NBA Team Power Rankings: Bucks Stable, Clippers Aim for Playoffs

• 2024-25 Record: 56-12
• Previous Ranking: 1
• Next Games: @ Sacramento Kings (Mar. 19), @ Phoenix Suns (Mar. 21), @ Utah Jazz (Mar. 23), @ Portland Trail Blazers (Mar. 25)

Paolo Banchero’s late basket against Orlando ended the Cavaliers’ 16-game winning streak. Cleveland will play nine of their final 15 games on the road. However, with a significant lead over Boston, their top seed in the East seems secure. They are expected to prioritize player health, as seen with Evan Mobley resting against Orlando due to a foot issue. — Dave McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 56-12
• Previous Ranking: 2
• Next Games: vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Mar. 19), vs. Charlotte Hornets (Mar. 21), @ LA Clippers (Mar. 23), @ Sacramento Kings (Mar. 25)

Oklahoma City has won 10 of their last 11 games, leading the league in scoring efficiency during this stretch, even with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren each missing four games. Seven Thunder players have averaged double-digit points in these 11 games, highlighted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35.9 points per game with impressive shooting percentages. — Tim MacMahon

• 2024-25 Record: 50-19
• Previous Ranking: 3
• Next Games: @ Utah Jazz (Mar. 21), @ Portland Trail Blazers (Mar. 23), @ Sacramento Kings (Mar. 24)

Payton Pritchard set a new NBA record for most 3-pointers made by a reserve in a season, with still a month left to play. Pritchard’s consistent performance off the bench, second only to Jayson Tatum, has made him a strong contender for Sixth Man of the Year. — Tim Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 44-25
• Previous Ranking: 9
• Next Games: @ Orlando Magic (Mar. 19), @ Miami Heat (Mar. 21), vs. Denver Nuggets (Mar. 23), vs. Atlanta Hawks (Mar. 25)

The Rockets extended their winning streak to seven games with a dramatic 25-point comeback against Philadelphia, matching a franchise record. Young players Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green each scored 30 points, contributing to strong performances from Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Dillon Brooks. Coach Ime Udoka acknowledges the team’s inconsistency against weaker opponents. — Michael Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 44-25
• Previous Ranking: 4
• Next Games: @ Los Angeles Lakers (Mar. 19), @ Portland Trail Blazers (Mar. 21), @ Houston Rockets (Mar. 23), vs. Chicago Bulls (Mar. 24)

Following a mixed set against Oklahoma City, the Nuggets had inconsistent performances, including a loss to the Wizards. Despite injuries to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver surprised Golden State with a win on Monday. Aaron Gordon scored 38 points, and Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double. This victory could boost the Nuggets during their road trip. — Ohm Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 43-26
• Previous Ranking: 6
• Next Games: @ Portland Trail Blazers (Mar. 19), @ LA Clippers (Mar. 21), @ Utah Jazz (Mar. 25)

Ja Morant, already playing with a shoulder issue, missed Monday’s game due to hamstring soreness. Memphis has scored 120+ points in five straight games, the NBA’s longest active streak, as they chase the second seed in the West. Desmond Bane has been shooting exceptionally well, and Jaren Jackson Jr. seems fully recovered from a recent injury. — Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 43-24
• Previous Ranking: 7
• Next Games: @ San Antonio Spurs (Mar. 19), @ Charlotte Hornets (Mar. 20), vs. Washington Wizards (Mar. 22), vs. Dallas Mavericks (Mar. 25)

The Knicks’ West Coast trip was eventful, including Jalen Brunson’s ankle injury, Mikal Bridges’ game-winning shot, and a loss to Golden State. They now face an easier part of their schedule, playing the Spurs, Hornets, Wizards, and a weakened Mavericks team, reducing pressure on Brunson’s return, who is expected to be out for at least another week. — Chris Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 40-29
• Previous Ranking: 8
• Next Games: vs. Toronto Raptors (Mar. 20), @ Atlanta Hawks (Mar. 22), @ Miami Heat (Mar. 25)

