The Oklahoma City Thunder have just 12 losses, 14 fewer than every other team in the Western Conference.

They’re a young team, but the Thunder have been so dominant (still holding the best point differential in NBA history) that it would be a huge surprise if they didn’t reach the Western Conference Finals.

Who they could face there is anybody’s guess. With two weeks left in the season, six games in the loss column separate the second-place Houston Rockets from the eighth-place LA Clippers. There’s no telling what the first-round matchups will be or which teams will end up on the opposite side of the bracket from Oklahoma City, and there’s reason to believe in any of the other seven teams as the one that could win (at least) two series.

Every team between the Rockets and Clippers could go up or down in the next two weeks, especially because there are still 12 games to be played between teams 2-8 in the West. The Rockets and sixth-place Golden State Warriors will each play in five of those games, while the Denver Nuggets will have four. Those games will go a long way in determining who plays who in the first round (and which two teams will have to go through the Play-In), but they’ll also be potential playoff previews.

Note: With their results not mattering much, we continue to recap the season for the bottom five teams in the East and the bottom four in the West. This week’s notes for those teams will focus on their defense, with offensive notes having come last week.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Bam Adebayo (MIA) was a plus-68 in three games last week.
Wrong Way: Ziaire Williams (BKN) was a minus-72 in four games last week.
Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Miami (3-0) — Never count out the Heat.
Something Just Ain’t Right: Milwaukee (0-4) — The good news is that the Bucks probably can’t slide any further.
* * *

East vs. West

The West is 232-184 (.558) against the East in interconference games, clinching a winning record (for the 23rd time in the last 26 seasons) on Thursday, though the East was 15-13 last week.
Schedule strength through Week 23

Toughest: 1. Utah, 2. New Orleans, 3. Minnesota
Easiest: 1. Cleveland, 2. New York, 3. Orlando
Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.
* * *

Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Houston (+4), Dallas (+3), Orlando (+3)
Free falls of the week: Phoenix (-4), Milwaukee (-3), Philadelphia (-3), Portland (-3)
* * *

Week 24 Team to Watch

Houston — The Rockets have won 12 of their last 13 games and sit in second place in the West. But none of those 12 wins have come against teams that have winning records, so they’ll be tested as they face the Lakers (Monday, 10 p.m. ET on TNT), Thunder and Warriors this week.
* * *

Previously…

Last week: Thunder at No. 1; Rockets, Clippers rise in Top 10
The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 113.7 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.6 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Week:1
Record: 62-12

OffRtg: 119.1 (4) DefRtg: 106.1 (1) NetRtg: +13.0 (1) Pace: 100.7 (8)

The Thunder aren’t slowing down and now lead the Cavs by three games in the loss column for the league’s best record overall. They’ve won nine straight, with six of the nine wins having come against teams with winning records.

Three takeaways

The Thunder have the best record (24-8) in games played between the 12 teams that are at least 10 games over .500 and are now 20-5 against the other nine teams that rank in the top 10 offensively, having allowed just 108.1 points per 100 possessions over those 25 games. Those nine teams have scored 117.8 per 100 otherwise.
Jalen Williams returned from a seven-game absence on Thursday, when the Thunder started their big lineup – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein – against the Thunder. Relative to the Thunder’s overall numbers, that lineup has been better offensively (125.1 points scored per 100 possessions) than defensively, though it’s still played just 116 minutes.
With their win over the Pacers on Saturday (in which they held a great offense to just 111 points on 105 possessions), the Thunder are 27-1 (13-0 at home) against the Eastern Conference, clinching no worse than a tie for the best interconference record in NBA history (three teams hold it at 27-3). They’ll complete their interconference schedule with visits from the Bulls and Pistons early this week.
After that, they’ll play their fifth and final meeting with the second-place Rockets, with Gilgeous-Alexander having averaged 36 points as the Thunder have won three of the first four.

Week 24: vs. CHI, vs. DET, @ HOU, vs. LAL

Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Week:2
Record: 60-15

OffRtg: 121.5 (1) DefRtg: 111.9 (8) NetRtg: +9.7 (2) Pace: 100.4 (9)

The Cavs suffered another road loss on Friday, getting beaten by the Pistons on the break and at the basket. But they got a quality win at home two days later to maintain a four-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the East.

Three takeaways

Their win over the Clippers on Sunday gave the Cavs their third 60-win season in franchise history. They’ve seen the league’s third biggest jump in both winning percentage and point differential per 100 possessions from last season, with the much bigger improvement having come on offense. They’ve now scored 7.9 more points per 100 possessions than the league average, which would be the fourth best differential for any team in the 29 seasons of play-by-play data.
Rebounding has been an issue. The win over the Clippers also ended a streak of eight straight games in which the Cavs grabbed less than 70% of available defensive rebounds. For the season, they’ve seen the league’s fourth biggest drop in defensive rebounding percentage (-2.2%), a reminder that they’ve had serious rebounding issues in the playoffs each of the last two years.
The Cavs have had their full starting lineup in just four of their last 11 games, but it did eclipse the 200-minute mark on Sunday. It’s outscored opponents by 12.0 points per 100 possessions, the third best mark among the 24 lineups that have played at least 200 total minutes.
Four of the Cavs’ seven remaining games are against New York and Indiana, and they’ll have a rest advantage (after two days off) when the Knicks visit Cleveland on Wednesday. The Cavs (6-0) are one of three undefeated teams – Boston and Denver are the others – in rest-advantage games this season.

Week 24: vs. NYK, @ SAS, vs. SAC

Boston Celtics
Last Week:3
Record: 55-19

OffRtg: 119.7 (2) DefRtg: 110.3 (5) NetRtg: +9.4 (3) Pace: 97.0 (27)

With an eight-game winning streak, the Celtics have clinched no worse than the 2 seed in the East and have the Cavs still needing to keep their foot on the gas.

