NBA Energy Rankings – The Warriors maintain on to play-in hopes because the Magic ascend within the East

With lower than a month remaining within the common season, groups are starting to punch their tickets to the postseason whereas concurrently combating fatigue to arrange for a possible deep playoff run.

The dominant Boston Celtics turned the primary staff to clinch a playoff spot final week. In the meantime, the race behind them within the Japanese Convention is stuffed with questions. The Milwaukee Bucks, led by the harmful duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, at present have the sting. And the Philadelphia 76ers, who’ve been with out reigning MVP Joel Embiid since Jan. 30, are at risk of dropping into the play-in match.

There is no such thing as a clear-cut favourite within the West, and seed Nos. 4 to eight are constantly shuffling, combating to remain out of the play-in. After a few losses this month, the LA Clippers’ lead for the 4-seed has shrunk to at least one recreation forward of the New Orleans Pelicans. And regardless of a rocky season, the Houston Rockets are on a late-season cost, driving a six-game successful streak to probably throw a wrench into the race.

With fewer than 20 video games left within the common season, it is crunch time for everybody. Let’s check out this week’s Energy Rankings to see the place all 30 groups stand as we enter this stretch.

Notice: All through the common season, our panel (Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from high to backside, taking inventory of which groups are taking part in the very best basketball and which groups are wanting most like title contenders.

Earlier rankings: Submit-Finals | Nov. 1 | Nov. 8 | Nov. 15 | Nov. 22 | Nov. 29 | Dec. 6 | Dec. 13 | Dec. 20 | Dec. 27 | Jan. 3 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 17 | Jan. 24 | Jan. 31 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 28 | Mar. 6 | Mar. 13

Leap to a staff:

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Boston Celtics
2023-24 report: 54-14

• Earlier rating: 1

• Subsequent video games: vs. MIL (Mar. 20), @ DET (Mar. 22), @ CHI (Mar. 23), @ ATL (Mar. 25)

How Sam Hauser would fare as a key reserve within the Celtics’ rotation was one among their greatest questions heading into the season. He has slotted into that position seamlessly, taking pictures 43% on 3s whereas taking 5.5 of them per recreation. On Sunday towards the Wizards, Hauser hit 10 treys earlier than exiting with an ankle harm. — Bontemps

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2. Denver Nuggets
2023-24 report: 48-21

The Nuggets did not have a lot time to let Kyrie Irving’s unimaginable left-handed hook shot Sunday linger. They’d Tuesday evening’s showdown at Minnesota to fret about, and Denver completed a four-game highway swing with one other high quality win, although the Wolves had been short-handed. Denver has now gained 12 of 14 video games for the reason that All-Star break, with its solely losses coming in additional time towards Phoenix and on the buzzer-beater by Kyrie. The Nuggets return residence to face New York earlier than hitting the highway once more, to Portland, on Saturday. — Youngmisuk

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3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
2023-24 report: 47-20

• Earlier rating: 3

• Subsequent video games: vs. UTA (Mar. 20), @ TOR (Mar. 22), @ MIL (Mar. 24), @ NO (Mar. 26)

There are indications that Gordon Hayward, who was sidelined for seven weeks as a result of a calf harm earlier than making his Thunder debut, is discovering his rhythm as an Oklahoma Metropolis reserve. He’s 12-of-19 from the ground, together with 5-of-8 from 3-point vary, with 17 assists previously six video games. That is a drastic enchancment from Hayward’s first seven outings in a Thunder uniform when he went 7-of-28 from the ground, lacking his lone 3-point try, and registered solely seven assists. Oklahoma Metropolis has scored 125.4 factors per 100 possessions in Hayward’s minutes whereas successful 5 of the previous six video games. — MacMahon

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4. Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 report: 47-22

What a tremendous few weeks for Anthony Edwards’ spotlight reel. After hitting his head on the backboard for a game-saving block earlier this month, he adopted it with top-of-the-line dunks of the season, posterizing John Collins on Monday with one other jaw-dropping leap. Edwards additionally scored 25 factors within the second half to guide the Wolves to their third win in a row. The Wolves then misplaced an essential matchup with Denver on Tuesday, dropping them one recreation behind the reigning champions as the 2 attempt to hold tempo within the race for the highest seed within the West. — Collier

