NBA Energy Rankings – Dallas rises by the West because the Hawks and Pacers battle within the East

We’re lower than two weeks away from the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA common season, and a myriad of prospects nonetheless stay within the West and East playoff seeding.

Within the Western Convention, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have every locked up a postseason berth, whereas the Dallas Mavericks, powered by Luka Doncic, have surged within the standings.

With Joel Embiid again on the court docket after a two-month absence because of damage, the Philadelphia 76ers might throw a wrench into an already unsettled Japanese Convention. The No. 3 by No. 8 groups are separated by lower than two video games, and no crew moreover the Boston Celtics has clinched a playoff berth.

A handful of contentious head-to-head video games within the subsequent week will assist decide the ultimate playoff image. The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, positioned for the West’s Nos. 9-10 play-in sport, will face one another on Tuesday, and the Indiana Pacers, No. 6 within the East, will see a No. 7 Miami Warmth crew vying for a playoff spot.

Observe: 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 prime to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying the very best basketball and which groups are trying most like title contenders.

Earlier rankings: Publish-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 | Mar. 20 | Mar. 27

Bounce to a crew:

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 file: 59-16

• Earlier rating: 1

• Subsequent video games: vs. OKC (Apr. 3), vs. SAC (Apr. 5), vs. POR (Apr. 7), @ MIL (Apr. 9)

Whereas there have been a number of causes to imagine that Boston’s new-look beginning lineup would achieve success this season, it has been each bit pretty much as good — after which some — because the Celtics might have realistically hoped for. The grouping of Derrick White, Jrue Vacation, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis has performed the sixth-most minutes of any five-man lineup within the NBA and is outscoring opponents by a powerful 12.6 factors per 100 possessions. — Bontemps

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2. Denver Nuggets
2023-24 file: 53-23

The Nuggets beat San Antonio for his or her second win in a row after dropping two straight — to Phoenix and Minnesota — final week. Extra importantly, although, is ensuring they’re wholesome going into the playoffs. The defending champs performed their sixth consecutive sport on Tuesday with out Jamal Murray, who has been out with a sprained left ankle and swollen proper knee. Coach Michael Malone advised reporters on Friday he believes his star guard shall be again on the ground earlier than the postseason begins. Denver finishes the common season with 4 of its remaining six video games on the highway, beginning Thursday on the Clippers. — Youngmisuk

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3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
2023-24 file: 52-23

• Earlier rating: 4

• Subsequent video games: @ BOS (Apr. 3), @ IND (Apr. 5), @ CHA (Apr. 7), vs. SAC (Apr. 9)

Josh Giddey is in his finest groove of the season, averaging 22.8 factors, 9.0 rebounds and seven.4 assists with an efficient area purpose share of 72.2% over the previous 5 video games forward of Tuesday night time’s assembly with the 76ers. That span included Giddey setting a season-high scoring whole in consecutive video games — with 25 factors in opposition to the Pelicans and 31 versus the Rockets — and registering his second triple-double of the season (16 factors, 13 rebounds, 12 assists in opposition to the Knicks). — MacMahon

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4. Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 file: 52-23

• Earlier rating: 5

• Subsequent video games: vs. TOR (Apr. 3), @ PHX (Apr. 5), @ LAL (Apr. 7), vs. WAS (Apr. 9)

The Wolves have gone 9-4 since Karl-Anthony Cities has been sidelined with a knee damage. (He’s set to be reevaluated subsequent week.) Minnesota has leaned on its No. 1-ranked protection and rising celebrity Anthony Edwards because it seems to maintain tempo within the race for the highest seed within the convention. The Wolves at the moment are second within the West, half a sport behind the Nuggets. With seven video games remaining within the common season, Minnesota has clinched a playoff berth instantly after competing within the play-in the previous two seasons. — Collier

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5. Dallas Mavericks
2023-24 file: 45-29

• Earlier rating: 8

• Subsequent video games: vs. ATL (Apr. 4), vs. GS (Apr. 5), vs. HOU (Apr. 7), @ CHA (Apr. 9)

