The NBA common season ends Could 16. However we nonetheless have a lot to determine!
Will the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets or Milwaukee Bucks safe the No. 1 seed within the Jap Convention? Can the surging Phoenix Suns outduel the Utah Jazz within the race for the Western Convention’s prime seed?
Can the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers keep away from the play-in match? Can groups such because the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs maintain on to their spots?
Will the New York Knicks actually seize a top-Four seed?
These are a number of questions. The following two weeks will reply all of them. Till then, here is the place our panel sees all 30 groups — every with one thing to play for in the course of the common season’s ultimate stretch.
Word: All through the common season, our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Royce Younger and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from prime to backside, taking inventory of which groups are taking part in the perfect basketball now and which groups are wanting most like title contenders.
Earlier rankings: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Week 18 | Week 19
1. Phoenix Suns
2020-21 document: 46-18
Earlier rating: Three
With their playoff spot already clinched, the one factor left to resolve for the Suns is seeding. And Phoenix is taking pictures for the celebrities. The Suns have their eyes on the highest total seed. If the Suns can beat out the Jazz and take the No. 1 total seed into the playoffs, it is going to be the primary time they’ve completed so since 2005, after they had been ousted within the convention finals. (Phoenix additionally secured the No. 1 total seed in 1981 and 1993.) — Lopez
This week: @CLE, @ATL, NYK, @LAL
2. Utah Jazz
2020-21 document: 46-18
Earlier rating: 1
The race for the NBA’s greatest document and the West’s prime seed may go all the way down to the wire, however it is not the Jazz’s precedence at this level, significantly with the chance of the Lakers and/or Clippers being concerned within the Four-5 matchup. Utah hopes to be totally wholesome going into the playoffs, so they are going to be as affected person as vital with All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell (sprained ankle) and Mike Conley (hamstring tightness). Ideally, the Jazz can have a minimum of a handful of video games down the stretch with their full roster to reestablish rhythm coming into the postseason. — MacMahon
This week: SAS, SAS, DEN, HOU
Three. Philadelphia 76ers
2020-21 document: 43-21
Earlier rating: 5
After surviving an extra time sport in San Antonio on Sunday night time because of a Ben Simmons tip-in, Philadelphia is now one up within the loss column on the Nets — plus the tiebreaker — with eight video games to play, placing the Sixers in prime place to snag the all-important prime seed within the East. One other consider Philadelphia’s favor: Solely one in all its ultimate eight video games (at Miami) comes towards a group within the prime eight of both convention. — Bontemps
This week: @CHI, @HOU, NOP, DET
Four. Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 document: 43-22
Earlier rating: 2
Sunday’s showdown towards the Bucks felt like a playoff sport, however it additionally carried seeding significance. There’s incentive, significantly for the Nets, to maneuver to the No. 1 seed, as a result of meaning the second-round matchup can be the Four-5 winner (presently the Knicks or Hawks), as an alternative of the Three-6 victor (presently the Bucks or Celtics). Milwaukee continues to be inside hanging distance of catching the Nets for the No. 2 seed too, particularly with these groups turning round and taking part in once more on Tuesday. — Younger
This week: @MIL, @DAL, @DEN
5. Denver Nuggets
2020-21 document: 43-21
Earlier rating: 7
Denver continues to defy expectations with out Jamal Murray. Since Murray went down with a season-ending harm, the Nuggets are 9-1. And so they’ve been with out Will Barton and Monte Morris, who could possibly be nearing a return. Nikola Jokic just isn’t solely taking part in just like the MVP, he has his group competing with confidence and composure. Michael Porter Jr. has taken off. The Nuggets dealt with the Clippers once more, and Denver is now within the driver’s seat for the third seed within the West. Avoiding a first-round collection towards the Lakers can be preferrred, however crucial factor for the Nuggets is to get more healthy, preserve Jokic recent and keep their groove heading into the postseason. — Youngmisuk
This week: @LAL, NYK, @UTA, BRK
6. Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 document: 40-24
Earlier rating: 6