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5. Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 report: 44-24

• Earlier rating: 4

• Subsequent video games: @ BOS (Mar. 20), vs. BKN (Mar. 21), vs. OKC (Mar. 24), vs. LAL (Mar. 26)

With Khris Middleton again within the lineup, the Bucks picked up back-to-back wins at residence after a tricky West Coast journey, throughout which they went 1-3. The Bucks have 14 video games remaining within the common season with a pair of matchups to make use of as measuring sticks this week: on the highway towards the NBA-best Celtics and at residence versus the West-best Thunder. — Collier

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6. Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 report: 43-25

• Earlier rating: 8

• Subsequent video games: vs. MIA (Mar. 20), @ MIN (Mar. 22), @ MIA (Mar. 24), vs. CHA (Mar. 25)

After being sidelined almost two weeks with a bone bruise in his left knee, Donovan Mitchell returned for simply two video games earlier than going out with an harm once more. Mitchell underwent surgical procedure on Tuesday to restore a nasal fracture, and he’s anticipated to overlook not less than one other week, the staff introduced. Cleveland is 10-9 with out Mitchell this season and 33-16 with him. The query now’s whether or not the Cavs, at present a recreation behind Milwaukee for second place within the East, can hold tempo with two video games towards Miami and a matchup with Minnesota this week. — McMenamin

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7. New Orleans Pelicans
2023-24 report: 42-26

• Earlier rating: 7

• Subsequent video games: @ ORL (Mar. 21), @ MIA (Mar. 22), @ DET (Mar. 24), vs. OKC (Mar. 26)

After a meniscus tear delayed his season debut till December, Trey Murphy III shot 42.3% from deep earlier than taking three video games off round New 12 months’s Day due to knee soreness. Over the subsequent two months, Murphy struggled, taking pictures 39.8% general and 32.0% from 3. This month, Murphy’s shot has come again. He’s averaging 20.7 factors and taking pictures 47.8% from deep on 9.9 makes an attempt per recreation. The Pelicans are 12-0 this season when Murphy scores not less than 16 factors. — Lopez

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8. LA Clippers
2023-24 report: 42-25

• Earlier rating: 5

• Subsequent video games: @ POR (Mar. 20), @ POR (Mar. 22), vs. PHI (Mar. 24), vs. IND (Mar 25)

The Clippers launched into a two-game journey in Portland this week exhibiting little fear about dropping 4 of their previous 5 video games. Although Kawhi Leonard mentioned the Clippers’ lack of urgency in Sunday’s residence loss to Atlanta was psychological and Paul George mentioned the Clips lacked an id, coach Ty Lue reiterated his confidence on this staff. Terance Mann additionally mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s follow that the squad’s late-season assuredness stays excessive due to the expertise Leonard, George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have. “Playoffs is a complete totally different ballgame,” Mann mentioned. “Everyone’s nervous about what the hell is going on in common season proper now? I imply, cool. We’re not nervous — that does not waver our confidence going into the playoffs in any respect.” — Youngmisuk

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9. New York Knicks
2023-24 report: 41-27

OG Anunoby is now sidelined indefinitely with extra points in his proper elbow, however his affect on the court docket has been apparent since debuting with the Knicks in the beginning of the yr. Together with the three video games he performed final week earlier than his newest elbow flare-up, New York is 15-2 when Anunoby is in uniform this season. And within the 598 minutes he has been on the court docket, the Knicks are outscoring their opponents by 24 factors per 100 possessions. — Bontemps

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10. Orlando Magic
2023-24 report: 41-28

Tuesday’s win towards the Hornets marked 41 victories for the Magic, placing the franchise on monitor for simply its second successful marketing campaign since 2018-19. Coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad is nicely positioned to earn a top-six seed within the playoffs, as Orlando is 3.5 video games forward of Philadelphia within the East. ESPN Analytics provides it a 91% probability of doing so. — Lopez

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11. Dallas Mavericks
2023-24 report: 40-29