Luka Doncic gained the Western Convention Participant of the Week Award for the second time in March and the fourth time this season. Doncic averaged a 32.5-point triple-double for the month because the Mavs went 11-4, with one of many losses coming when he sat out because of hamstring soreness. Doncic has led Dallas in factors, rebounds and assists 35 occasions this season, the fourth most by a participant in NBA historical past, in line with the Elias Sports activities Bureau. The three gamers who’ve topped that quantity — Russell Westbrook in 2016-17, Nikola Jokic in 2021-22 and Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66 — all gained the NBA Most Helpful Participant Award. — MacMahon

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6. Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 file: 47-28

• Earlier rating: 3

• Subsequent video games: vs. MEM (Apr. 3), vs. TOR (Apr. 5), vs. NY (Apr. 7), vs. BOS (Apr. 9)

The Bucks have a 1.5-game lead over Cleveland within the race for the No. 2 seed within the Japanese Convention with seven video games to play however are nonetheless trying to discover an prolonged groove forward of the playoffs. The Bucks went 8-6 in March and by no means gained or misplaced greater than two consecutive video games all month. Milwaukee’s last three house video games subsequent week are all in opposition to potential playoff foes — New York, Boston and Orlando. — Collier

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7. LA Clippers
2023-24 file: 47-28

• Earlier rating: 10

• Subsequent video games: vs. DEN (Apr. 4), vs. UTA (Apr. 5), vs. CLE (Apr. 7), @ PHX (Apr. 9)

The Clippers completed a four-game journey in Sacramento with out their finest participant and misplaced to snap a three-game profitable streak. Kawhi Leonard went again to Los Angeles to deal with proper knee soreness, a brand new damage that popped up throughout Sunday’s win in Charlotte, in line with coach Ty Lue. The Clippers are hopeful that Leonard will return for Thursday’s house matchup in opposition to Denver, however their remaining schedule is jam-packed. They play their remaining seven video games in 11 days with two back-to-backs. Six of these are at house, however the Clips have been much better on the highway over the previous month, having dropped 5 straight at Crypto.com Area in March. — Youngmisuk

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8. New Orleans Pelicans
2023-24 file: 45-30

• Earlier rating: 6

• Subsequent video games: vs. ORL (Apr. 3), vs. SA (Apr. 5), @ PHX (Apr. 7), @ POR (Apr. 9)

In the course of an essential six-game homestand, the Pelicans have dropped three of their previous 4 — to Oklahoma Metropolis, Boston and Phoenix — and at the moment are No. 6 within the Western Convention standings. New Orleans does have video games left in opposition to San Antonio and Portland but additionally performs all 4 groups presently within the play-in spots — the Suns, Kings, Lakers and Warriors — to finish the season. — Lopez

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9. New York Knicks
2023-24 file: 44-31

• Earlier rating: 7

• Subsequent video games: vs. SAC (Apr. 4), @ CHI (Apr. 5), @ MIL (Apr. 7), @ CHI (Apr. 9)

New York continues to attend for each OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) to return to the court docket. Within the meantime, it has seen nice success from its present beginning 5 of Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein. Over the previous seven video games since McBride turned a full-time starter, that group has outscored opponents by a staggering 85 factors throughout 126 minutes — making it simply the very best performing lineup of any group within the league this season. — Bontemps

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10. Phoenix Suns
2023-24 file: 44-31

• Earlier rating: 13

• Subsequent video games: vs. CLE (Apr. 3), vs. MIN (Apr. 5), vs. NO (Apr. 7), vs. LAC (Apr. 9)

The Suns may need the league’s most troublesome schedule down the stretch, however Phoenix confirmed this previous week it got here to combat. Following a disappointing highway loss to the Spurs, the Suns beat the defending champs in Denver. After a subsequent 25-point loss at Oklahoma Metropolis, they bounced again to win at New Orleans, because of 52 factors from Devin Booker, to complete their five-game journey on a excessive be aware. The Suns’ subsequent 4 contests do not get any simpler, as they face Cleveland, Minnesota, New Orleans and the Clippers at house. — McMenamin

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11. Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 file: 46-30

The Cavaliers have been up and down final week, dropping to the cellar-dwelling Hornets, getting blown out by the Nuggets then stabilizing with wins in opposition to Philly and Utah. However the largest information was the speak of Donovan Mitchell’s future with the franchise. “We expect he’ll prolong,” Cavs proprietor Dan Gilbert advised The Related Press when requested about Mitchell’s contract scenario. Mitchell didn’t commit when requested by reporters about Gilbert’s assertion: “I will deal with that when it comes,” he mentioned. — McMenamin