The Warriors lost to Denver without key Nuggets players, ending a streak of 14 wins in 16 games. After a strong run, a loss was anticipated. Coach Steve Kerr noted Stephen Curry’s exhaustion and need for rest after a poor shooting and turnover performance. Curry is also managing a back issue and missed Tuesday’s game. Following home games, the Warriors have a six-game road trip, including Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami. — Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 42-25
• Previous Ranking: 5
• Next Games: vs. Denver Nuggets (Mar. 19), vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Mar. 20), vs. Chicago Bulls (Mar. 22), @ Orlando Magic (Mar. 24)

Austin Reaves has been performing exceptionally well, averaging 30.8 points, 7 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 2 steals over four games in five nights. Teammate Jordan Goodwin praised Reaves as better than most guards in the league, emphasizing the need for greater recognition of his abilities. — Dave McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 40-30
• Previous Ranking: 11
• Next Games: vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Mar. 19), vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Mar. 21), @ Indiana Pacers (Mar. 24)

The Timberwolves’ eight-game win streak ended in overtime against Indiana, but they are playing well. They had won 13 straight with Julius Randle and have a favorable schedule, facing the Pelicans twice before playing Indiana, offering chances for more wins. They are currently tied with the Warriors for the sixth seed in the West. — Jamal Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 38-30
• Previous Ranking: 10
• Next Games: @ Los Angeles Lakers (Mar. 20), @ Sacramento Kings (Mar. 22), @ Phoenix Suns (Mar. 24)

The Bucks are embarking on their longest road trip of the season, a five-game, ten-day West Coast stretch that began with a loss to Golden State. Milwaukee is shorthanded as center Jericho Sims is sidelined for a month due to wrist surgery. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 38-29
• Previous Ranking: 12
• Next Games: vs. Dallas Mavericks (Mar. 19), vs. Brooklyn Nets (Mar. 20), vs. Brooklyn Nets (Mar. 22), vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Mar. 24)

The Pacers may face the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs again, but they haven’t performed as well against Milwaukee this season. After an 8-3 record against the Bucks last season, Indiana has lost four of five this season. Home-court advantage in the first round is still possible; both teams have the same record, but Milwaukee holds the tiebreaker. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 39-30
• Previous Ranking: 13
• Next Games: vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Mar. 21), vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Mar. 23)

After a poor stretch, the Clippers have won seven of their last eight games, including a win against the Cavaliers. Their March schedule remains challenging, facing Memphis, Oklahoma City, New York, Orlando, and Cleveland again. This stretch is critical for their playoff seeding hopes. The return of Norman Powell and Ben Simmons is a significant boost for their postseason push. — Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 38-31
• Previous Ranking: 14
• Next Games: @ Miami Heat (Mar. 19), @ Dallas Mavericks (Mar. 21), vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Mar. 23), vs. San Antonio Spurs (Mar. 25)

A home loss to the Wizards could be costly for the Pistons in playoff positioning. Detroit is close to the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round. After a loss to Oklahoma City, the Pistons bounced back with a 46-point win over the Pelicans, tying their second-largest franchise victory margin, with strong bench contributions. — Kevin Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 34-33
• Previous Ranking: 15
• Next Games: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Mar. 19), vs. Chicago Bulls (Mar. 20), vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Mar. 22), vs. Boston Celtics (Mar. 24), vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Mar. 25)

Domantas Sabonis’s return was marred by an eye injury and an ankle sprain, forcing him to leave the game early. Despite his absence, the Kings ended their four-game losing streak. Sabonis is expected to miss at least 10 days due to the ankle sprain. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 32-37
• Previous Ranking: 19
• Next Games: vs. Houston Rockets (Mar. 19), @ Washington Wizards (Mar. 21), vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Mar. 24), @ Charlotte Hornets (Mar. 25)