Kyrie Irving’s 20-foot, buzzer-beating lefty hook to clinch Sunday’s win over the Nuggets was a continuation of the Mavericks’ clutch excellence this season — a stark distinction to their struggles in shut video games final season. The Mavs are 20-8 in video games which are inside 5 factors within the remaining 5 minutes, giving them the league’s finest successful proportion (71.4%) in such contests. In clutch conditions, Dallas ranks second in offensive ranking (128 factors per 100 possessions) and fifth in web ranking (plus-20.3). Dallas has particularly excelled with Irving on the court docket within the clutch, outscoring opponents by 62 factors in 56 minutes. — MacMahon

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12. Sacramento Kings
2023-24 report: 39-28

• Earlier rating: 12

• Subsequent video games: @ TOR (Mar. 20), @ WAS (Mar. 21), @ ORL (Mar. 23), vs. PHI (Mar. 25)

The Kings strung collectively enormous back-to-back wins towards the Bucks and Lakers earlier than dropping a recreation to the Knicks and beating the Grizzlies in additional time. For the Kings (sixth place within the West) to keep away from the play-in match, they should put collectively a extra cohesive defensive recreation — their protection is nineteenth — and keep away from fourth-quarter scrambles, as they’re tied for tenth in clutch video games performed this season (19-14). — Andrews

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13. Phoenix Suns
2023-24 report: 39-29

• Earlier rating: 9

• Subsequent video games: vs. PHI (Mar. 20), vs. ATL (Mar. 21), @ SA (Mar. 23), @ SA (Mar. 25)

How robust is the West this marketing campaign? Final season, Phoenix completed eight video games above .500 and was the No. 4 seed. This season, they’re 10 video games above .500 and at present No. 8 within the convention. Kevin Durant’s mini taking pictures droop is one thing to watch, as he has averaged simply 12 factors on 36% taking pictures and 22.2% from 3 within the Suns’ previous two video games. — McMenamin

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14. Indiana Pacers
2023-24 report: 38-31

• Earlier rating: 16

• Subsequent video games: @ DET (Mar. 20), @ GS (Mar. 22), @ LAL (Mar. 24), @ LAC (Mar. 25)

The Pacers are simply 7-6 for the reason that All-Star break, and guard Tyrese Haliburton is mired in a taking pictures droop. In these 13 tilts, Haliburton has shot 20-of-94 (21.3%) from 3; and in March, he’s taking pictures simply 16.9% from deep. He’s nonetheless averaging 15.8 factors and 9.8 assists for the reason that break, however the Pacers want extra from their star as they attempt to keep out of the East’s play-in. A loss to Cleveland on Monday dropped Indiana to No. 7. — Collier

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15. Miami Warmth
2023-24 report: 37-31

• Earlier rating: 14

• Subsequent video games: @ CLE (Mar. 20), vs. NO (Mar. 22), vs. CLE (Mar. 24), vs. GS (Mar. 26)

Warmth middle Bam Adebayo has made not less than one 3-pointer in 4 consecutive video games and has gone 5-of-5 from deep in that stretch, together with a game-winning shot towards the Pistons on Sunday. Previous to that, Adebayo had made simply 9 3-pointers in his first 472 profession video games. Miami’s offense wants something it will probably get to begin rolling. The Warmth have scored 100 or fewer factors 16 occasions this season, fourth most within the NBA. Miami is 2-14 in these contests, together with losses to Denver and Philadelphia final week. — Lopez

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16. Los Angeles Lakers
2023-24 report: 37-32

As troublesome because it was to lose Anthony Davis in a pricey defeat to the Warriors on Saturday after he was poked within the eye, it might have been a lot worse. “The corneal abrasion was truly proper in the midst of my eye,” Davis defined Monday. “Anytime I regarded, it was blurry. My eye was swollen. I believed my eye was, like, [torn] open.” Davis returned to place up 22 factors on 10-for-14 taking pictures and 15 rebounds in Monday’s win over the Hawks, and he sounded assured the harm would not forestall him from attacking the 13 video games left within the common season. — McMenamin

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17. Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 report: 38-30