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12. Orlando Magic
2023-24 file: 44-31

• Earlier rating: 11

• Subsequent video games: @ NO (Apr. 3), @ CHA (Apr. 5), vs. CHI (Apr. 7), @ HOU (Apr. 9)

Not solely does Orlando stay within the race for home-court benefit within the playoffs, it might climb as excessive as No. 3 within the East because it fights for positioning with the Cavaliers and Knicks. ESPN Analytics offers the Magic an 8% likelihood to get to the third spot, a 20% likelihood to get to No. 4, a 33% likelihood to remain at No. 5 and a 22% likelihood to fall one place to No. 6. However they’re going to have to complete robust in opposition to a tricky stretch of opponents within the Pelicans, Rockets, Bucks and 76ers. — Lopez

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13. Sacramento Kings
2023-24 file: 43-31

• Earlier rating: 9

• Subsequent video games: @ NY (Apr. 4), @ BOS (Apr. 5), @ BKN (Apr. 7), @ OKC (Apr. 9)

The Kings have discovered themselves fluctuating wherever from the No. 6 spot to No. 8 within the West. And their already troublesome highway to securing a playoff spot simply received more durable with accidents to Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk. Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes should assist fill these holes together with Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov, who simply returned from their very own accidents. However will that be sufficient to make up for Sacramento dropping Monk, who was a Sixth Man of the 12 months contender? — Andrews

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14. Los Angeles Lakers
2023-24 file: 43-33

• Earlier rating: 16

• Subsequent video games: @ WAS (Apr. 3), vs. CLE (Apr. 6), vs. MIN (Apr. 7), vs. GS (Apr. 9)

L.A. beat the Raptors on Tuesday for a seventh win prior to now eight video games, and it’s 10 video games above .500 for the primary time since Might 2021. “Our crew spirit is at a really excessive stage,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned. “The very best it has been, in my view, all 12 months.” The unstated caveat, in fact: The franchise’s disposition will finally be determined by what occurs within the final six video games of the common season and past. — McMenamin

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15. Indiana Pacers
2023-24 file: 43-33

• Earlier rating: 14

• Subsequent video games: @ BKN (Apr. 3), vs. OKC (Apr. 5), vs. MIA (Apr. 7), @ TOR (Apr. 9)

The Pacers gained back-to-back video games following a loss to Chicago to take care of a half-game benefit for the No. 6 seed within the Japanese Convention, staying forward of Miami and Philadelphia. With six video games remaining within the common season, the Pacers have a good break up of house and highway contests and can host No. 7 Miami on Sunday in a vital matchup to attempt to solidify their spot. — Collier

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16. Miami Warmth
2023-24 file: 42-33

• Earlier rating: 15

• Subsequent video games: vs. PHI (Apr. 4), @ HOU (Apr. 5), @ IND (Apr. 7), @ ATL (Apr. 9)

The Warmth actually received going Friday in opposition to Portland, posting 142 factors in a franchise-record 60-point victory. It was solely the fourth time in crew historical past they’ve scored at the least 140 factors in a regulation sport and the second time this season after beating the Pacers 142-132 on Nov. 30. The Warmth have a key matchup in opposition to those self same Pacers on Sunday, as Miami sits half a sport again of Indiana for sixth place within the East standings. — Lopez

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17. Golden State Warriors
2023-24 file: 41-34

• Earlier rating: 19

• Subsequent video games: @ HOU (Apr. 4), @ DAL (Apr. 5), vs. UTA (Apr. 7), @ LAL (Apr. 9)

The Warriors’ final seven video games of the season are all must-win matchups, with 4 coming in opposition to Western Convention opponents preventing for playoff positioning. They’re going to need to undergo the Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers and Pelicans to safe at the least a spot within the play-in. It is great distance of claiming it is not going to be straightforward. Golden State gained some momentum after ending a five-game journey 4-1, however the subsequent two weeks will decide if the Warriors are postseason-ready. — Andrews

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18. Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 file: 41-35

• Earlier rating: 18

• Subsequent video games: @ MIA (Apr. 4), @ MEM (Apr. 6), @ SA (Apr. 7), vs. DET (Apr. 9)