Three takeaways

The Celtics won 12 straight quarters before getting outscored (30-27) in the fourth in San Antonio on Saturday. The three best teams in the league have all been at their best (plus-15.5 per 100 possessions or better) in the first quarter, when Boston has allowed just 105.4 points per 100 possessions.
The first-quarter offense was also kind of ridiculous (141.6 points scored per 100) over their five-game trip out West. Overall, it was the Celtics’ best stretch of offense since early January, even though Derrick White was the only one of their top eight guys who played in all five games. They’ve taken an incredible 56.8% of their shots from 3-point range over the last three weeks.
Seven of the eight games on this winning streak have been on the road, but all eight wins have come against teams that are currently below .500. The Celtics have won their last 15 games, scoring 123.5 points per 100 possessions, against that currently-below-.500 group. They’re a league-best 22-2 (with 13 straight wins) against that group on the road.
Six of the Celtics’ eight remaining games will come against that currently-below-.500 group, with the two exceptions both coming on the road. The first of the two is Monday in Memphis, with the Grizzlies having won the first meeting in December.

Week 24: @ MEM, vs. MIA, vs. PHX, vs. WAS

Houston Rockets
Last Week:8↑
Record: 49-26

OffRtg: 114.9 (11) DefRtg: 109.7 (4) NetRtg: +5.2 (4) Pace: 98.9 (19)

The Rockets have won 12 of their last 13 games and are two games ahead of the third-place Nuggets in the West.

Three takeaways

The Rockets rank in the top five on both ends of the floor over the 12-1 stretch, with the bigger improvement obviously coming on offense. The improvement has been mostly about shooting (both in the paint and outside it), but the Rockets have also somehow been a better offensive rebounding team over these last 13 games (offensive rebounding percentage of 38.4%) than they were prior (36.2%).
The Rockets (46.1%) shot worse than the Jazz (54.4%) on Thursday, but had seven fewer turnovers and 15 more offensive rebounds. It was their 20th win (they’re 20-23) in games in which they had a lower field goal percentage than their opponents, with that total tied (with two Raptors teams that also employed Fred VanVleet) for the most for any team in the last six seasons.
All 12 of the wins in this stretch have come against teams with losing records, and the Rockets’ last win over a team that’s currently over .500 was Feb. 25 vs. Milwaukee. They still have some work to do to secure the 2 seed, with six of their remaining seven games within the top eight in the West. They’re 12-10 (third best) within the top eight, but have lost five of their last six games against the group, having allowed more than 121 points per 100 possessions over those five losses.
Two of their last seven games are at Crypto.com Arena, where the Rockets will be at a rest disadvantage on Monday. Their only meeting against the Lakers (a four-point win) was Jan. 5, when the Lakers were a much different team.

Week 24: @ LAL, vs. UTA, vs. OKC, @ GSW

Golden State Warriors
Last Week:4↓
Record: 43-31

OffRtg: 113.8 (16) DefRtg: 111.0 (7) NetRtg: +2.7 (10) Pace: 99.6 (16)

The Warriors began a six-game trip by losing two straight for the first time since the trade deadline, getting clobbered in Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami. But they then got Stephen Curry back and took care of business in New Orleans and San Antonio over the weekend, climbing back into sixth place in the West.

Three takeaways

In only three of Stephen Curry’s first 15 seasons did the Warriors average more shooting opportunities than their opponents, and all three came with very small differentials: +0.1 in 2010-11, +0.1 in ’19-20 and +0.2 last season. But this year, the Warriors have averaged 3.7 more shooting opportunities than their opponents, the league’s fourth best differential. And that’s been plus-5.8 per game (best in the league) over the 23 games since Butler first suited up.
That differential starts with the Warriors continuing to win the turnover battle almost every night. They’ve committed fewer turnovers than their opponent in 20 of their last 25 games, with a differential of 29 (65-94) over their last five. Butler’s assist/turnover ratio with Golden State (3.73) is down from his 25 games with Miami (4.00), but would still be the highest mark of his career.
Rebounds also help, and the Warriors are one of two teams – the Pistons are the other – that rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. They’ve outscored their opponents by 43 points on second chances over their last three games.
The last game of the Warriors’ six-game trip (Thursday in L.A.) is the start of a stretch of five games in seven days. They’ll be at a rest disadvantage the following night against the Nuggets, one of three undefeated teams in rest-advantage games.

Week 24: @ MEM, @ LAL, vs. DEN, vs. HOU

Denver Nuggets
Last Week:6
Record: 47-28

OffRtg: 119.1 (3) DefRtg: 115.0 (20) NetRtg: +4.1 (8) Pace: 100.8 (5)

After going 2-3 over Nikola Jokić’s five-game absence, the Nuggets got the reigning MVP back on Wednesday and got two straight wins for the first time in three weeks.

Three takeaways

The Nuggets scored more than 125 points per 100 possessions in the wins over Milwaukee and Utah, including 76 on 57 (1.33 per) in Jokić’s 26 minutes off the floor. After a 1-for-10 performance in Chicago on Monday, Michael Porter Jr. shot 10-for-15 from 3-point range over the two games. He continues to have a huge effective field goal percentage differential in wins (63.9%) vs. losses (52.5%).
With Jamal Murray out against the Jazz on Friday, Peyton Watson was in the starting lineup instead of Russell Westbrook, with Christian Braun the nominal point guard. The starting lineup outscored Utah by 20 points in less than 20 minutes and Watson blocked at least three shots for the third straight game. He continues to be a pretty reticent 3-point shooter (just 3.0 attempts per 36 minutes), but has shot 32-for-70 (45.7%) from the corners, up from 29% last season.
The Nuggets’ continue to flourish on the break, now averaging 20.0 fast break points per game, up from 14.3 last season and the most for any team in the last six seasons. They’ve outscored their opponents on fast breaks in 11 of their last 13 games, with double-digit advantages in each of their last three wins.
The Nuggets have scored just a point per possession as they’ve lost their last five games against the Wolves, going back to Game 6 of the Western Conference finals last year. They’ll look to avoid the season sweep on Tuesday, with another potential playoff preview coming at Golden State three nights later.