• Earlier rating: 17

• Subsequent video games: @ PHX (Mar. 20), @ LAL (Mar. 22), @ LAC (Mar. 24), @ SAC (Mar. 25)

Kyle Lowry has stepped into the lineup for his hometown staff after arriving final month as a buyout signing and is averaging 8.6 factors and 4.8 assists whereas taking pictures 37.5% from 3. However although Lowry has moved into the beginning lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia’s backcourt, the 76ers are nonetheless lacking, as Lowry put it, a “7-foot-2 man” — referring to reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who continues to recuperate from meniscus surgical procedure. — Bontemps

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18. Golden State Warriors
2023-24 report: 35-32

• Earlier rating: 18

• Subsequent video games: vs. MEM (Mar. 20), vs. IND (Mar. 22), @ MIN (Mar. 24), @ MIA (Mar. 26)

The Warriors have the best remaining schedule amongst Western Convention groups within the play-in race. Nonetheless, they’re nearly a lock for the 9- or 10-seed, as they do not maintain tiebreakers over the Kings, Suns or Mavericks, who’re all forward of Golden State within the standings. The Dubs’ win over the Lakers provides them a chance to safe residence court docket for the primary play-in recreation. However it may be advantageous to go on the highway; the Warriors have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games inside Chase Heart. — Andrews

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19. Chicago Bulls
2023-24 report: 34-35

The Bulls are one win from reaching .500 for the primary time since Oct. 30. They had been at that mark twice this season (1-1 and 2-2), however they have not spent a day over it. A giant motive for Chicago’s resurgence has been DeMar DeRozan’s continued fourth-quarter excellence. He has scored 166 clutch factors, simply shy of Stephen Curry’s league-leading 167 getting into Wednesday, and DeRozan ranks second behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in fourth-quarter scoring. — Collier

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20. Houston Rockets
2023-24 report: 33-35

The Rockets are 8-1 in March to reignite their hopes of qualifying for the play-in. Jalen Inexperienced, the 2021 No. 2 decide who might be eligible for an extension of his rookie contract this summer time, has been taking part in the very best ball of his profession. Inexperienced, the West’s reigning participant of the week, averaged 26.6 factors and 6.1 rebounds per recreation. — MacMahon

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21. Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 report: 30-38

Atlanta has an opportunity to steal yet one more victory — on the Suns on Thursday — to spherical out their five-game journey. They’ve dropped three of 4 on this West Coast tour, with the triumph coming towards the Clippers. Because of the Nets’ four-game dropping streak, Atlanta seems to have a maintain on the No. 10 spot within the play-in race. The Hawks have gone 6-6 with out Trae Younger (finger surgical procedure) and have stayed aggressive because of Dejounte Murray, who has averaged 25.0 factors, 8.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds over his previous dozen video games. — Lopez

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22. Utah Jazz
2023-24 report: 29-39

• Earlier rating: 23

• Subsequent video games: @ OKC (Mar. 20), @ DAL (Mar. 21), @ HOU (Mar. 23), vs. DAL (Mar. 25)

Rookie guard Keyonte George’s improvement may be the Jazz’s high precedence down the stretch. “Keyonte has the chance to be an actual star on this league,” coach Will Hardy mentioned not too long ago. George, the No. 17 decide who has transitioned to level guard after taking part in primarily off the ball in highschool and school, has averaged 22.6 factors on .469/.400/.885 taking pictures splits and 5.4 assists over the previous 5 video games. — MacMahon

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23. Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 report: 26-43

Going from Jacque Vaughn to Kevin Ollie on the sideline has carried out little to reverse the downturn for the Nets ever for the reason that notorious tanking recreation towards the Bucks on Dec. 27. Since then, Brooklyn is 11-28 — and 5-10 underneath Ollie after dropping to New Orleans on Tuesday evening. The Nets have fallen fully out of the play-in race within the East, sitting 4 video games behind a Trae Younger-less Hawks. — Bontemps

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24. Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 report: 23-46

