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Whereas the Los Angeles Lakers are in the course of a disappointing NBA season, LeBron James continues to be the lone shiny spot. James handed Karl Malone on Saturday night time, moving into the No. 2 spot on the all-time scoring checklist. Although James racked up one other particular person milestone, his staff fell to the Japanese Convention’s 11th-ranked Washington Wizards. The Lakers are operating out of time to climb the Western Convention standings. At No. 10, they’re 5 video games again of the No. 8 LA Clippers and appear destined for the play-in match.
Elsewhere within the West, the Golden State Warriors had been purported to be full once more with Draymond Green‘s return from a two-month absence, however they misplaced Stephen Curry for at least two weeks when he sprained a ligament in his foot on Wednesday in a loss to the Boston Celtics. The Phoenix Suns are 9 video games forward of the No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies, however the Warriors are attempting to remain afloat at No. 3, simply two video games forward of the Utah Jazz and a surging Donovan Mitchell.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, in the meantime, are making a late-season push out of the play-in match, led by Karl-Anthony Towns. Cities dropped 60 points final week towards the San Antonio Spurs — probably the most within the NBA this season — with 32 coming within the third quarter.
And Kyrie Irving adopted in Cities’ footsteps on Tuesday with 60 points of his own, a profession excessive and a franchise document for the Brooklyn Nets. Nonetheless, the Nets nonetheless discover themselves headed for the play-in match at No. Eight within the East, only one recreation forward of the Charlotte Hornets.
Our consultants break down the place all 30 groups stand because the playoffs loom giant.
Word: All through the common season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from high to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying the very best basketball now and which groups are wanting most like title contenders.
1. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 document: 58-14
Earlier rating: 1
Suns coach Monty Williams had excessive reward for Mikal Bridges on Sunday night time, evaluating him to former NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr winners Michael Cooper and Ron Artest for his potential to protect high gamers on the perimeter and down low.
“He ought to be Defensive Participant of the Yr, No. 1,” Williams mentioned. “He does not duck a matchup. He performs each night time. He guards everybody. He performs 50 minutes. He nonetheless produces on offense. I do not get into the iron man factor, however he likes to play, he likes to work and he is a winner.” — Lopez
2. Miami Heat
2021-22 document: 47-24
Earlier rating: 2
Miami has gained three of its previous 4 and has a showdown with the Sixers on Monday night time. Tyler Herro had 26 factors in 28 minutes in Saturday’s win as he continues his torrid tempo. He’s averaging 25.9 factors a recreation over 9 contests in March — capturing 51.3% for the month after capturing 52.8% from the sphere in February. — Friedell
3. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 document: 49-23
Earlier rating: 3
Desmond Bane has bounced again after slumping final month. He’s averaging 20.Four factors with a 62.5 true capturing proportion in March as in comparison with 14.7 factors with a 48.9 true capturing proportion in February. Bane has emerged because the Grizzlies’ No. 2 scoring menace behind All-Star level guard Ja Morant, who missed a few video games this previous week resulting from again and knee soreness. — MacMahon
4. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 document: 44-27
Earlier rating: 5
The case for Giannis Antetokounmpo to win his third Most Beneficial Participant Award is rising. Milwaukee is tied for second within the convention, whereas Antetokounmpo is a contender for Defensive Participant of the Yr and competing for the scoring title (29.Eight factors per recreation) with Joel Embiid (30.zero PPG) and LeBron James (30.zero PPG). — Collier
5. Boston Celtics
2021-22 document: 44-28
Earlier rating: 7
Boston stays an absolute juggernaut after routing Denver on Sunday night time. The Celtics are actually 21-Four since Jan. 23, have the league’s finest protection by almost 5 factors per 100 possessions and are outscoring groups by 16 factors per 100 possessions over that stretch. — Bontemps
6. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 document: 43-27
Earlier rating: 6
It was an up-and-down week for Philly, with wins over Dallas and Cleveland sandwiched between losses to Denver and Toronto. It’s a make-or-miss league generally, however when Philly is making 3s, they appear to be world-beaters. Once they do not? Their offense grinds to a halt. — Bontemps
7. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 document: 47-24
Earlier rating: 4
Stephen Curry is out for no less than the following two weeks with a foot damage. Draymond Inexperienced is simply getting back from a disk difficulty, and Klay Thompson continues to be looking for his rhythm after being out 2½ years. James Wiseman is coping with knee swelling in one other setback throughout his rehab, and his return this season stays unclear. The one excellent news for the Warriors is that Jordan Poole is within the midst of considered one of his finest stretches of the season; Sunday’s contest marked the ninth time in as many video games he has scored no less than 20 factors. — Friedell
8. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 document: 43-28
Earlier rating: 8
The Mavs ran out of fuel on the finish of a five-game highway journey, struggling double-digit losses in a back-to-back towards Philadelphia and Charlotte after successful the primary three video games. Spencer Dinwiddie hit game-winning 3s in Boston and Brooklyn. He joined Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan as the one gamers to hit last-minute winners in consecutive video games this season. — MacMahon