Week 24: vs. MIN, vs. SAS, @ GSW, vs. IND

Los Angeles Lakers
Last Week:5↓
Record: 45-29

OffRtg: 114.5 (13) DefRtg: 113.8 (15) NetRtg: +0.7 (14) Pace: 98.6 (20)

The Lakers split a pair of thrillers last week before getting a huge win in Memphis to remain in the top four in the West.

Three takeaways

LeBron James beat the Pacers at the buzzer on Wednesday and then committed the brutal turnover that allowed the Bulls to come back from five points down with less than 12 seconds left two nights later. While the Lakers have a point differential (that of a 39-35 team) that belies their actual record, they have nearly the same record in clutch games (22-14, fifth best) as they do otherwise (23-15).
The Lakers had the league’s No. 1 defense for a two month stretch, but have allowed 126.1 points per 100 possessions over their last five games, their worst five-game stretch of defense this season. Three of those five games came against the Bulls (20th on offense) and Magic (27th).
They were efficient enough on the other end of the floor to beat the Grizzlies on Saturday, when James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves combined for 85 points and 25 assists. L.A. has still been outscored by 7.0 points per 100 possessions (with sub-par offensive numbers) in 270 total minutes with all three on the floor.
The win in Memphis improved the Lakers to 13-8 (second best) in games played between the top eight teams in the West. They’ve got five more games against that group and their game against the Warriors on Thursday is the start of a stretch of five games in seven days.

Week 24: vs. HOU, vs. GSW, vs. NOP, @ OKC

Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Week:7↓
Record: 43-32

OffRtg: 115.2 (9) DefRtg: 110.7 (6) NetRtg: +4.5 (6) Pace: 98.2 (24)

The Wolves remain in a tight battle for a top-six spot in the West. After losing to the Pacers for the second time in eight days, they came home and picked up important weekend wins over Phoenix and Detroit.

Three takeaways

Through their first 71 games, the Wolves had outscored their opponents 32 total points in the restricted area. Over their last four games, they’re a plus-102 at the basket, with the much bigger difference coming on offense, where Rudy Gobert has averaged 16.8 points over the four games. His 16 field goal attempts against Detroit on Sunday were tied for the second most in 892 career games (including postseason).
The Wolves’ best frontcourt continues to be Gobert and Naz Reid, with Minnesota having outscored opponents by 11.0 points per 100 possessions in their 862 minutes together. That includes a mark of plus-32.8 per 100 in 120 minutes since the All-Star break.
We seemingly have four teams – Memphis, Golden State, Minnesota and the LA Clippers – fighting for the the final two guaranteed playoffs spots in the West. Of that group, the Clippers have the most games remaining (6) against teams currently under .500, though the Wolves have the easiest remaining schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage, because four of their seven games are against the Nets (x 2), Sixers and Jazz.
There are just two weeks left in the season, but the Wolves have yet to have their longest road trip. It’s five games over 10 days, begins Tuesday in Denver, and includes visits to Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

Week 24: @ DEN, @ BKN, @ PHI

LA Clippers
Last Week:9
Record: 42-32

OffRtg: 113.6 (18) DefRtg: 109.6 (3) NetRtg: +4.0 (9) Pace: 98.5 (22)

A 10-2 stretch took the Clippers into sixth place in the West, but they dropped back down to eighth with a loss in Cleveland on Sunday.

Three takeaways

The Clippers ranked 21st offensively through March 2, but have had the league’s second most efficient offense (123.3 points scored per 100 possessions) over the last four weeks. Prior to Sunday, they had shot 50% or better from 3-point range in four of their last six games.
With that, they’re another solid offensive game or two from being a better-than-average offensive team. The Clippers have scored 120.3 per 100 in 381 total minutes with James Harden, Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac on the floor together, though what would seemingly be their best offensive lineup (with Bogdan Bogdanović as the fifth guy) has played just 14 total minutes over five games.
After averaging just 11.8 points on 40% shooting over his first six games back from an extended absence, Powell busted out (34 points on 13-for-24) in the loss in Cleveland. But the Clips were outscored by 14 points in his 8:37 on the bench.
Their loss in Cleveland was the start of the Clippers’ second (and final) stretch of five games in seven days. But Leonard sat that game out, so he should be available for their visit to Orlando on Monday, the start of a stretch of five straight games against teams with losing records. The Clips have won their last four games against that group by an average of 26.3 points.

Week 24: @ ORL, vs. NOP, vs. DAL, vs. DAL

New York Knicks
Last Week:10
Record: 47-27

OffRtg: 117.6 (5) DefRtg: 113.4 (13) NetRtg: +4.2 (7) Pace: 97.9 (26)

Cameron Payne was added to the list of injured Knicks guards last week, but they’ve won four of their last five games to maintain a firm grip on the 3 seed in the East.

Three takeaways

Overall, the Knicks offense has been worse over Jalen Brunson’s 12-game absence (114.6 points scored per 100 possessions) than it was through their first 62 games (118.2 per 100). But their four games last week (121.6 per 100) were their best stretch on that end of the floor since the All-Star break. And two of those games came against teams – the Clippers and Bucks – that rank in the top 11 defensively.
The Knicks have averaged 332 passes per 24 minutes of possession and recorded assists on 68.2% of their field goals (seventh in the league) over Brunson’s 12-game absence, up from 303 per 24 and 62.2% (20th) through their first 62 games.
OG Anunoby appears to like the new offense, averaging 28.3 points on 56/41/97 shooting splits over the last six games, with 74% of his field goals having been assisted. That shooting includes 10-for-15 on corner 3-pointers, with Anunoby now fourth in total corner 3s for the season, trailing league-leader Mikal Bridges by 14.
The Knicks are one of three teams – the Hawks and Clippers are the others – with three back-to-backs still left on their schedule. Two of their three are this week and they’ll be at rest disadvantages in Cleveland on Wednesday and again against the Suns over the weekend.