Contemplating how injury-ravaged the Grizzlies are, no person would have blinked if Desmond Bane sat out the remainder of the season after recovering from a sprained ankle that sidelined him for 2 months. Bane, nevertheless, was decided to return and did so this week in a loss towards the Thunder on Saturday. “I am right here for my staff. Regardless, I am right here,” Bane mentioned after he had 22 factors and 7 assists in his first recreation again. He adopted that with 24 factors and 4 assists in Monday’s additional time loss to the Kings. — MacMahon

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25. Toronto Raptors
2023-24 report: 23-45

• Earlier rating: 24

• Subsequent video games: vs. SAC (Mar. 20), vs. OKC (Mar. 22), @ WAS (Mar. 23), vs. BKN (Mar. 25)

After a sluggish begin, Raptors rookie Gradey Dick has made vital strides for the reason that All-Star break. His minutes per recreation have almost doubled, from 15.3 to 26.6, and he has elevated his area purpose proportion (40.3 to 44.4) and 3-point proportion (35.7 to 37.5) on the identical time. In what’s been a troublesome season for Toronto, together with Scottie Barnes lacking the remainder of the season after present process surgical procedure, Dick’s regular progress has been a current spotlight. — Bontemps

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26. Portland Path Blazers
2023-24 report: 19-49

• Earlier rating: 26

• Subsequent video games: vs. LAC (Mar. 20), vs. LAC (Mar. 22), vs. DEN (Mar. 23), @ HOU (Mar. 25)

Maybe probably the most disappointing a part of the Path Blazers’ season has been how Scoot Henderson has struggled to regulate. After lacking 10 of Portland’s previous 12 video games, Henderson has remained inconsistent from the perimeter, taking pictures 18.2% from past the arc. On the flip aspect, the addition of Deandre Ayton has been a small enhance for Portland’s offense, because the sixth-year middle is having his finest month since becoming a member of the Path Blazers, averaging 26.8 factors per recreation taking pictures 63.5% in March. — Andrews

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27. Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 report: 17-52

With LaMelo Ball on the sideline, Vasilije Micic is making probably the most out of his alternative with the Hornets. After taking part in in simply 30 video games with Oklahoma Metropolis earlier this season, Micic was traded to Charlotte as a part of a multiteam deal in February. He began his ninth consecutive recreation and entered Tuesday’s recreation towards the Magic averaging 15.6 factors, 5.8 assists and 49.5% taking pictures in March. — Youngmisuk

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28. San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 report: 15-54

Victor Wembanyama is the thirteenth rookie to have 200 blocks in a season (since blocks turned an official stat in 1973-74). With 207, he has the second most for a rookie in Spurs historical past, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 206 in 1997-98. David Robinson holds the report with 319 in 1989-90. In Sunday’s efficiency towards the Nets, Wembanyama put up 33 factors, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and seven blocks. It was his fifth recreation this season with not less than 25 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. All different rookies previous to Wembanyama completed that simply six occasions. — Lopez

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29. Detroit Pistons
2023-24 report: 12-56

• Earlier rating: 29

• Subsequent video games: vs. IND (Mar. 20), vs. BOS (Mar. 22), vs. NO (Mar. 24), @ NY (Mar. 25)

The Pistons have dropped three in a row as they attempt to maintain off Washington within the race to keep away from the worst report within the NBA. Detroit is about to enter a stretch of 5 straight video games towards postseason-bound groups, internet hosting the Pacers, Celtics and Pelicans this week. The staff has additionally been sitting Cade Cunningham to keep away from him taking part in in each video games of a back-to-back. — Collier

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30. Washington Wizards
2023-24 report: 11-58

Not many knew what to anticipate this season when Washington drafted 19-year-old Bilal Coulibaly with the seventh decide final summer time. The 6-foot-8 French swingman has proven that he is not only a long-term mission. Whereas he posted 10 video games this season of two or extra blocks and had seven video games with three or extra blocks, Coulibaly additionally displayed some flashes of offensive potential. 3 times this season he made 4 3-pointers in a recreation and had scored in double figures in 5 straight video games earlier than a season-ending proper wrist fracture on Monday. The rookie, who will not want surgical procedure, finishes the season averaging 8.4 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 34.6% taking pictures from 3. He’s a stable decide thus far for Washington’s new regime led by Michael Winger and Will Dawkins. — Youngmisuk