9. Utah Jazz
2021-22 document: 45-26
Earlier rating: 9
Donovan Mitchell sat out Friday’s rout of the Clippers resulting from a calf contusion, however he managed to take care of his sizzling hand. Mitchell scored 37 factors in Wednesday’s win over the Bulls and 36 in a victory over the Knicks on Sunday because the Madison Sq. Backyard crowd greeted him with enthusiastic cheers. Mitchell made 16 3s within the two triumphs, probably the most in a two-game span in Jazz historical past. — MacMahon
10. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 document: 42-30
Earlier rating: 11
Pretty much as good because the Nuggets performed final month and in early March, they now discover themselves tied with Minnesota for No. 7 within the West, set for a play-in recreation with the Clippers with 10 video games remaining. After Sunday’s 20-point loss to Boston, Bones Hyland advised reporters that DeMarcus Cousins spoke to the staff to let everybody know their play is unacceptable proper now. Understanding how the Nuggets have been up to now below Michael Malone, count on them to reply. — Youngmisuk
11. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 document: 41-29
Earlier rating: 10
The excellent news for the backsliding Bulls — who had been winless on a three-game highway journey and have misplaced of eight of their previous 10 video games — is that extra assistance is on the best way. Ahead Patrick Williams will return Monday after tearing ligaments in his wrist within the fifth recreation of the season. He’ll come off the bench, and the Bulls are more likely to ease their second-year ahead again into motion, however Williams’ presence might assist raise Chicago’s protection, which has fallen to 20th within the NBA in defensive score. — Collier
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 document: 42-30
Earlier rating: 15
Minnesota is rolling, having gained 4 in a row and 10 of their final 11 video games. They’re threatening to seize one of many high six seeds within the Western Convention and keep away from the play-in match. The Timberwolves sit half a recreation behind the Nuggets for the No.6 seed and 1.5 video games behind the Mavericks. They’ve a pair of essential video games this week towards the Mavs in Dallas on Monday and at residence on Friday. — Collier
13. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 document: 37-34
Earlier rating: 12
Brooklyn has no thought if or when Ben Simmons goes to play as he continues to rehab his again damage. The Nets don’t know when the New York Metropolis vaccination mandate will get rolled again, which might permit Kyrie Irving to play in residence video games. What they do know is that they’ve Kevin Durant — and with him on the ground they will at all times have an opportunity. Durant is averaging 30 factors a recreation since getting back from an MCL sprain on March 3. — Friedell
14. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 document: 41-30
Earlier rating: 13
The Cavs are again on an upswing, winners of three of their previous 4, simply in time for LeBron James and the Lakers to come back to city on Monday. James’ profession common of 29.1 factors versus his former franchise is his highest towards any staff within the league. — McMenamin
15. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 document: 40-31
Earlier rating: 14
Friday’s last-second loss to the Lakers apart, Toronto is again to flying alongside once more, successful six of seven with Fred VanVleet out and in of the lineup and OG Anunoby not enjoying in any respect. The Raptors have a staff stuffed with lengthy, rangy gamers led by rookie Scottie Barnes, and they’re wanting like a troublesome first-round opponent within the East. — Bontemps
16. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 document: 36-35
Earlier rating: 18
Charlotte’s season might come right down to Gordon Hayward‘s availability down the stretch. The ahead mentioned final week that he’ll start taking contact this week and that his standing might be decided from there. Charlotte is 26-22 when Hayward performs and 10-13 when he does not. — Bontemps
17. LA Clippers
2021-22 document: 36-37
Earlier rating: 16
The Clippers are just about locked into the eighth spot with the Timberwolves sizzling on Denver’s tail for the sixth spot and the Lakers persevering with to falter beneath the Clippers. However Ty Lue’s staff is not enjoying its finest proper now. In truth, removed from it. The Clippers had been blown out in Utah and have misplaced six of their previous eight, their solely wins coming over the Wizards and Pistons. The excellent news is the Clippers have probably the most observe time they’ve had all season, so Lue will attempt to get them again to enjoying scrappy ball heading into the play-in. — Youngmisuk
18. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 document: 35-36
Earlier rating: 17
The Hawks are comfortably within the No. 10 spot within the Japanese Convention play-in race however proceed to jockey for place with Brooklyn (two video games forward at No. 8) and Charlotte (one recreation forward at No. 9). The Hawks misplaced to the Hornets final week to tie the season sequence. To proceed to climb, Atlanta will lean on Trae Young, who had his 27th 20-point, 10-assist recreation Sunday night time. That units a staff document for many in a single season, breaking the document he set himself in 2019-20. — Lopez
19. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 document: 30-41
Earlier rating: 20
The Pelicans, who slid into the No. 9 spot within the Western Convention standings on Sunday night time, are 7-6 since inserting Jaxson Hayes into the beginning lineup at energy ahead. Since Feb. 17, the Pelicans have a +10.2 web score with Jonas Valanciunas and Hayes on the ground over 216 minutes. In his previous 5 video games, Hayes is averaging 15.6 factors and 7 rebounds per recreation whereas capturing 7-of-12 from deep. — Lopez
20. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 document: 30-41
Earlier rating: 19
The Lakers adopted up maybe their most inspiring staff win in Toronto on Friday — that includes Russell Westbrook‘s miracle steal and game-tying Three sequence forcing additional time, the place they pulled away — with probably the most spectacular particular person accomplishment by any participant on their roster this season on Saturday when LeBron James handed Karl Malone for No. 2 on the all-time scoring checklist in Washington. However the Wizards acquired the win and L.A. is at the moment within the remaining play-in spot at No. 10 within the West with 11 video games left to play. — McMenamin
21. Washington Wizards
2021-22 document: 30-40
Earlier rating: 21
The Wizards’ play-in hopes took a extreme blow after they misplaced six straight video games, 4 approaching a West Coast swing. However the Wizards managed to spoil LeBron James’ milestone night time Saturday when he handed Karl Malone on the all-time scoring checklist, erasing a 16-point deficit to beat the Lakers. Whereas the win in the end may not matter a lot, the Wizards acquired an necessary glimpse at Kristaps Porzingis‘ potential, as he scored 16 of his 27 factors within the fourth. He regarded like The Unicorn they acquired on the commerce deadline. — Youngmisuk
22. New York Knicks
2021-22 document: 30-41
Earlier rating: 22
Whereas New York’s season has gone sideways, no less than the play of RJ Barrett over the previous couple of months is one thing to take ahead into the offseason. Since Jan. 1, Barrett is averaging almost 24 factors per recreation and capturing 37.8% from 3-point vary. If he can maintain that up over a full season subsequent 12 months, the Knicks might be fairly happy. — Bontemps
23. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 document: 28-44
Earlier rating: 23
Spurs ahead Keldon Johnson has been enjoying the very best basketball of his younger profession for the reason that All-Star break. He has had his first three 30-point video games for the reason that Spurs returned to play — 32 factors towards the Wizards on Feb. 25, 33 factors towards the Hornets on March 5 and a career-high 34 factors final Monday towards the Timberwolves. And whereas he did not hit the 30-point plateau Sunday, he did get the game-winning putback to defeat the Warriors. — Lopez
24. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 document: 26-44
Earlier rating: 24
The Blazers’ slide continues, as they misplaced for the 10th time in 11 video games on Sunday to Indiana. Portland’s solely win for the reason that All-Star break was over Washington, however no less than the Blazers are getting a very good have a look at what Josh Hart can do. Hart is averaging 28.6 factors in his previous 5 video games. — Youngmisuk
25. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 document: 25-47
Earlier rating: 26
The information that T.J. Warren will formally miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season marked a disappointing finish to a different injury-riddled season. Following a breakout efficiency within the bubble in 2020, Warren was restricted to 4 video games within the 2020-21 season with stress fractures in his left foot. He has not performed since Dec. 29, 2020. He’ll turn out to be an unrestricted free agent this summer time. — Collier
26. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 document: 25-48
Earlier rating: 25
Kings rookie Davion Mitchell had himself a recreation in Sunday’s 127-124 additional time loss to Phoenix. With De’Aaron Fox sidelined by a hand damage, Mitchell — identified for his protection — went off offensively, notching profession highs in each factors (28) and assists (9), and giving the Suns all they might deal with. — McMenamin
27. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 document: 19-52
Earlier rating: 27
In 12 video games since becoming a member of the Pistons, Marvin Bagley III is averaging 13.6 factors and 6.9 rebounds on 53% capturing. He is enjoying across the rim extra regularly and made just a few spot begins for Detroit final week with Jerami Grant out of the lineup. — Collier
28. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 document: 20-51
Earlier rating: 28
Energy ahead Darius Bazley has proven intriguing indicators of improvement as a scorer just lately. Bazley has averaged 21.zero factors on 53.5% capturing over the past six video games, together with a career-high 29-point night time and a pair of 25-point performances. Bazley, 21, a long-armed, explosive participant with versatile defensive potential, is eligible for an extension of his rookie contract this summer time. — MacMahon
29. Orlando Magic
2021-22 document: 19-53
Earlier rating: 29
Wendell Carter Jr. had one other large recreation in Sunday’s win over the Thunder, racking up 30 factors and 16 rebounds. During the last two months, he’s averaging over 18 factors and 11 rebounds a recreation. Jonathan Isaac, in the meantime, has been dominated out for the season as he continues to rehab a knee damage. He hasn’t performed since August 2020. — Friedell
30. Houston Rockets
2021-22 document: 17-54
Earlier rating: 30
Houston has gained solely two of its previous 20 video games, giving the Rockets the league’s worst document, which might assure a top-five choose. The expansion of Jalen Green, the No. 2 general choose in final summer time’s draft, has been a silver lining, as he has averaged 18.2 factors on .472/.375/.732 capturing splits throughout that span. However the Rockets’ protection (NBA-worst 116.5 factors allowed per 100 possessions) is terrible, even by tanking requirements. — MacMahon
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