By beating Brooklyn on Sunday, the Bucks saved their hopes alive of transferring up from third within the East. Now, they face a large rematch towards Brooklyn on Tuesday in Milwaukee, the place the Bucks can have an opportunity to maneuver inside a sport within the loss column — and seize the tiebreaker. If Milwaukee wins, it stays an actual menace for the second seed (and probably even the highest spot, if Philly falters down the stretch). If Milwaukee loses, it is time to begin resting guys and making ready to complete third, because the Bucks would primarily be down three video games to Brooklyn with seven to play. — Bontemps
This week: BRK, WAS, HOU
7. LA Clippers
2020-21 document: 43-22
Earlier rating: Four
The Clippers have misplaced three straight however none extra stinging than their most up-to-date to Denver. The Nuggets received the season collection and the essential tiebreaker, they usually overtook the Clippers for third place within the West. Seeding probably will probably be vital solely from the standpoint of avoiding a possible first-round matchup with the Lakers. Actually, probably the most important factor for the Clippers over these ultimate seven video games is to outline roles and develop chemistry with Kawhi Leonard again. Patrick Beverley is nearing a return, and Serge Ibaka continues to work his means again. It is crucial for the Clippers to see what they will do at full energy, if just for just a few video games, earlier than the postseason begins. — Youngmisuk
This week:
Eight. New York Knicks
2020-21 document: 36-28
Earlier rating: 10
The Jap Convention’s hottest group has earned itself the within observe to the fourth seed and home-court benefit within the first spherical. New York is 1.5 video games forward of the Hawks and a couple of.5 video games in entrance of the Celtics with eight to play. A troublesome process lies forward starting Monday night time in Memphis: a five-game journey by means of the Western Convention towards playoff groups in Memphis, Denver, Phoenix and each L.A. groups. — Bontemps
This week: @MEM, @DEN, @PHO, @LAC
9. Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 document: 36-28
Earlier rating: Eight
The defending champs are presently in disaster mode. The return of Anthony Davis and LeBron James from accidents hasn’t helped L.A. construct off the momentum the group was capable of muster whereas the celebrities had been sidelined. With eight video games left, the Lakers are in actual hazard of falling to the play-in match, the place their repeat hopes could possibly be dashed in a single or two video games earlier than the playoffs even start. — McMenamin
This week: DEN, @LAC, @POR, PHO
10. Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 document: 36-28
Earlier rating: 9
Heading into Monday’s motion, the Mavericks are locked in a three-way tie for fifth with the Lakers and Blazers in what may turn into probably the most fascinating races within the Western Convention. A kind of three will probably be relegated to the play-in match. And with each sport mattering down the stretch, Dallas cannot afford to lose Luka Doncic for any of them. Doncic received his 14th and 15th technical fouls of the season throughout Sunday’s loss to the Kings; yet one more is an computerized one-game suspension. — MacMahon
This week: @MIA, BRK, CLE, @CLE
11. Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 document: 36-28
Earlier rating: 12
After an ungainly few weeks, the Blazers have righted the ship and have gotten out of the play-in spot. They’ve received 4 straight, all on the street, with CJ McCollum working again to full energy and the function gamers stepping up. For Portland, avoiding the play-in is the precedence; with a good schedule to shut out, likelihood is wanting a lot better than they did every week in the past. — Younger
This week: @ATL, @CLE, LAL, SAS
12. Atlanta Hawks
2020-21 document: 35-30
Earlier rating: 11
When the Hawks fired head coach Lloyd Pierce initially of Could, Atlanta was 11th within the Jap Convention. Quick-forward two months and the turnaround beneath Nate McMillan has been so drastic that the Hawks may discover themselves with home-court benefit within the first spherical. The Hawks, Celtics and Warmth are all wanting up on the Knicks for the No. Four spot — and whoever finishes final amongst that bunch will probably be despatched to the play-in match at No. 7. — Lopez
This week: POR, PHO, @IND
13. Miami Heat
2020-21 document: 35-30
Earlier rating: 13
Miami has received 4 of its previous 5 contests and seems to be rounding into kind heading within the postseason. Kendrick Nunn has had a pleasant stretch lately, averaging 20.Four factors over his previous 5 video games. The identical goes for Bam Adebayo, who’s averaging 19.Four factors, Eight rebounds and 6 assists over his previous 5 outings. The Warmth are tied with the Hawks for the fifth seed within the East and are simply two video games behind the Knicks for the fourth seed and home-court benefit. — Friedell
This week: DAL, MIN, @BOS
14. Boston Celtics
2020-21 document: 34-31
Earlier rating: 14
