As the NBA All-Star break comes to an end, teams are gearing up for the home stretch of the regular season. With fewer than 30 games remaining on the schedule, every team is either preparing for a playoff push or strategizing to secure the most ping pong balls for the upcoming Draft Lottery. In this week’s NBA Power Rankings by CBS Sports, we take a look at each team’s reason for hope or concern as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Boston Celtics, currently ranked first in the Eastern Conference, have been an excellent basketball team this season. However, there is a reason for concern if their goal is to win a championship. The Celtics struggle to get to the rim, ranking in the NBA’s bottom five in shot attempts in the restricted area and in the bottom 10 in free throw attempts. While their three-point shooting has compensated for this deficiency, their lack of ability or desire to get to the basket could catch up with them in the playoffs.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a tremendous team all season, boasting the league’s best defense. Their recent wins against top teams like the Clippers, Bucks, and Thunder bode well for their postseason performance. With a strong record against teams above .500, the Timberwolves have reason for hope as they head into the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have a reason for concern when it comes to their offense. Without Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor, their offensive production drops significantly. In order to win a seven-game series in the playoffs, the Thunder will need to generate enough offense during the minutes that Gilgeous-Alexander is off the court.
The Los Angeles Clippers have two superstars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George who have been dominant when playing together. With a net rating of plus-14 points per 100 possessions in their minutes, the Clippers are virtually unstoppable. Despite concerns about the health of Leonard and George, their presence on the court gives the Clippers reason for hope as they head into the playoffs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the hottest team in the league since January 1st, with an 18-3 record during that stretch. However, most of their wins have come against lower-ranked teams. It will be interesting to see how the Cavaliers perform against tougher competition as they head into the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets, known for their strong offense, have seen a decline in their offensive performance this season. Ranked 13th in offense after finishing fifth last season, the Nuggets will need to turn it up a notch during the home stretch in order to make a deep playoff run.
The New York Knicks have shown promise with their starting lineup, boasting a net rating of plus-17 points per 100 possessions. With a healthy lineup, the Knicks have a shot to beat anyone in a playoff series, giving them reason for hope as they head into the postseason.
The Milwaukee Bucks, despite being third in the Eastern Conference, have faced negative discourse this season. However, under new coach Doc Rivers, their defense has improved, giving them reason for optimism moving forward.
The Phoenix Suns have had an up-and-down season but have shown their potential as a championship contender when their three stars, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, are healthy. With impressive offensive and defensive ratings when these players are on the floor together, the Suns have reason for hope as they head into the playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans are on the cusp of the top four in the Western Conference. However, their starting lineup has a negative net rating, raising concerns about their performance with their best players on the court.
The Dallas Mavericks have shown improvement in their defense since January 1st. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the offense, the key for the Mavericks will be their defense as they head into the home stretch.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ success heavily relies on the presence of Joel Embiid. With a 6-14 record without Embiid and a 26-8 record with him, the 76ers’ playoff run will depend on his health.
The Indiana Pacers have made a significant move by acquiring Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. With Siakam and All-Star Tyrese Haliburton on the floor, the Pacers have outscored opponents by nearly nine points per 100 possessions, giving them reason for hope as they head into the playoffs.
The Sacramento Kings have improved their defense but have seen a decline in their offense compared to last season. With stars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox leading the team, the Kings will need their offense to be dominant in order to succeed in the playoffs.
The Orlando Magic have become an elite defensive team this season, ranking fifth in the league. Despite their struggles on offense, their strong defense gives them reason for hope as they head into the home stretch.
The Miami Heat have had a