Week 24: vs. PHI, @ CLE, @ ATL, vs. PHX

Indiana Pacers
Last Week:12↑
Record: 43-31

OffRtg: 115.4 (8) DefRtg: 113.8 (16) NetRtg: +1.6 (13) Pace: 100.7 (7)

The Pacers are still in fourth place in the East, though their defense struggled in losses to top-four teams in the West last week.

Three takeaways

The Pacers scored 162 points on 102 possessions (158.8 per 100) in their win in Washington on Thursday, voluntarily taking shot-clock violations on their last three possessions. It was still the second most efficient performance for any team in any game in the 29 seasons for which we have play-by-play data, with the only performance that tops it (the Clippers’ 152 on 94 against Toronto in 1998) having come more than 27 years ago.
But Indiana allowed 126 per 100 over their losses to the Lakers and Thunder last week, with the opponents combining to shoot 34-for-74 (46%) from 3-point range. The Pacers still have the league’s fifth lowest opponent 3-point rate (40.4% of their opponents’ shots), but have seen the biggest jump from last season (32.7%, lowest by a wide margin).
The Pacers are still one of six teams with winning records (16-15) in games played between the 14 teams that are currently over .500, having picked up an impressive win (and completing a season sweep) over the Wolves last Monday. Tyrese Haliburton had 11 assists and just one turnover in that one and now has an assist/turnover ratio of 5.61, which would be the second highest mark for a player who’s averaged eight assists or more in at least 50 games in the 48 seasons that turnovers have been counted.
The Pacers hold the tie-breaker over the fifth-place Pistons and have the easier remaining schedule, with two of their three remaining games against teams currently over .500 against the Cavs in the final week.

Week 24: vs. SAC, vs. CHA, vs. UTA, @ DEN

Detroit Pistons
Last Week:14↑
Record: 42-33

OffRtg: 114.6 (12) DefRtg: 112.0 (9) NetRtg: +2.6 (11) Pace: 100.3 (10)

The Pistons won the first three games of Cade Cunningham’s current absence (four games), beating the Cavs on Friday and climbing into fifth place in the East. But they went on the road and lost in Minnesota over the weekend.

Three takeaways

Those first three games without Cunningham were easily the Pistons’ best stretch of offense this season, just the second, third and fourth times they’ve scored more than 130 points per 100 possessions. Eight Pistons averaged double-figures over the three games, with Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 32 points (including 7-for-11 from 3-point range) against the Cavs being the highlight.
The hot offense continued through the first quarter (34 points on 24 possessions) in Minnesota on Sunday. Then the Pistons scored just 70 on 72 over the final 36 minutes, blowing a 16-point lead with three guys getting ejected midway through the second period. (Yes, Isaiah Stewart and Ron Holland II were two of the three.) That ended a streak of 15 straight wins in games that the Pistons led after the first quarter.
The Pistons have been the league’s most improved defensive team, allowing 6.0 fewer points per 100 possessions than they did last season (118.0, 25th). But they still rank in the top five in fouls per 100 possessions for the fifth straight season.
The loss in Minnesota was game two in a stretch where the Pistons are playing six of seven against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively. Next (after two days off) is their second game against the Thunder in a span of 19 days, with the two teams having combined to score just 105.3 points per 100 possessions in the Thunder’s six-point win on March 15.

Week 24: @ OKC, @ TOR, vs. MEM

#13

Memphis Grizzlies
Last Week:13
Record: 44-30

OffRtg: 117.5 (6) DefRtg: 112.6 (12) NetRtg: +4.9 (5) Pace: 103.9 (1)

The Grizzlies had been on a slide and just got wiped out in the final 7 1/2 minutes in Oklahoma City on Thursday, but it was still stunning that Taylor Jenkins was fired the next day, with only nine games left in the regular season.

Three takeaways

The Grizzlies were the league’s fifth best defensive team over Jenkins’ five full seasons as head coach. If you count this season, he also accounts for four of the 10 times in franchise history that they’ve had a better-than-average offense.
With their losses to the Thunder and Lakers last week, the Grizzlies continue to have the worst record (6-16, with six straight losses) in games played between the top eight teams in the West. They’ve scored just 110.8 points per 100 possessions over those 22 games, though the other end of the floor was the bigger issue against L.A. on Saturday.
Interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo put Zach Edey back in the starting lineup (after three games off the bench) on Saturday, when Ja Morant also returned from a six-game absence. The numbers have generally been terrific (plus-8.7 points per 100 possessions) when Jaren Jackson Jr. has shared the frontcourt with Edey, Santi Aldama or Brandon Clarke, or even with two of the three (plus-14.6 per 100 possessions in 166 total minutes).
The Grizzles have three more games within the top eight in the West, and they’ll be at a rest disadvantage in two of the three. The first of those rest-disadvantage games is Tuesday against the sixth-place Warriors, who they lead by one game.

Week 24: vs. BOS, vs. GSW, @ MIA, @ DET

#14
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week:11↓
Record: 40-34

OffRtg: 114.2 (15) DefRtg: 112.6 (11) NetRtg: +1.6 (12) Pace: 100.1 (13)

After winning the first two games of Damian Lillard’s absence, the Bucks have lost four straight, sliding to sixth place in the East.

Three takeaways

The losing streak has been the Bucks’ worst stretch of defense (126.5 points allowed per 100 possessions) since the All-Star break. Their opponents haven’t been shooting exceptionally well (or a lot) from 3-point range, but they just don’t turn teams over and they haven’t been rebounding as well as they usually do.
If they remain the No. 6 seed, the Bucks are looking at a first round series with the Knicks, against whom the Bucks went 0-3 this season. They shot much more effectively than New York on Friday, but, thanks to big turnover and rebound differentials, had 17 fewer shooting opportunities. They’ve averaged 3.3 fewer than their opponents (fifth worst discrepancy) for the season, the third straight year they’ve been in the bottom six.
The Bucks are now just 8-9 when they’ve had only one of Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo, with five of those nine losses having come against teams – Atlanta (x 2), Charlotte, Chicago and Phoenix – that are currently below .500.
The Bucks will play five of their next six games against that below-.500 group, with two of those five coming against the Pelicans. They’ll be at a rest disadvantage in New Orleans on Sunday.