Whereas Boston needs to be involved about discovering itself within the play-in match after shedding to the Blazers on Sunday night time, of far better concern is the well being of Jaylen Brown, after he and Jayson Tatum collided within the ultimate minute of that defeat and left the sport. Brown was unable to place any weight on his proper leg. Irrespective of how Boston does over these ultimate video games, it has no likelihood of doing something within the playoffs if Brown is not out there. — Bontemps
This week: @ORL, @CHI, MIA
15. Golden State Warriors
2020-21 document: 32-32
Earlier rating: 16
The Warriors come into the ultimate two weeks of the common season sitting half a sport behind the Grizzlies for the eighth spot and half a sport forward of the Spurs for 10th within the Western Convention standings. Stephen Curry would be the purpose no one within the West desires to see the Warriors within the play-in match. Curry comes into Monday’s sport towards the Pelicans because the league chief in scoring at 31.Three factors per sport. — Friedell
This week: @NOP, @NOP, OKC, OKC
16. Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 document: 32-31
Earlier rating: 15
The Grizzlies try to carry off the Warriors and Spurs within the struggle for eighth place within the West, which has turn into loads tighter after Memphis misplaced three of its previous 4. That is a major spot: It assures a group two probabilities of claiming a postseason bid within the play-in match. Memphis is also tinkering with the bench rotation whereas making an attempt to get Jaren Jackson Jr. up to the mark after the franchise cornerstone missed a lot of the season as a consequence of knee surgical procedure. — MacMahon
This week: NYK, @MIN, @DET, @TOR
17. Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 document: 31-33
Earlier rating: 17
Charlotte certain will not be coasting into the play-in match. The Hornets sit half a sport forward of the Pacers for the eighth spot within the Jap Convention and simply two video games forward of the Wizards for 10th. Some nice information: LaMelo Ball (wrist) returned to the ground on Saturday night time for the primary time since March 20 and instantly created highlight-reel moments in a win over the Pistons. — Friedell
This week: @DET, CHI, ORL, NOP
18. Washington Wizards
2020-21 document: 29-35
Earlier rating: 20
Washington is 10-2 in its previous 12 tilts, with its solely losses coming in extra time to San Antonio and by one level to Dallas. By some means, after their COVID-19 outbreak, the Wizards have put themselves in place to a minimum of make the play-in match. That is a fully important week, with two video games towards ninth-place Indiana. Moving into ninth or eighth means doubtlessly dealing with the Hornets or Pacers, reasonably than a possible play-in matchup because the 10th seed towards maybe Miami, Boston or Atlanta. Loads can occur within the ultimate stretch, however this week can have a playoff really feel for Washington towards Indiana twice, Milwaukee and Toronto. — Youngmisuk
This week: IND, @MIL, @TOR, @IND
19. San Antonio Spurs
2020-21 document: 31-32
Earlier rating: 18
With 9 video games remaining, San Antonio will proceed to jockey for place within the West play-in race. It’s going to take a number of work for the Spurs to catch the Path Blazers (or the Mavericks or Lakers) at No. 7, so the race for the No. Eight spot is on. San Antonio must transfer ahead with out Derrick White, whom the group would not count on again this season due to a sprained proper ankle. — Lopez
This week: @UTA, @UTA, @SAC, @POR
20. Indiana Pacers
2020-21 document: 30-33
Earlier rating: 19
Contemporary off of serving Oklahoma Metropolis the worst home loss in NBA history, Indiana can get its focus again on seeding within the play-in race within the East. The Pacers are trailing the Hornets for the eighth seed however have a sport and a half cushion on the Wizards for 10th place. It’s going to be straightforward to catch Charlotte, nevertheless, if the Pacers may proceed to publish franchise data in factors like they did towards the Thunder. Indiana additionally has extra probabilities to have a look at how issues work with Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert on the ground on the similar time. The Pacers are 9-9 this season when each play. — Lopez
This week: @WAS, SAC, ATL, WAS
21. Toronto Raptors
2020-21 document: 27-38
Earlier rating: 21
Sunday night time’s spectacular street win over the Lakers nonetheless leaves Toronto with a really steep hill to climb to make it into the play-in match, because the Raptors are 2.5 video games behind the Wizards with 9 remaining. What’s going to probably matter extra in the long run to the Raptors is the place they end alongside the Bulls and Kings for positions seven by means of 9 within the NBA draft lottery. — Bontemps
This week: @LAC, WAS, MEM
22. New Orleans Pelicans
2020-21 document: 29-35
Earlier rating: 22
The Pelicans’ play-in match hopes could possibly be determined by Tuesday night time. New Orleans has back-to-back video games towards the Warriors beginning Monday night (7:30 ET on ESPN). The Warriors are three video games forward of the Pelicans within the race for the play-in match, and the groups additionally play one another within the penultimate contest of the common season. However two wins by the Warriors this week and New Orleans can begin prepping for the offseason. — Lopez
