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We have entered the homestretch. The NBA season has just four weeks left, and each game holds more weight in the seeding races that are shaking out in both conferences. This week, we have a new member of the top five, and the Knicks make a three-spot jump. Here’s a look at this week’s power rankings:
1. Phoenix Suns (1)
Week recap: 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS
Phoenix is doing everything it can to grab the highest seed possible in the Western Conference, and took a big step toward that goal by beating the Jazz on April 7. The Suns were caught in a bad spot the next night against the Clippers, but still managed to post a +9.4 net rating over their five games. They hold a two-game lead in the Pacific Division with 18 games left, but are still +100 to win it at BetMGM.
2. Brooklyn Nets (2)
Week recap: 2-1 SU/2-1 ATS
The sky was falling after a loss to the Lakers on Saturday, but the Nets showed their ability in blowout wins over the Pelicans and Timberwolves. Kevin Durant is back, but James Harden is still sidelined and Kyrie Irving played just 51 minutes last week. The Nets allowed just 107.7 points per 100 possessions to their three opponents. Is that something to watch or an anomaly courtesy of a soft schedule?
3. Utah Jazz (3)
Week recap: 3-2 SU/2-3 ATS
Donovan Mitchell averaged 40.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting in the first three games of the week and had a highlight moment when he forced overtime against the Suns on April 7. The loss to the Wizards on Monday is unacceptable for a team contending for a title, but Utah still posted the third-best net rating in the league at +7.2 despite losing twice.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (4)
Week recap: 3-1 SU/3-1 ATS
Philadelphia had a really odd blunder against the Pelicans last Friday, but looked downright dominant in its three wins in the past week. The 76ers led the league in defensive efficiency for the week by allowing just 97.0 points per 100 possessions, and Joel Embiid averaged 29.3 points and 7.6 rebounds on 54.7 percent shooting in their victories. If that combination of offense and defense finds its way into the postseason, this team will be deadly.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (8)
Week recap: 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS
What a week for the Clippers, who led the league in offensive efficiency by a wide margin (127.6) thanks to their league-leading 47.6 3-point shooting percentage. They did get some bad news, though: Patrick Beverley will be out about four weeks with a broken hand. Serge Ibaka is still out, and Paul George will be dealing with his toe injury all season. Will injuries derail another seemingly promising campaign?
Clippers’ Patrick Beverley will miss about a month with a broken hand. NBAE via Getty Images6. Denver Nuggets (6)
7. Milwaukee Bucks (5)
8. Miami Heat (9)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (10)
10. Boston Celtics (11)
11. Knicks (14)
Week recap: 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS
How can the Knicks not jump this high? Their 4-0 ATS week is part of a larger 6-0 ATS run, and they are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games. It should come as no surprise that the Knicks finished the week second in defensive efficiency (104.2), but their offensive output was unexpected. The Knicks put up 1.104 points per possession against their opponents, something that has been missing from their arsenal all season.