Week 24: vs. PHX, @ PHI, @ MIA, @ NOP

#15
Orlando Magic
Last Week:18↑
Record: 36-39

OffRtg: 108.5 (27) DefRtg: 109.2 (2) NetRtg: -0.7 (18) Pace: 96.6 (29)

The Magic blew a double-digit, second-half lead against Dallas on Thursday, but have won four of their last five games and remain in the top eight in the East.

Three takeaways

Though they scored less than a point per possession against the Mavs, the last five games have been the Magic’s best stretch of offense (117.3 points per 100) since November. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner haven’t shot well from 3-point range, but have combined to average 54.2 points and 9.0 assists over the five games.
The Magic are the only team with two players with a usage rate of 30% or higher, though Wagner (55.7%) and Banchero (55.5%) rank eighth and 10th in true shooting percentage among the 11 players in the 30-and-higher group. Banchero’s 55.5% is the highest mark of his career, and he’s at 62.4% over the last 15 games.
It was noted in this space last week that the Magic bench hasn’t been nearly as good as it was last season, but Anthony Black has provided a lift over this 4-1 stretch, averaging 14.4 points on an effective field goal percentage of 62%. Black actually ranks third on the team in total minutes this season, though he hasn’t started nearly as many games (nine) as he did as a rookie (33).
The Magic have three games remaining against teams with winning records, and they’ll have rest advantages in two of the three, including Monday against the Clippers.

Week 24: vs. LAC, @ SAS, @ WAS

#16
Atlanta Hawks
Last Week:15↓
Record: 36-38

OffRtg: 113.2 (19) DefRtg: 114.7 (18) NetRtg: -1.5 (19) Pace: 103.6 (2)

The Hawks had a chance to get back to .500 last week, but lost the first two games of a three-game trip before getting a comfortable win in Milwaukee on Sunday.

Three takeaways

The Hawks have scored 126.4 points per 100 possessions over their last six games, their best stretch of offense this season. Seven Hawks have averaged double-figures over that stretch, with the highest-scoring performance coming from Zaccharie Risacher. The rookie scored a career-high 36 points on Sunday and now has an effective field goal percentage of 62.3% over his 27 games since missing seven of eight in late January.
On the other end of the floor, the Hawks have been fouling too much. They’ve been outscored by 50 points at the line over those same six games, with their opponents registering a free throw rate of 34.1 attempts per 100 shots from the field. Dominick Barlow (in the rotation with Clint Capela out) has committed 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes over that stretch.
The Hawks have the easiest remaining schedule in regard to opponent strength among the four teams in the East Play-In, with only one of their eight games coming against a team – the Knicks – that’s currently above .500. They’re 20-16 (5-4 since the All-Star break) against their fellow sub-.500 teams after their loss in Miami on Thursday.
While the schedule is easy in regard to the opponents, the Hawks are the only team in the league with three rest-disadvantage games left on their schedule. The first of those is in Dallas on Wednesday, with the Hawks just 4-10 in Western Conference arenas.

Week 24: vs. POR, @ DAL, vs. NYK, vs. UTA

#17

Sacramento Kings
Last Week:16↓
Record: 36-38

OffRtg: 115.5 (7) DefRtg: 115.3 (22) NetRtg: +0.2 (15) Pace: 99.3 (17)

The Kings ended a four-game losing streak with a win over the Blazers on Thursday, but they then began a six-game trip by getting blown out in Orlando.

Three takeaways

The Kings have ranked 28th defensively (123 points allowed per 100 possessions) as they’ve gone 3-9 over the last 22 days. Six of those 12 games have come against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively, but they also allowed the 27th-ranked Magic to score 121 points on 97 possessions on Saturday.
Opponents have shot a pretty incredible 44.9% from 3-point range over the 12 games. This would be the fifth straight season (and the sixth time in the last eight years) that the Kings have allowed their opponents to shoot 37% or better on at least 30 3-point attempts per game. No other franchise has had that happen more than four times in the 46-year history of the 3-point line.
On March 5, the Kings were four games over .500 and in eighth place in the West. Now they’re in danger of falling out of the Play-In group, leading the 11th-place Suns by a game and a half. Phoenix has the tougher remaining schedule in regard to cumulative opponent winning percentage, but both teams have five games remaining against teams with winning records, and they’ll face each other (in Sacramento) on the last day of the season.
The Kings’ loss in Orlando on Saturday was the start of a six-game trip through the Eastern Conference. They’re just 11-14 (5-5 on the road) against the East, with a December loss to the Pacers being one of the four times prior to Saturday that they’ve been beat by more than 25 points. They complete the season series in Indiana on Monday night.

Week 24: @ IND, @ WAS, @ CHA, @ CLE

#18
Chicago Bulls
Last Week:20↑
Record: 33-41

OffRtg: 113.0 (20) DefRtg: 115.3 (24) NetRtg: -2.4 (21) Pace: 103.4 (3)

The Bulls’ miraculous win over the Lakers on Thursday (with Josh Giddey hitting the game-winner from halfcourt) capped their best stretch of the season, where they went 9-2, with seven of those nine wins against teams still playing for playoff or Play-In position. But they couldn’t keep it going against the Mavs over the weekend, with a late comeback coming up short.

