Just when it seemed like we could see some significant change at the top of the NBA standings, everything went back to normal. The Golden State Warriors clinched the best record in the association. The Cleveland Cavaliers have maintained top spot in the Eastern Conference and appear on track to clinch home advantage all the way up to the NBA Finals. Most importantly, it once again seems very likely that the Spurs and Cavaliers will meet with the title on the line once again this June. Here is a look at the NBA top five power rankings for this week.
1. Golden State Warriors (65-14)
Last Week: 1
NBA Championship Odds: -140
Steve Kerr’s decision to rest his stars in a 107-85 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the tail end of a three-game slide back on March 11th looks like genius now. Golden State has won 13 in a row while picking up wins over San Antonio, Houston and Oklahoma City in the process. The Warriors have maintained the highest scoring offense in the NBA even without Kevin Durant and his looming return will only make them that much more dangerous. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Golden State has adjusted defensively with the league’s best defensive efficiency rating over the course of the streak. The Warriors have proven that they can win in more ways than one. There is no doubt that Stephen Curry and company deserve to be alone at the top of the NBA power rankings heading in to the postseason.
2. San Antonio Spurs (60-18)
Last Week: 2
NBA Championship Odds: +250
The Spurs seemed destined to secure another win over Golden State when they took a 22-point first quarter lead against them at home. However, San Antonio fell apart and ended up losing the game by 12. That means the Spurs are destined to finish second in the Western Conference for the second year in a row. Clearly their lack of urgency was on display in a 102-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Manu Ginobili, Danny Green and Dejounte Murray all rested against the Lakers and that will likely be the theme until the playoffs. San Antonio has clinched back-to-back 60-win seasons for the first time under Gregg Popovich. Now comes the tough test of finding a way to beat Golden State in the playoffs.
3. Houston Rockets (53-25)
Last Week: 3
NBA Championship Odds: +1800
Houston’s three-game slide is even more concerning when you consider that two of its losses were against the Warriors. The Rockets took the first meeting between those teams in double overtime but have lost three straight in the series since. Meanwhile, Houston is on pace to play San Antonio in the second round of the playoffs. The Rockets also took the first meeting against the Spurs, only to drop three straight in the series since. James Harden has produced an MVP-caliber season but he is going to need more help come playoff time. Houston is one of the most talented teams in the NBA. The problem is that they will likely have to beat the Thunder, Spurs, Warriors and Cavaliers in order to win an NBA title.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-27)
Last Week: 4
NBA Championship Odds: +250
After reaching a low point with losses to Washington, San Antonio and Chicago to fall to 6-10 in the month of March, the Cavaliers have turned things around. Cleveland has won four straight with victories over Philadelphia, Indiana, Orlando and Boston. They are back in control of their path to the No. 1 seed with a back-to-back set against Atlanta followed by a trip to Miami before their season finale at home against Toronto. LeBron James sent a message with 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Cleveland’s win over the Celtics. Now the Cavaliers are one game up in the standings and they own the potential tiebreaker.
5. Boston Celtics (50-29)
Last Week: 5
NBA Championship Odds: +1400
The Celtics have nobody else to blame but themselves for failing to lock up the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Nobody will fault them for a loss to Cleveland on Wednesday night. However, it’s much harder to look past losses to Phoenix, Philadelphia and Milwaukee in the month of March, as well as the loss at Atlanta on Thursday. Boston could still finish first if they can run the table on their remaining schedule and get some help from the teams that play the Cavaliers. However, the Celtics are dealing with more pressing issues including their play against LeBron and company in their latest meeting. Boston’s offense looked terrible against Cleveland and LeBron absolutely dominated at the other end of the floor. After pushing the Cavaliers for the top seed, it’s clear that nothing has changed at this point and the Celtics are still the second-best team in the Eastern Conference.
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