NBA · 1 year ago

NBA Playoff Power Rankings: Wolves Emerging as West’s Best?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

13. Miami Heat
No one expected the Miami Heat to be truly in their series with the Boston Celtics, but shockingly enough, they stole Game 2 in Boston. They weren't able to drum up anything as an encore on their home floor in Games 3 & 4, with their season expected to end tonight in Boston.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves proved in their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns that they are no joke, and Anthony Edwards proved that he is here to stay. Entering their second-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets, the Wolves are understandably the underdog but don’t tell this roster that. They’re full of confidence, beaming with momentum, and won’t back down from any challenge. They’ve been the most impressive team in the postseason thus far, and are set to put on another show next round.
2. Boston Celtics
After an ugly Game 2 loss on their home floor, the Boston Celtics responded in dominating fashion in Games 3 & 4, setting themselves up to advance on their home floor tonight in Game 5. Unfortunately, it will have to be without Kristaps Porzingis, who appears to be expected to miss the remainder of this series and the second round. Still, they likely won’t need him until the Conference Finals anyway.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
After a Game 1 nailbiter, the Oklahoma City Thunder turned it on as they dominated the New Orleans Pelicans en route to a first-round sweep. In the second round, they’ll have their hands full with either a healthy LA Clippers squad or a peaking Dallas Mavericks team, but despite the Thunder’s youth, they are playing like a team that’s been here before.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets ultimately took care of the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, but I think it’s fair to say that they didn’t necessarily look to be playing up to their championship-level potential. Yes, they pulled off multiple late-game comebacks due to Jamal Murray’s resiliency in particular and some erratic play from the Lakers, but in this league, all that matters is that you survive in advance. However, they’ll need to play much more complete basketball to avoid getting upset by the surging Minnesota Timberwolves.
5. New York Knicks
After struggling in Games 1 & 2 of this series, Jalen Brunson has been a monster as a scorer sense, with the length and athleticism of the New York Knicks’ role players causing fits for the Philadelphia 76ers. Losing Game 5 the way they did was a gut-punch when they had their sights of a second-round advancement within their view, but they still had two opportunities to win one game. The 76ers are very dangerous, especially considering they’ve yet to play a complete game, so the Knicks will need a significant all-around effort to avoid getting eliminated in the first round.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
Despite being down 3-2 to the New York Knicks, I believe it’s fair to say that if this series were played 10 times, the Philadelphia 76ers would be up in it more often than not. Game 2 was a refereeing disaster and the 76ers offense couldn’t play competent basketball in the fourth quarter of Game 4, but yet, they’re still down 3-2 heading back to Philly. Tyrese Maxey has been sensational for the 76ers and Joel Embiid is giving them what he can despite his ailments, so let’s sit back and buckle up for the rest of this series that will be remembered for years.
7. Dallas Mavericks
I’m a bit disappointed in the Dallas Mavericks, as given how they ended the regular season, I expected them to smoke the LA Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. Well, here we are with a knotted-up series where the Clippers have received timely heroic efforts from Paul George and James Harden. I need to see the Mavs’ role players continue to step up and a signature Luka Doncic scoring performance at some point because there is no excuse for this Mavs team to get bounced by the short-handed Clippers in the first round. None.
8. LA Clippers
For the LA Clippers to be tied 2-2 with the Dallas Mavericks heading into Game 5 with Kawhi Leonard sidelined is a success in my books. Paul George needs to mimic his Game 4 performance while James Harden needs to remain consistent as a scorer for them to win this series somehow, but if they’re able to defend their home court tonight, watch out if Kawhi can return for Game 6.
9. Indiana Pacers
The series between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks has been essentially forgotten about in NBA circles, but still, it was annoying to see the Pacers' inability to close out the Bucks in Game 5 with both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the sideline. However, if they can finish the job at home in Game 6, then I guess there will be no harm, but it’s hard to imagine this team beating either New York or Philadelphia in the next round regardless.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the regular season in disastrous fashion but are up 3-2 in their series with the Orlando Magic. I didn’t see this coming at all as I had no faith in the Cavs, but to be honest, I still have no faith in them as I don’t see how it’s possible for them to take down the Boston Celtics in the second round if they don’t find a way to blow it against the Magic. Still, kudos for holding on to Donovan Mitchell for a little longer before he finds a way out of Cleveland this offseason.
11. Orlando Magic
Personally, I expected that despite their youth and inexperience, the Orlando Magic would find a way to win this series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Currently sitting down 3-2 after a narrow loss in Game 5, I still do believe that they can give the Cavs everything they can handle in a potential Game 7, assuming they take care of business in Game 6. Regardless of the outcome, this is invaluable experience for the young Magic to build off heading into next season.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined in this series, it is difficult to imagine the Milwaukee Bucks making any sort of postseason run, and that only got multiplied when Damian Lillard went down to injury as well. However, somehow, the Bucks were able to avoid elimination in Game 5 thanks to outstanding efforts by their collection of role players, but going into Indiana without Giannis and Dame again likely feels like an uphill battle.
13. Miami Heat
No one expected the Miami Heat to be truly in their series with the Boston Celtics, but shockingly enough, they stole Game 2 in Boston. They weren't able to drum up anything as an encore on their home floor in Games 3 & 4, with their season expected to end tonight in Boston.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves proved in their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns that they are no joke, and Anthony Edwards proved that he is here to stay. Entering their second-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets, the Wolves are understandably the underdog but don’t tell this roster that. They’re full of confidence, beaming with momentum, and won’t back down from any challenge. They’ve been the most impressive team in the postseason thus far, and are set to put on another show next round.