Orlando’s win against Cleveland, ending the Cavaliers’ 16-game winning streak, showcased their potential. They effectively defended Donovan Mitchell and got a crucial 3-pointer from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. These teams might meet again in the first round of the playoffs. While a play-in spot is likely, the Magic could still aim for seventh place to avoid the 8th seed game. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 33-36
• Previous Ranking: 17
• Next Games: vs. Golden State Warriors (Mar. 22), vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Mar. 23), @ Houston Rockets (Mar. 25)

Dyson Daniels is on track to surpass Ricky Rubio’s steal count from 2013-14, potentially leading the NBA in steals for the decade. The Hawks’ defense needs Daniels’s performance, especially against strong offenses like Cleveland or Boston in the playoffs, should they advance from the play-in. — Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 32-37
• Previous Ranking: 16
• Next Games: vs. Chicago Bulls (Mar. 19), vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Mar. 21), vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Mar. 24)

Phoenix hasn’t had consecutive wins in almost two months, with their last streak in January. Since then, they are 8-16. However, they are still in contention for a play-in spot, trailing the Mavericks by one game for the tenth seed with 13 games remaining. — McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 33-36
• Previous Ranking: 18
• Next Games: @ Indiana Pacers (Mar. 19), vs. Detroit Pistons (Mar. 21), @ Brooklyn Nets (Mar. 24), @ New York Knicks (Mar. 25)

P.J. Washington returned impressively after missing two weeks, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against the 76ers. He and Klay Thompson are the only regular starters currently available for the Mavericks, who are dealing with numerous injuries. — MacMahon

• 2024-25 Record: 29-39
• Previous Ranking: 20
• Next Games: vs. Detroit Pistons (Mar. 19), vs. Houston Rockets (Mar. 21), vs. Charlotte Hornets (Mar. 23), vs. Golden State Warriors (Mar. 25)

After their eighth consecutive loss, coach Erik Spoelstra described this period as one of his toughest regular seasons. The Heat have struggled in fourth quarters recently, leading to a drop to the tenth play-in spot in the East. — Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 30-39
• Previous Ranking: 21
• Next Games: vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Mar. 19), vs. Denver Nuggets (Mar. 21), vs. Boston Celtics (Mar. 23), vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Mar. 25)

Despite recent wins against lower-ranked teams, the Blazers are still in the play-in race, trailing the Mavericks and Suns. To stay competitive, they may need upsets during their current homestand against top NBA teams like Boston, Cleveland, Denver, and Memphis, against whom they have a combined 1-6 record this season. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 29-39
• Previous Ranking: 23
• Next Games: @ Phoenix Suns (Mar. 19), @ Sacramento Kings (Mar. 20), @ Los Angeles Lakers (Mar. 22), @ Denver Nuggets (Mar. 24)

After being tenth in the East for 75 days, the Bulls have moved to ninth, ahead of the Heat, positioning themselves to potentially host a play-in game. Chicago is 6-4 in their last 10 and is close to the seventh-seed Hawks. Their season focus has shifted from draft positioning to potentially competing in the play-in tournament. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 28-39
• Previous Ranking: 22
• Next Games: vs. New York Knicks (Mar. 19), vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Mar. 21), @ Toronto Raptors (Mar. 23), @ Detroit Pistons (Mar. 25)

With De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the season, rookie Stephon Castle is now in the spotlight, averaging 22 points in his last three games. While the Spurs aim to win, their playoff chances are slim. This period may be used to experiment with younger players and lineups, focusing on future development around Fox, Wembanyama, and potential new additions. — Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 24-45
• Previous Ranking: 26
• Next Games: @ Golden State Warriors (Mar. 20), vs. San Antonio Spurs (Mar. 23), @ Washington Wizards (Mar. 24)

The Raptors have recently surpassed the Nets and 76ers in the standings due to an easier schedule and may overtake the Spurs. This improvement might reduce their chances of securing a top draft pick to strengthen their young core. — Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 23-45
• Previous Ranking: 24
• Next Games: @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Mar. 19), @ San Antonio Spurs (Mar. 21), @ Atlanta Hawks (Mar. 23), @ New Orleans Pelicans (Mar. 24)

The 76ers are now focused on draft lottery positioning. Quentin