Three takeaways

The Bulls have seen the league’s biggest jumps in pace, 3-point rate (3PA/FGA) and assist rate (AST/FGM) from last season, but have been a tick worse offensively (0.7 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average) than they were in 2023-24 (0.6 fewer than average). Still they’ve outscored their opponents by 6.4 points per game from beyond the arc, the league’s fifth best differential. And they were a plus-21 from deep in the two-point win over the Lakers on Thursday, draining three 3s in the final 10 seconds.
They did rank ninth offensively over that 9-2 stretch, with Coby White averaging 30.2 points on 50% shooting. He’s now scored more than 20 points in 15 straight games, finishing the Bulls’ six-game trip with games of 35, 36 and 37.
Overall, the Bulls have been the league’s most improved team since the All-Star break, 9.4 points per 100 possessions better than they were before the break. When you take the league average (higher since the break) into account, the bigger improvement has been on defense, where they rank ninth since the break, even though eight of their 19 post-break games have come against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively.
The Bulls have eight games remaining, two (on the road) against the first place teams in each conference, and six against teams with losing records. Chicago is one of two winless teams (0-6) in rest-disadvantage games and will be at a disadvantage against the Raptors on Tuesday.

Week 24: @ OKC, vs. TOR, vs. POR, @ CHA

#19

Dallas Mavericks
Last Week:22↑
Record: 37-38

OffRtg: 114.3 (14) DefRtg: 114.7 (17) NetRtg: -0.4 (16) Pace: 100.2 (12)

Anthony Davis is back and the Mavs have won four of their last five games to climb back to ninth place in the West and within one game of .500.

Three takeaways

Three of the four wins have come against teams – Detroit, Orlando and Chicago – that are still playing for something. Though the defense wasn’t good in their loss in New York on Tuesday, the Mavs have allowed just 110.5 points per 100 possessions over the five games, down from 127.3 over their previous five. They’ve seen a big jump in opponent turnover rate, committing 13 fewer than the Bulls (their best differential of the season) in their one-point win on Saturday.
The Mavs are now 4-0 with Davis in uniform, including 3-0 since he returned from a six-week absence. But they were outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions (scoring an anemic 101.1 per 100) in his 85 minutes on the floor last week. He shot just 10-for-23 in the paint in those first three games back.
The Mavs continue to have seen the league’s biggest drop in 3-point rate, from 44.1% of their shots (second) last season to just 39.3% (23rd) this season. They’ve taken just 31.5% of their shots (the league’s lowest rate by a wide margin) from beyond the arc over their last eight games.
The Mavs have the easiest remaining schedule of the three teams – Dallas, Sacramento and Phoenix – fighting for the last two Play-In spots in the West. They have three games remaining against teams currently below .500, with two of those in the next three days. They’ll have a rest advantage against the Hawks on Wednesday.

Week 24: vs. BKN, vs. ATL, @ LAC, @ LAC

#20

Miami Heat
Last Week:21↑
Record: 33-41

OffRtg: 111.6 (21) DefRtg: 112.3 (10) NetRtg: -0.7 (17) Pace: 96.8 (28)

The Heat have followed their 10-game losing streak with four straight wins, clobbering Jimmy Butler and the Warriors on Tuesday. But they still sit in 10th place in the East.

Three takeaways

The Heat scored just 104.8 points per 100 possessions over the losing streak, but the four games since have been their best four-game stretch of offense this season (126.4 scored per 100). Wins over the Warriors and Hawks last week were the fifth and sixth times the Heat have shot better than 50% from 3-point range.
Tyler Herro has been on fire, averaging 28.8 points on an effective field goal percentage of 78.6% (plus 16-for-17 from the line) over the four games. He’s shot 16-for-23 on pull-up jumpers over the winning streak and is now at 53.2% on pull-up 2-pointers, the best mark among 31 players who’ve attempted at least 200.
Bench minutes have been big over the winning streak, with the Heat outscoring their opponents by almost 30 points per 100 possessions in Haywood Highsmith’s 134 minutes over the four games.
The Heat will have a great opportunity to run their winning streak to five games when they visit the Wizards on Monday. Then they’ll play their final three games against teams that are currently over .500. They had lost 17 of their last 18 against that group before beating the Warriors last week.

Week 24: @ WAS, @ BOS, vs. MEM, vs. MIL

#21

Phoenix Suns
Last Week:17↓
Record: 35-40

OffRtg: 115.1 (10) DefRtg: 117.2 (26) NetRtg: -2.2 (20) Pace: 98.5 (21)

The Suns won their first two games of a stretch of 10 straight against teams with winning records, but have since lost three straight, falling back into 11th place in the West and losing Kevin Durant to an ankle injury on Sunday.

Three takeaways

The Suns could be a better offensive team if they didn’t turn the ball over as much as they do, grabbed an occasional offensive rebound or shot a few more 3s per game. But their much bigger problems are on the other end of the floor, where they’ve allowed an amazing 137.4 points per 100 possessions over the three-game losing streak.
Overall, the Suns have seen the league’s third biggest jump in points allowed per 100 possessions (+3.5) from last season. They ranked 25th in opponent turnover rate last season and have still seen the league’s second biggest drop.
Two-way point guard Collin Gillespie has been starting the last two weeks and had a big game (22 points on 9-for-11 shooting, 10 assists) in Minnesota on Friday. But the Suns’ starting lineup has allowed almost 132 points per 100 possessions in its 78 minutes over that stretch.
The Suns now head East to play their final three games against the opposite conference. After a 2-8 start, they’ve won 12 of their last 17 against the East, though they’re still just 3-6 against the six East teams with winning records.

Week 24: @ MIL, @ BOS, @ NYK

#22
Portland Trail Blazers
Last Week:19↓
Record: 32-43

OffRtg: 111.3 (22) DefRtg: 114.8 (19) NetRtg: -3.5 (23) Pace: 99.1 (18)

The Blazers’ bid for the final Play-In spot in the West seems to have come to an end with a four-game losing streak in which they’ve allowed 129 points per 100 possessions.

