting 51.2% from the floor and 42.6% from three in the 2024, Which is opening up his game tremendously as he’s beating closing-out players off the dribble with ease, and punishing lax defense from beyond the arc. While I’m content with his 10ppg on just a 14% usage rate, I’d like to see if he’d sink or swim if he was told to force the issue more offensively. |
8 | [](/NOP) Pelicans | +4 | – | The Pelicans are 5-1 in the last two weeks with the best net rating in the NBA. Needless to say they are starting to click at the right time. Despite being 12-4 since February, they are still just the five seed in the West. At this point the goal remains to avoid the play-in. Helping the cause has been the steady emergence of Herbert Keyshawn Jones. He averaged season highs of 13.6 per game and a +/- of 17.1 in February. This was with a 3P% of .548 and steady All-Defensive effort on the opposite side. One of the strongest themes of the season has been Jones establishing himself as the clear number three player on a loaded roster. The question is starting to move from can they avoid the play-in to can they get out of the first round. |
9 | [](/PHX) Suns | -1 | – | The Suns got Beal back but immediately lost Booker to an ankle sprain. Despite that, they picked up an impressive road win against Denver and played a close game against the lead-leading Celtics at home (a loss). However, they also looked outclassed against OKC and suffered a disappointing loss against the Rockets. Booker is supposed to be back tonight against Cleveland. The Big 3’s health will be critical for the closing stretch of the season and playoffs. |
10 | [](/ORL) Magic | +5 | – | 5 game winning streak propelling us into the 4th seed followed by probably the 2 roughest losses. Really shows just how much this team relies on Jalen Suggs’ defense and a point guard that can manage the flow of an offense. Franz being in a shooting slump of his own doesn’t really help matters either. Luckily the next 5 games are against teams below .500 and 9 of the next 10 at home. Need to capitalize on that en-route to a strong finish to the season. |
11 | [](/NYK) Knicks | -2 | – | We are singlehandedly bringing back the late 90s game. You’re welcome. |
12 | [](/SAC) Kings | -2 | – | This is the time for Kings fans to realize this team is who it is. A slightly above average squad capable of putting up big numbers, but struggle with consistency. As of right now we will be fighting for our life in a play in game. |
13 | [](/DAL) Mavericks | -2 | – | The Mavs have had some ups and downs since the trade: the ups include Dan Gafford and PJ Washington being worth the value surrendered and their talent has noticeably improved. The down is that the team refuses to play any defense, ranking in the bottom 5 of defensive efficiency over the last month. Luckily the offense is still great, with Luka recording 30 point triple doubles every night, while Tim Hardaway Jr struggles to get in rhythm, The Mavs’ playoffs success goes as far as their role players and defense take them. The next 3 week will be a good test for the Mavs, facing Chicago tonight, then Golden State, OKC, and Denver before the schedule softens up for a few games. |
14 | [](/IND) Pacers | -1 | – | Indiana’s recent victory over the Dallas Mavericks came with a price- promising second year guard Bennedict Mathurin suffered a torn labrum and is out for the year. Rookie Ben Sheppard has seen an increase in workload as of late, and Mathurin’s injury almost assures he will continue to get more burn. Contributions from across the board have been key- Indiana is the first team this year to have 9 players score at least 10 points in a single game. The Pacers will need to rely on this balanced scoring moving forward, considering Tyrese Haliburton’s fairly steep offensive drop-off since the Pascal Siakam trade (Check out this post from /u/SonicsRingCeremony: https://np.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1b8y4o7/oc_tyrese_haliburton_isnt_in_a_slump_he_just_isnt/). |
15 | [](/MIA) Heat | -1 | – | A revolving door of injuries is a decent way to describe what the Heat are experiencing this year. Terry Rozier has returned from injury only for Tyler Herro to replace him as the injured guard. However, it hasn’t slowed the Heat too much and they’re actually gaining ground in the Eastern Conference. It’s a tight race between 4-8 but as long as no other key pieces go down with injury they should be able to finish strong. We’ve also added Delon Wright and Patty Mills which at the very least should provide depth as we head towards the finish line of the season. Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr may also become major pieces in helping us push for playoffs as they see more and more minutes. Especially Jovic who started out the year seeing sporadic minutes before growing into a role. Hopefully, we will see a lot more of both in Miami Heat uniforms. |
