NBA Team Rankings: Philly Flying High

This week we had a number of incredible games including 76ers vs Nuggets and Celtics vs Lakers on Saturday. We saw Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram return to their respective teams from injury. The trade deadline is closing in. Who’s going to be a buyer and who will be a seller? It will be very interesting to see what moves are made over the next couple weeks.

As always, the way I create these rankings is by answering the question: if the playoffs started today, who’s going to win the championship? I answer that question and then continue the rankings by comparing teams until I get to the last one.

1. Boston Celtics (36-15) – last week: 1st

I really debated dropping Boston, but ultimately could not do it. I still like where this team is at and Marcus Smart is supposed be back in the next 1-2 weeks.

2. Philadelphia 76ers (32-16) – last week: 5th

The 76ers have solidified themselves as a title contender in my book. Harden has really thrived as the floor general for this team. He has reduced his shot attempts while averaging 12 assists and only 3.2 turnovers over his last nine games.

3. Denver Nuggets (34-16) – last week: 2nd

Denver went 1-2 this week, although Jokic did not play in the loss to Milwaukee. In their 126-119 loss to Philadelphia, they struggled to contain Joel Embiid. Jokic had 24 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in the loss.

4. Milwaukee Bucks (33-17) – last week: 4th

The Bucks are coming off a dominant 135-110 victory over the Pelicans. Giannis had 50 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (32-18) – last week: 3rd

Memphis went 1-3 this week. In their latest win over the Pacers, Jaren Jackson Jr. had 28 points and 8 rebounds.

6. Golden State Warriors (25-24) – last week: 7th

The Warriors got a huge win over Memphis on Wednesday. Jordan Poole had the game winning layup and finished with 21 points.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-21) – last week: 6th

Cedi Osman made all seven of his threes and finished with 29 points in Cleveland’s route of the shorthanded Clippers Sunday. Great way to bounce back after the loss to Oklahoma City.

8. Los Angeles Clippers (28-25) – last week: 10th

The Clippers won five straight before the loss to Cleveland. In Saturday’s win over Atlanta, Kawhi Leonard had 32 points and 8 rebounds.

9. Miami Heat (28-23) – last week: 9th

Despite a bad loss to Charlotte this week, the Heat impressed in their 98-95 victory over the Celtics on Tuesday. Bam Adebayo had 30 points and 15 rebounds in that one.

10. Sacramento Kings (27-21) – last week: 10th

Sacramento went 1-2 this week. In their latest loss to Minnesota, De’Aaron Fox had 29 points.

11. New York Knicks (27-24) – last week: 12th

The Knicks had two great wins over the Cavaliers and Celtics before losing to the Nets Saturday. Julius Randle scored over 35 points in both wins.

12. Dallas Mavericks (26-25) – last week: 13th

After Luka went down with an ankle injury early in their game against Phoenix on Thursday, the Mavericks were able to put together a nice win on the road. They couldn’t do the same two days later when they fell to Utah 108-100.

13. Brooklyn Nets (30-19) – last week: 14th

Brooklyn won the battle of New York on Saturday after a rough loss to Detroit. Kyrie Irving finished with 32 points and 9 assists in the win over the Knicks.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-25) – last week: 16th

Minnesota has now won three in a row. In their latest win over the Kings, Anthony Edwards had 34 points and 10 rebounds.

15. New Orleans Pelicans (26-25) – last week: 11th

Another rough week for the Pelicans as they have now lost eight straight games. The good news for them is that Brandon Ingram finally returned to action this week.

16. Los Angeles Lakers (23-27) – last week: 19th

The Lakers made a trade for Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis returned this week. Both of those factors obviously make them better as LeBron continues to put up wild numbers. Can they get more shooting before the deadline?

17. Atlanta Hawks (25-25) – last week: 15th

Atlanta lost two of their three games this week. In their latest loss to the Clippers, Trae Young had 31 points and 10 assists.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-25) – last week: 20th

The Thunder continue to surge. They beat the Cavs on Friday 112-100 in a game where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and 8 assists.

19. Phoenix Suns (26-25) – last week: 17th

Phoenix beat San Antonio in overtime in their latest outing. Chris Paul had 31 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds in the win.

20. Utah Jazz (26-26) – last week: 18th

The Jazz beat the Mavericks 108-100 on Saturday. Lauri Markkanen had 29 points in the victory.

21. Portland Trailblazers (23-26) – last week: 21st

No movement for Portland this week. Damian Lillard had a whopping 60 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds in their win on Wednesday, but as a whole the Trailblazers struggle to be consistent.

22. Washington Wizards (23-26) – last week: 24th

The Wizards have now won five straight which means an upcoming losing streak seems likely. In their latest win over New Orleans, Daniel Gafford had 21 points and 12 rebounds.

23. Chicago Bulls (23-26) – last week: 22nd

Chicago is coming off of a lopsided victory over Orlando on Saturday. DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic combined for 90 of the Bulls 128 points.

24. Toronto Raptors (23-28) – last week: 23rd

The Raptors beat the Trailblazers 123-105 on Saturday. In that win, Precious Achiuwa had 27 points and 13 rebounds.

25. Orlando Magic (19-31) – last week: 26th

Orlando may be 19-31, but they beat the Celtics yet again this week. They have beaten them three times this season which is quite impressive, but also strange. Paolo Banchero had 23 points in the win.

26. Indiana Pacers (24-28) – last week: 25th

Indiana continues to struggle without Haliburton. The lost to Memphis in their latest game and Benedict Mathurin had 27 points and 8 rebounds.

27. Charlotte Hornets (15-36) – last week: 28th

The Hornets have won back-to-back games over Chicago and Miami. In their victory over Miami, Terry Rozier had 31 points.

28. San Antonio Spurs (14-36) – last week: 27th

San Antonio lost all four of their games this week, and three of them were by double digits. In their latest loss to the Suns, Jeremy Sochan had 30 points and 8 rebounds.

29. Houston Rockets (12-38) – last week: 30th

Houston got two wins this week including their latest win over Detroit. Eric Gordon had 24 points in the 117-114 victory.

30. Detroit Pistons (13-38) – last week: 29th

Detroit just lost to Houston so like…..shouldn’t they get relegated now?