NBA Team Playoff Power Rankings: Semifinals

With the second round of the NBA playoffs in full swing, with an electric Game 1 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, the playoff field is down to the final four in each respective conference. Let’s examine the teams remaining in the playoff picture and rank where they stack up in the latest power rankings.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The current odds-on favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder have more than proven themselves worthy of the top spot. The Thunder throttled a scrappy Memphis Grizzlies team in a 4-game sweep in the opening round. It showcased how they set the NBA record for Net Rating by a team with a +13.5 rating during the regular season. Led by the presumptive MVP favorite in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder hold a firm grip on the No. 1 spot in the playoff power rankings.

2. Boston Celtics

The reigning champs started their journey toward a potential repeat with a bang by handily dispatching a dangerous Orlando Magic team in 5 games in the first round. The Celtics’ incredible depth continues to stand as one of the main reasons they remain heavy favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Despite Celtics Guard Jrue Holiday being forced to miss the remainder of the Magic series, Boston cruised past the Magic. This depth is why the Celtics come in No. 2 in the playoff power rankings.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Coming into the postseason, the Timberwolves were one of only a handful of teams to finish in the top 10 in both three-point shooting and defensive rating. The Wolves flexed those rankings mightily in their first-round upset of the Los Angeles Lakers. While Anthony Edwards had a relatively quiet series against the Lakers, it was the play of his Minnesota teammates Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Julius Randle that helped push the Wolves to the second round. The Timberwolves are a well-coached and hungry team. That is why they come in at the third spot in the playoff power rankings.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

The unclear injury status of All-Star Guard Darius Garland is one of the reasons the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers are not sitting higher on this list. The absence of Garland was evident in the Cavs Game 1 matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Garland is one of the best floor generals in the NBA. If he is out for the long-term it could spell doom for Cleveland’s championship hopes. They would be higher in the power rankings if Garland were healthy.

5. Denver Nuggets

Despite the firing of long-time Head Coach Mike Malone shortly before the playoffs began, the Nuggets have been able to weather the storm and showcase their championship pedigree. The much improved play of Russell Westbrook as well as Jamal Murray finding his rhythm has the Nuggets looking as dangerous as ever. Also, with a three-time MVP in Nikola Jokic still raking up triple-doubles nightly, the Nuggets find themselves at the fifth spot in the playoff power rankings.

6. New York Knicks

On paper, the Knicks should be higher in the power rankings, but their regular season record against the teams ahead of them leaves much to be desired. The Knicks went a combined 0-10 against the Cavs, Thunder, and Celtics during the regular season, with many of those games not being competitive. While the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns has provided the Knicks with more firepower on offense, Towns’ career playoff inconsistency could be the reason the Knicks falter in their second-round series against the Celtics.

7. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers remain one of the harder teams to evaluate when it comes to their postseason play. While some doubters of the Pacers may continue to point out Indiana’s luck when it comes to facing teams with injuries to their best players, that criticism ignores the overall play the Pacers have shown. The overall offensive balance and unselfish play shown by the Pacers continue to be the main reasons Indiana has given teams fits the last two postseasons. The only question that remains for the Pacers is if Tyrese Haliburton can continue his stellar play as the Pacers seek to upset the Cavaliers.

8. Golden State Warriors

The midseason acquisition of Jimmy Butler continued to a revelation for the Warriors in their first-round series against the Houston Rockets. However, Golden State’s lack of size as well the ages of their franchise star Stephen Curry showed throughout the Rockets series. While this placement of the Warriors in the playoff power rankings is certainly not a show of doubt for the team, their previously referenced weaknesses as a whole are too much to ignore.