Three takeaways

The Blazers have been a worse-than-average defensive team, but this was still a breakthrough year on that end of the floor, where they ranked in the bottom four in each of the last four seasons.
They’ve actually seen the third biggest jump in opponent 3-point percentage from last season. But their opponents have shot just 56.5% in the paint, the league’s 11th lowest mark and down from 61.3% (30th) in ’23-24. That paint defense has been strongest with Robert Williams III (51.8%) or Donovan Clingan (53.7%) on the floor.
The defensive end of the floor has been the Blazers’ bellwether. They’re 29-11 when they’ve allowed fewer than 116 points per 100 possessions, but 3-32 (with 18 straight losses) when they’ve allowed 116 per 100 or more.
The Blazers had won 15 straight games against other teams that are currently below .500 until they lost in Sacramento on Thursday. They’ll play their next five games against that currently-under-.500 group before finishing their season with visits from the Warriors and Lakers.

Week 24: @ ATL, @ TOR, @ CHI, vs. SAS

#23
San Antonio Spurs
Last Week:23
Record: 31-43

OffRtg: 113.7 (17) DefRtg: 116.5 (25) NetRtg: -2.8 (22) Pace: 100.0 (14)

The Spurs have dropped four straight games, with their worst loss of the season (to the Warriors by 42 points) coming on Sunday.

Three takeaways

This will be the third straight season in which the Spurs ranked in the bottom 10 defensively. They had one bottom-10 defense (2019-20) in the 25 seasons prior.
They had a worse-than-average defense (ranking 19th) at the All-Star break, when they lost Victor Wembanyama for the season. Since the break, they’ve ranked 29th defensively, with only the Sixers having allowed more points per 100 possessions. Overall, they’ve allowed 8.8 fewer points per 100 possessions with Wembanyama on the floor (110.0) than they have with him off the floor (118.8). That’s the biggest on-off differential on defense among players who’ve played at least 1,000 minutes for a single team.
The Spurs lead the league in opponent free throw rate, having allowed just 20.0 attempts per 100 shots from the field. This will be the 18th time in the last 28 seasons that they ranked in the top five. They allowed just 14.2 attempts per 100 shots from the field in 814 minutes with Wembanyama, Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes all on the floor.
The Spurs are halfway through a stretch of four games in five nights that came about via a postponement from earlier in the year, but they’ll have a rest advantage when they host the Magic on Tuesday. They won their first seven rest-advantage games of the season, but have lost two of their last three.

Week 24: vs. ORL, @ DEN, vs. CLE, @ POR

#24

Toronto Raptors
Last Week:24
Record: 28-47

OffRtg: 109.6 (26) DefRtg: 113.7 (14) NetRtg: -4.1 (24) Pace: 100.3 (11)

The Raptors remain the best of the bad teams, now 11-3 in games played between the seven teams that have won less than 40% of their games after beating the Wizards, Nets, Hornets and Sixers last week.

Three takeaways

After ranking 26th defensively last season, the Raptors have seen the league’s fourth biggest drop in points allowed per 100 possessions (-4.4) and are now right at the league average (113.7 per 100).
They’ve seen the league’s biggest drop in effective field goal percentage, with the improvement coming both in the paint and from beyond the arc.
They’ve had the league’s No. 1 defense (108.2 allowed per 100) since the All-Star break, having ranked 26th (115.8) prior. That’s the league’s biggest improvement by a huge margin, with the context being that 13 of their 20 post-break games have come against teams that rank in the bottom 10 offensively.
The Raptors still have three games remaining against bottom-10 offenses. Their lone remaining game against a team that’s currently over .500 is Friday, when they’ll be at a rest disadvantage against the Pistons. They’ve lost each of the first three meetings by single digits.

Week 24: @ CHI, vs. POR, vs. DET, @ BKN

#25

Brooklyn Nets
Last Week:25
Record: 24-51

OffRtg: 108.4 (28) DefRtg: 115.3 (23) NetRtg: -6.9 (26) Pace: 96.5 (30)

The Nets lost six straight games (scoring an anemic 96.9 points per 100 possessions) before getting a win in Washington on Saturday and falling to sixth in the upside-down standings.

Three takeaways

The Nets had the league’s No. 1 defense over the last four weeks before the All-Star break, but rank 19th on that end since the break and are in position to finish in the bottom 10 defensively for the 11th time in the last 17 seasons.
They’ve been one of the league’s most aggressive defensive teams, ranking first in the percentage of ball-screens (26%) that they’ve defended with “blitz” or “show” coverage, according to Second Spectrum tracking. There have been times when they’ve done a great job rotating out of the aggressive coverage, but there’s obviously room for improvement and opportunities for opponents to beat them with ball movement. For the season, 67% of their opponents’ field goals (the league’s third highest opponent rate) have been assisted and 30% of their opponents’ 3-point attempts (the league’s highest opponent rate) have come from the corners.
The Nets are the only team that ranks in the bottom five in both opponent field goal percentage in the paint (58.8%, fourth highest) and the percentage of their opponents’ shots that have come in the paint (49.5%, fifth highest).
There are two pairs of opponents who’ve yet to face each other this season. One is the Nets and Wolves, who will see each other for the first time on Thursday, with Minnesota having won the last three meetings.

Week 24: @ DAL, vs. MIN, vs. TOR

#26

New Orleans Pelicans
Last Week:26
Record: 21-54

OffRtg: 110.1 (25) DefRtg: 118.7 (30) NetRtg: -8.5 (29) Pace: 99.6 (15)

The Pelicans picked up wins over the Sixers and Hornets last week, but still have the league’s fourth worst record.

Three takeaways

The Pelicans have allowed 6.8 more points per 100 possessions than they did last season, when they ranked sixth defensively. That’s been the league’s biggest jump by a huge margin, with the next biggest being 4.4 more (Philadelphia). The Pels have seen the second biggest jump in opponent effective field goal percentage and its biggest drop in defensive rebounding percentage, going from eighth to 30th in the latter.
They did allow just 112.5 points per 100 possessions with Herb Jones on the floor. But Jones played in just 20 games and logged just 75 total minutes alongside Zion Williamson.
In road games*, the Pelicans have allowed their opponents to take 75% of their shots, the league’s highest opponent rate, in the restricted area or from 3-point range.
* Using road games only to account for shot-charting discrepancies from arena to arena.