Tyrese Maxey has had a stellar season, together with making his first All-Star look and main the 76ers with out reigning MVP Joel Embiid. However the absence of Embiid — who returned Tuesday night time after being sidelined the previous two months because of damage — made life troublesome for the Sixers simply the identical. By means of January, Philadelphia was scoring 122.3 factors per 100 possessions when Maxey was on the court docket. However because the begin of February, the 76ers with out Embiid are scoring simply 110.9 factors per 100 possessions with Maxey on the court docket — an indication of not solely the massive man’s lacking presence but additionally the elevated consideration on Maxey from defenses. — Bontemps

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19. Houston Rockets
2023-24 file: 38-37

• Earlier rating: 17

• Subsequent video games: vs. GS (Apr. 4), vs. MIA (Apr. 5), @ DAL (Apr. 7), vs. ORL (Apr. 9)

Jalen Inexperienced, 22, turned the NBA’s youngest participant to common at the least 30 factors over an 11-game span, surpassing Corridor of Famers Bob McAdoo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in line with ESPN Stats & Info analysis. Inexperienced averaged 30.2 factors whereas capturing 50.4% from the ground and 45.0% from 3-point vary in the course of the Rockets’ latest 11-game profitable streak. Houston averaged 123.7 factors per 100 possessions with Inexperienced on the ground in March, throughout which the Rockets posted a 13-2 file. — MacMahon

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20. Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 file: 35-40

• Earlier rating: 20

• Subsequent video games: vs. DET (Apr. 3), @ DAL (Apr. 4), @ DEN (Apr. 6), vs. MIA (Apr. 9)

Atlanta has gained 5 of its previous six video games — together with a pair of thrillers in opposition to the league-leading Celtics final week — and proceed to battle the Bulls for the appropriate to host the East’s Nos. 9-10 play-in sport. Atlanta gained a sport on the Bulls on Monday with a win at Chicago’s United Middle. Two-way guard Vit Krejci had a profession excessive 18 factors for Atlanta on 6-for-6 capturing from 3. The Hawks will once more be examined this week as they hit the highway in opposition to the Mavericks and Nuggets. — Lopez

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21. Chicago Bulls
2023-24 file: 36-40

The Bulls formally locked their spot within the play-in match on Tuesday night time in ironic vogue after a loss to the Hawks, as that pairing virtually definitely will represent the East’s Nos. 9-10 play-in matchup. Chicago presently holds the No. 9 seed and the tiebreaker, which might give it home-court benefit in that single-elimination postseason contest. Nonetheless, the Bulls’ lead over Atlanta has dwindled to only half a sport, and so they face the Knicks 3 times and the Magic as soon as of their final six video games of the common season. — Collier

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22. Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 file: 29-47

It has been a season to overlook for Brooklyn, however one shiny spot has been the play of third-year guard Cam Thomas. The 6-foot-3 capturing guard has posted profession highs throughout the board, averaging 22 factors per sport and turning into one of many crew’s go-to scoring choices alongside ahead Mikal Bridges. The query shall be whether or not Brooklyn can get an extension accomplished with Thomas heading into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal subsequent season. — Bontemps

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23. Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 file: 25-50

• Earlier rating: 24

• Subsequent video games: @ MIL (Apr. 3), vs. DET (Apr. 5), vs. PHI (Apr. 6), vs. SA (Apr. 9)

The Grizzlies broke an NBA file that no crew needs when guard Zavier Simpson checked into Saturday’s loss to the Magic. He was the thirty first participant to see sport motion for Memphis this season, probably the most by any crew in league historical past. Simpson is considered one of 10 gamers to signal 10-day offers because the crew has handled a myriad of accidents all through the marketing campaign. Memphis has had 21 completely different gamers function starters. Of their last seven video games, the Grizz should face the Bucks, Cavs and Nuggets. — MacMahon

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24. Utah Jazz
2023-24 file: 29-47

Screening shall be a focus for second-year heart Walker Kessler’s summer time growth. The Jazz have averaged solely 0.93 factors off of Kessler screens this season, in line with Second Spectrum monitoring, which ranks within the thirty third percentile. For Kessler, who has proved he can affect video games as a rim protector, screening is an particularly essential talent for a giant man who would not have the capturing vary to stretch the ground — MacMahon

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25. San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 file: 18-58