16 | [](/PHI) 76ers | — | – | Kyle Lowry has really slotted in well for the Sixers since coming in on the buyout market. His ability to run a competent offense and hit some shots from deep really show how badly the Sixers have needed to have some form of a traditional PG. Tobias Harris, on the other hand, looks every bit as done with the Sixers as the fans have been with him. There’s a significant lack of consistency from him that makes you wonder what his value will even be if/when Embiid comes back. The Sixers need to somehow find a way to stay out of the play-in game, but with every loss to a bottom feeder team, that start to look less and less likely. |
17 | [](/LAL) Lakers | +1 | – | |
18 | [](/GSW) Warriors | -1 | – | Steph’s ankle injury is reportedly keeping him out 7-10 days during a crucial point in the schedule where the Warriors were starting to move up the standings. This injury might as well guarantee a play in seed. Even with Klay and Kuminga popping off the Warriors lost by 13 to the Spurs without Wemby and Vassell. |
19 | [](/CHI) Bulls | — | – | The Bulls have had a fairly normal set of games the past 2 weeks. They’ve had close wins over the Cavs, Kings, Warriors, and Jazz, and disappointing, but expected losses against the Clippers and Bucks. However they also lost to the Pistons by 10. Right now, the Bulls are looking towards the play in, with the 6th seed being 5 games ahead, and the 11th seed being 5.5 games back. Though a long losing streak isn’t out of the question for this team. |
20 | [](/HOU) Rockets | +1 | – | …and the entire city of Houston simultaneously let out a big Turkish tear. |
21 | [](/ATL) Hawks | +1 | – | The good: Atlanta has gone 5-3 since Trae went down with an injury. The bad: those wins were against Orlando without Paolo, Utah, Cleveland without Mitchell and Mobley, New York without their top 3 players, and the g-league Grizzlies. Atlanta got embarrassed twice against the Nets and struggled greatly against the pelicans. The ugly: The Hoxpital is in full effect. Trae (our best player), Jalen Johnson (top 3 player and our best prospect), Onyeka Okongwu (our best center), Saddiq Bey (our starting 3), and our entire rookie class (Kobe Bufkin and Seth Lundy are injured, Mo Gueye is on a minutes restriction in the g-league) are all out right now. Dejounte is doing his best to carry the remnants of our roster, but him alone isn’t enough to accomplish that. To top that all off, Atlanta is about to start a 5 game west coast trip with all of those injuries. 2-3 would be a great outcome, but not even a likely one. Things are looking bleak, but the wild thing is unless Brooklyn plays a lot better to close out the season Atlanta is likely going to make the 9-10 play-in game. |
22 | [](/BKN) Nets | +2 | – | |
23 | [](/UTA) Jazz | -3 | – | The kids are alright. With play-in hopes all but a distant memory it’s the flashes of potential that have been pleasing for Jazz fans as of late. Keyonte George has scored 29+ in three of his last eight games, Brice Sensabaugh has 15+ pts on 60%+ FG in back to back career starts and Taylor Hendricks is putting up 9/7 in 25mpg in his 6 games in the main lineup. The growth of these three 20 year olds is certainly going to shape the Jazz’s future, as after losing 10 of 12 games, the team finds itself with a bottom 10 record in the league. |
24 | [](/TOR) Raptors | -1 | – | As I saw a comment somewhere, but I miss the days when then Raptor’s had a deeper bench. Where a few injury reports didn’t hurt. Boucher’s inspired play the last couple of games is to be noted. Noted for me scratching my head why he didn’t get much run at some points this abysmal season. |
25 | [](/POR) Trail Blazers | +2 | – | Portland is cobbling together healthier teams again, and with it has come much more respectable play. Ayton particularly stood out in his return, putting up an impressive 30p/19r performance in a win against Toronto. Another interesting storyline has been the emergence of Dalano Banton, who has is averaging 14.2/4.5/2.5 on 44/39/65 splits over his last 11 games. Even more impressive, he’s averaging 21.5/6.8/4.5 on 41/40/67 shooting splits since entering the starting lineup four games ago. |
26 | [](/MEM) Grizzlies | -1 | – | GG WENT FOR 30 |
27 | [](/SAS) Spurs | +1 | – | |
28 | [](/CHA) Hornets | -2 | – | We’re unwatchable again. How sad. At least Jeff Peterson is confirmed as the new GM and building out the front office for the new era. Less said about the on court injury situation the better. The offense is grim. We lost to the fucking Wizards on a 16 game losing streak and are 3.5 underdogs in Detroit tonight. We have a -10 point differential net rating. For that, we go #30, and there we shall stay. |
29 | [](/DET) Pistons | — | – | [Troy Weaver beefin with fans](https://np.reddit.com/r/DetroitPistons/comments/1bbcuw0/troy_weaver_has_an_interaction_with_a_fan_at_last/) is just another black eye on this season. I want to get off of Mr. Bones Wild Ride. |
30 | [](/WAS) Wizards | — | – | The Washington Wizards are on a two gaming winning streak — the longest active stream in the east right now — while also being eliminated from NBA Playoff contention. If you don’t like that, you don’t like Washington Wizards basketball. We’re fucking back. |

by powerrankingsnba