The last two teams to face each other for the first time this season will be the Bucks and Pelicans, who will play the first of two matchups on Sunday in New Orleans.

Week 24: @ LAC, @ LAL, vs. MIL

#27

Charlotte Hornets
Last Week:28↑
Record: 18-56

OffRtg: 107.0 (29) DefRtg: 115.0 (21) NetRtg: -8.1 (27) Pace: 98.3 (23)

The Hornets are third in the upside-down standings, having lost road games against two of the teams – Toronto and New Orleans – below them over the weekend.

Three takeaways

The Hornets had the league’s second worst defense last season, but ranked 13th defensively at the All-Star break. They rank 26th since the break, but have still seen the league’s fifth biggest drop in points allowed per 100 possessions (-4.2) from last season.
They’ve allowed 48.7 points in the paint per 100 possessions (13th lowest), down from 53.5 (sixth highest) last season. They’ve seen significant drops in both opponent field goal percentage in the paint and the percentage of their opponents’ shots that have come in the paint.
The Hornets have switched 32% of ball-screens, according to Second Spectrum tracking, the league’s fifth highest rate and up from 15% (fourth lowest) last season. Only the Spurs have seen a bigger jump.
The Hornets have one game remaining within the bottom six in the league, and it’s against the Jazz on Monday. The first meeting (a five-point win for the Hornets in January) was one of just six games in which the Hornets had their preferred starting lineup.

Week 24: vs. UTA, @ IND, vs. SAC, vs. CHI

#28

Washington Wizards
Last Week:30↑
Record: 16-58

OffRtg: 106.2 (30) DefRtg: 118.1 (28) NetRtg: -11.9 (30) Pace: 102.2 (4)

Alex Sarr continues to show improvement and the Wizards picked up a win in Philadelphia on Wednesday, tying the Jazz with 16 victories.

Three takeaways

The Wizards are the only team that ranks in the bottom 10 in each of the four factors on defense. They’ve seen the league’s third biggest jump in defensive rebounding percentage, but mostly because they ranked last by a wide margin last season.
They’ve allowed 116.4 points per 100 possessions (18th) since the All-Star break, down from 118.7 (30th) before the break. That’s been the league’s fifth biggest drop, with the context being that 14 of their 20 post-break games have come against teams that currently rank in the bottom 10 offensively. On Thursday, they allowed the Pacers’ eighth-ranked offense to score 160 points on 101 possessions, the most efficient offensive performance for any team in more than 27 years.
Though Sarr has started all 59 games he’s played in (and therefore defended against opposing starters), the Wizards have allowed fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor (116.5) than they have with him off the floor (117.3). Opponents have shot just 54.7% at the rim when he’s been there since the All-Star break, down from 63.9% before the break.
The Wizards still have four games remaining against bottom-10 offenses, with two of those against the 21st-ranked Heat. The Wizards themselves have scored just 93.5 points per 100 possessions as they’ve lost the first two meetings.

Week 24: vs. MIA, vs. SAC, vs. ORL, @ BOS

#29

Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week:27↓
Record: 23-52

OffRtg: 111.3 (23) DefRtg: 117.4 (27) NetRtg: -6.1 (25) Pace: 98.0 (25)

The Sixers’ eight-game losing streak includes losses to the Spurs, Pelicans, Wizards and Raptors. And with Brooklyn’s win in Washington on Saturday, Philly is now fifth in the upside-down standings..

Three takeaways

The Sixers have allowed 4.4 more points per 100 possessions than they did last season, when they ranked 11th defensively. Only the Pelicans have seen a bigger jump, and the Sixers have had the league’s worst defense as they’ve gone 3-18 since the All-Star break.
It was on defense where Joel Embiid’s minutes were pretty good (109.5 allowed per 100), though he blocked just 1.1 shots per 36 minutes, the lowest rate of his career.
The Sixers have played zone on 10.0% of defensive possessions, the league’s second highest rate and up from 5.8% (fourth highest) last season, according to Synergy tracking. The 0.96 points per possession they’ve allowed in zone ranks sixth among the 20 teams that have played at least 100 total possessions of zone.
The Sixers are just 6-29 against the 14 teams that currently have winning records, and all three of their remaining games against that group are this week.

Week 24: @ NYK, vs. MIL, vs. MIN

#30

Utah Jazz
Last Week:29↓
Record: 16-59

OffRtg: 110.1 (24) DefRtg: 118.6 (29) NetRtg: -8.5 (28) Pace: 100.8 (6)

The Jazz continue to hold the league’s worst record, and they’ve lost their last five games by an average of 27 points.

Three takeaways

The Jazz don’t rank last defensively, so they’ve been a tick better on that end of the floor than they were last season. They’ve allowed 1.0 fewer points per 100 possessions than they did in ’23-24, with the league average having dropped by 0.9 per 100. They’ve seen the league’s biggest drop in opponent 3-point percentage, having seen a small drop in the percentage of their opponents’ attempts that have been wide open.
Transition defense, thanks in part to the Jazz’s turnover issues, continues to be a huge problem. They’ve allowed an amazing 29.6 transition points per game, what would be 2.4 more than any other team has allowed in the 21 seasons of Synergy tracking.
The Jazz have allowed just 111.8 points per 100 possessions (with terrific rebounding numbers) in 377 minutes with their big frontline of Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler all on the floor. But they’ve played just 377 minutes together over 23 games.
The Jazz haven’t won on the road since Jan. 5 (16 straight losses), and their loss in Denver on Friday was the start of a five-game trip that continues in Charlotte on Monday. The Hornets (3-12) are the only team that’s been worse than the Jazz (3-7) in games played between the bottom six in the league.

Week 24: @ CHA, @ HOU, @ IND, @ ATL