• Earlier rating: 25

• Subsequent video games: @ NO (Apr. 5), vs. PHI (Apr. 7), @ MEM (Apr. 9), @ OKC (Apr. 10)

Because the Spurs enter the ultimate stretch in Victor Wembanyama’s rookie season, they’re going to achieve this with out injured starters Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan. Vassell was averaging a career-best 19.5 factors and had 87 assists to Wembanyama, whereas Sochan had settled right into a defensive position after beginning the marketing campaign because the crew’s level guard. Tre Jones, first on the crew in assists per sport (6.1), will play a key position in serving to Wembanyama and the crew of their efforts to complete the season robust. — Lopez

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26. Toronto Raptors
2023-24 file: 23-52

• Earlier rating: 26

• Subsequent video games: @ MIN (Apr. 3), @ MIL (Apr. 5), vs. WAS (Apr. 7), vs. IND (Apr. 9)

Toronto loved having each RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley again within the lineup on Tuesday in opposition to the Lakers because it performs out the string. Extra importantly, Toronto has slipped into sixth place in NBA draft lottery positioning. If the Raptors are in a position to preserve that spot, it might give them a very good likelihood of maintaining their top-six-protected first-round choose that they despatched to the Spurs ultimately season’s commerce deadline for Jakob Poeltl. — Bontemps

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27. Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 file: 18-57

• Earlier rating: 28

• Subsequent video games: vs. POR (Apr. 3), vs. ORL (Apr. 5), vs. OKC (Apr. 7), vs. DAL (Apr. 9)

Brandon Miller has made it no secret that Paul George is his GOAT, and Miller is considered one of a rising variety of tall wings who emulate George. On Sunday, Miller received an opportunity to go up in opposition to George in what was a memorable duel, as George exploded for a season-high 41 factors in a Clippers win whereas Miller impressed with 22 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists. “He’ll be actually good, ton of expertise. Cannot wait to see him absolutely blossomed and be a kind of guys that carry the league for a very long time,” George mentioned of Miller after the sport. “He can play make, rating, shoot it from deep, put the ball on the bottom — and he is nonetheless figuring it out.” — Youngmisuk

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28. Portland Path Blazers
2023-24 file: 19-56

• Earlier rating: 27

• Subsequent video games: @ CHA (Apr. 3), @ WAS (Apr. 5), @ BOS (Apr. 7), vs. NO (Apr. 9)

A ten-game dropping streak has the Blazers trying towards subsequent season and what they’ll do with Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simmons and DeAndre Ayton. There have been glimpses of their potential, however accidents have hindered Portland’s efforts. The crew should do some offseason work to construct round their younger core — particularly Henderson, whose minus-58 level differential in a loss to Miami final week was the bottom in NBA historical past for a single sport. — Andrews

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29. Washington Wizards
2023-24 file: 15-61

• Earlier rating: 29

• Subsequent video games: vs. LAL (Apr. 3), vs. POR (Apr. 5), @ TOR (Apr. 7), @ MIN (Apr. 9)

Whereas rookie Bilal Coulibaly’s season ended because of a proper wrist fracture a few weeks in the past, the promising 6-foot-8 guard is seeing what he can glean from these last matchups. “I am studying simply by watching the sport,” he advised Monumental Sports activities Community. “I am seeing issues I wasn’t once I was enjoying. It is a chance to get higher.” Coulibaly averaged 8.4 factors and 4.1 rebounds in 63 video games this season. “I am pleased with myself as a result of I’ve proved that I belong within the NBA,” he mentioned. “I proved that I can guard the very best gamers on every crew. Simply proving that I generally is a good participant offensively too.”— Youngmisuk

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30. Detroit Pistons
2023-24 file: 13-62

• Earlier rating: 30

• Subsequent video games: @ ATL (Apr. 3), @ MEM (Apr. 5), @ BKN (Apr. 6), @ PHI (Apr. 9)

The Pistons beat the Wizards final week to snap an eight-game dropping streak because of former No. 1 draft choose Cade Cunningham, who has put up 30 factors in three straight outings. Cunningham has scored at the least 30 in 18 video games this season, probably the most by any Pistons participant since Blake Griffin (2018-19) and a silver lining for a crew making an attempt to keep away from ending with the worst file within the league in back-to-back seasons. — Collier