This week: GSW, GSW, @PHI, @CHA
23. Sacramento Kings
2020-21 document: 27-37
Earlier rating: 24
Two wins in a row, together with Sunday’s victory over the Mavericks, have Sacramento Four.5 video games behind the Spurs — who’ve misplaced three in a row — for the ultimate play-in spot. Doubtlessly hampering that playoff push is Tyrese Haliburton‘s standing after injuring his left knee in the win over the Mavs. — McMenamin
This week: @OKC, @IND, SAS, OKC
24. Chicago Bulls
2020-21 document: 26-38
Earlier rating: 23
The Bulls are three video games behind the Wizards for the ultimate play-in spot within the East. All of the excessive hopes the Bulls had after buying Nikola Vucevic have disappeared. Zach LaVine hasn’t performed since April 14 due to COVID-19 protocols. The Bulls are Four-10 of their previous 14 video games, they usually have a tough stretch in the course of the ultimate two weeks of the season, which incorporates Monday’s sport towards the Sixers and two towards the Nets. — Friedell
This week: PHI, @CHA, BOS, @DET
25. Minnesota Timberwolves
2020-21 document: 20-45
Earlier rating: 28
Despite the fact that they do not have a lot to play for, the Timberwolves are approaching the ultimate few weeks seeking to string some extra victories collectively. They may relaxation starters and attempt to enhance their probabilities at one other top-Three choose, however the Wolves are hoping to start constructing a profitable mentality and momentum into subsequent season. They’re 6-Four over their previous 10 video games and simply put collectively a four-game profitable streak, getting it snapped in extra time towards New Orleans. — Younger
This week: MEM, @MIA, @ORL
26. Cleveland Cavaliers
2020-21 document: 21-43
Earlier rating: 25
The Cavs are nonetheless technically alive within the chase for a play-in spot — trailing No. 10 Washington by eight video games with eight video games left to play. However contemplating Cleveland is 1-9 in its previous 10 whereas the Wizards are Eight-2, it is all however over. And that is merciful, contemplating how bizarre of every week it was for the Cavaliers, with Kevin Love needing to apologize to teammates for carelessly batting a ball in bounds towards the Raptors after which making an attempt zero pictures in 22 minutes two video games later. — McMenamin
This week: PHO, POR, @DAL, DAL
27. Orlando Magic
2020-21 document: 20-44
Earlier rating: 29
Cole Anthony offered the most effective highlights of a troublesome season by knocking down a buzzer-beater to prime the Grizzlies on Saturday night time. Anthony completed with 26 factors. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how the 20-year-old rookie guard pairs with Markelle Fultz subsequent season. The Magic are nicely out of the playoff image and are hoping for some lottery luck; they personal the Bulls’ 2021 first-rounder if it stays out of the highest 4. — Friedell
This week: @DET, BOS, @CHA, MIN
28. Detroit Pistons
2020-21 document: 19-45
Earlier rating: 27
The Pistons’ late-season struggles — they’ve now misplaced 9 out of 12 — do include a silver lining: Detroit is already formally eradicated from postseason rivalry, guaranteeing it’s going to preserve its 2021 first-round choose. The Pistons owe Houston a first-round choose as a part of November’s sign-and-trade deal for Christian Wood, however it’s top-16 protected this yr. Pistons normal supervisor Troy Weaver can have that choice, plus three second-rounders, to work on the rebuild this offseason. — McMenamin
This week: ORL, CHA, MEM, @PHI, CHI
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
2020-21 document: 21-44
Earlier rating: 26
The Thunder’s 57-point loss to the Pacers was most likely the low level of the season, however it actually wasn’t all that stunning of an final result. They have been taking part in fewer and fewer rotation-level NBA gamers, as an alternative approaching the previous couple of weeks with a really developmental and experimental mindset. They’ve made main progress on securing top-Four lottery odds, although; they’re presently fifth worst, and with the Timberwolves rising, issues are wanting up (down?) for OKC. — Younger
This week: SAC, @GSW, @GSW, @SAC
30. Houston Rockets
2020-21 document: 16-49
Earlier rating: 30
It is just about a certainty that the Rockets will end with a bottom-Three document, that means Houston will probably be within the bunch that has the perfect draft lottery odds. The remainder of the season is about creating the Rockets’ younger core, significantly 20-year-old guard Kevin Porter Jr. He grew to become the youngest participant in NBA historical past to document a 50-point double-double in a wide ranging efficiency towards the Bucks final week, a lightning bolt of promise in a thunderstorm of a season. — MacMahon
This week: PHI, @MIL, @UTA