There are only a few games left before the end of the regular season, and the start of very serious things, with the “play-in” then the playoffs, in order to designate the team that will succeed the Nuggets, reigning champions. The battle for position in the final stretch therefore promises to be intense, as some teams gain momentum while others suffer…
After having validated first place in the East, and undoubtedly soon in the league, Boston (59-16) still hovering, with even crazier offensive efficiency since the All-Star Break, with 126.9 points scored over 100 possessions! Joe Mazzulla's men are the team that takes the most 3-pointers in the NBA over the period (42.3 attempts per game), while being the most skillful team in the exercise (41.4%). Obviously, this allows them to explode a lot of defenses. The question is whether they do not rely too much on this weapon ahead of the playoffs, with the risk of being too dependent on it, while their management of “money-time” also always raises questions.
West, Denver (53-23), Minnesota (52-23) And Oklahoma City (52-23) are still held in a pocket handkerchief and everything can still evolve on the conference podium.
The three teams thus embark on this final sprint also knowing that the important thing is also to attack the playoffs in the best possible state. Among the Nuggets, we are awaiting the return of Jamal Murray, while the Wolves hope to find Karl-Anthony Towns in the playoffs, when Anthony Edwards seems to be sticking his tongue out. Finally, at the Thunder, it's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who has to treat a few minor injuries.
Outsiders in doubt
Behind this quartet which remains solid despite injuries, it is much less clear. Still in 2nd place in the East, Milwaukee (47-28) did not find certainties with the arrival of Doc Rivers. The game more focused on the Damian Lillard – Giannis Antetokounmpo duo did not produce miraculous effects, and the excitement of the away team, with a final defeat on the Wizards floor, was enough to worry the fans …
Atmosphere quite similar to Cleveland (46-30), in big difficulty since the All-Star Break. The various injuries have undermined the playing identity developed in December and January, and the Cavaliers are unable to revive with the playoffs fast approaching. Will they be able to maintain their 3rd place in the East?
In the West, the LA Clippers (47-28) are also in a similar situation. At the moment, they are still in 4th place in the conference, therefore having home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but the defense has collapsed lately, with problems repeating the necessary efforts on this side parquet. And on offense, James Harden often seems out of his depth and generally ineffective, especially when he is deprived of his preferred options on the pick-and-roll, when Kawhi Leonard's knee creaks.
The battle for middle earth
In both conferences, places for the last seats that directly qualify for the playoffs are worth a lot. Orlando (44-31), New York (44-31), Indiana (43-33), Miami (42-33) And Philadelphia (41-35) will undoubtedly fight until the end to enter the Top 6 of the East.
The Magic and the Knicks can even aim for the Top 3, if the Cavs continue to slide. With their solid defense, Paolo Banchero & Co. continue their great campaign, although their offensive limitations remain a problem. As for the Knicks, they rely on their identity, dear to Tom Thibodeau, with soldiers who play a lot, but their playoff campaign will depend on the returns to play of Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, which are still unclear.
Restructured during the trade deadline, with the departure of Buddy Hield and the arrival of Pascal Siakam, the Pacers are still digesting the changes, having won in defense, but lost in attack, not to mention that Tyrese Haliburton went through a big crisis of skill and that Bennedict Mathurin will not return this season.
The Heat, for their part, can rely on their defense and the habit of seeing Jimmy Butler excel during end-of-season games. As Josh Hart says, the Florida winger is like a video game fan who does side quests during the regular season before focusing on the main storyline in the playoffs. Still, Miami came close to being penalized last year during the play-in and this game is particularly dangerous…
As for the Sixers, the return of Joel Embiid obviously changes everything, and allows us to dream again.
Representation of offensive and defensive efficiency since the All-Star Break
Representation of offensive and defensive efficiency since the All-Star BreakIn the West, there will also be a fight to the end between Dallas (45-30), New Orleans (45-30), Sacramento (44-31), Phoenix (44-31), LA Lakers (43-33) And Golden State (41-34).
Very smart who can determine who will go directly to the playoffs and who will have to go through the “play-in”. With their few additional defeats, the Lakers and the Warriors will undoubtedly have difficulty re-entering the Top 6 by the end of the campaign, but they will undoubtedly not be good to take in the life and death matches.
Building on their good series, stopped by the Warriors, the Mavericks lead the group but if the team has more size, the extreme dependence of Jason Kidd's formation on the Luka Doncic – Kyrie Irving tandem seems to limit its prospects in the playoffs. It's also difficult to see how far the Pelicans can go in the playoffs, as they await the return of Brandon Ingram and are looking for the best possible collective balance…
As for the Kings, with the withdrawals of Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, they have lost their offensive strike force, and not sure that they will scare many people as the playoffs approach. The Suns remain an enigma. Their “Big Three” can bring down anyone in a match, but the collective chemistry remains a work in progress. A few days before the end of the regular season, this is not reassuring, like the multiple missed fourth quarters.
At best the play-in?
To the East, Chicago (36-40) And Atlanta (35-40) seem destined to face each other in play-in, in order to then be able to challenge the loser of the match between the 7th and 8th, to then face the Celtics in the first round…
It's hard to see the Bulls and Hawks going very far, even if the latter can get Trae Young back by the postseason. West, Houston (38-37) has lost ground on the Warriors and with three more defeats and no tie-breaker, the Rockets will have a hard time clinching the Top 10 in their conference.
Nevertheless, for Jalen Green and company, an end to the season with the stakes until the end is already a victory.
Freewheeling teams…and the Spurs
At the back of the class, we find the teams whose season is over a long time ago, and others who gave up along the way. Brooklyn (29-47) can still mathematically climb into play-in, but no one believes in it anymore among the Nets, while Utah (29-47) remains on ten defeats in a row, and Toronto (23-52) out of 14…
Memphis (25-50) will undoubtedly want to turn the page on this dark season as quickly as possible, while Portland (19-56), Charlotte (18-57), Washington (15-61) And Detroit (13-62) already only thinking about the Draft.
Cade Cunningham's Pistons are still perhaps hoping to improve their record a little, just to avoid setting themselves the worst record in the club's history (16-66), which dates from 1979/80. This is perhaps also a goal for San Antonio (18-58) and Victor Wembanyama, who are only two victories away from the worst record in the history of the Texan franchise (20-62), recorded in 1996/97, during Gregg Popovich's first season.
But the Spurs are a bit different in the broom car because they have shown a much better level of play since the All-Star Game. Enough to at least allow them to leave last place in the Western Conference?
