NBA Power Rankings: 30 Words for 30 Teams

Welcome to theScore's biweekly NBA power rankings, where you'll find roughly 30 words on all 30 teams every other week through the end of the season.

1. San Antonio Spurs (52-15)

Their home loss to Portland notwithstanding, the Spurs have been the West's - and league's - best in the wake of Golden State sputtering over its last eight games.

2. Golden State Warriors (53-14)

A drop-off sans Durant was expected, but not to this extent. The Warriors are 3-4 since KD went down, and needed a 28-14 fourth quarter to eek out a two-point win over Philly.

3. Houston Rockets (47-21)

Houston has doubled down on its high-variance approach, hoisting 45.4 3-pointers per game since trading for Lou Williams. That's bound to stick in the craw of Mike D'Antoni, who wants them shooting 50.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-22)

Cleveland's weathered a tough stretch and is finally getting healthy, with J.R. Smith back and Kevin Love's return around the corner. They looked like the playoff Cavs in their dismantling of Detroit.

5. Utah Jazz (43-25)

The Jazz have a hellacious finishing slate, but they've given themselves a nice cushion for home court in the first round, with a three-game lead - and a head-to-head edge - over the Clippers.

6. Washington Wizards (41-26)

Washington continued its torrid pace with a 4-1 Western road trip, but they can't afford a misstep, as 10 of their final 15 games come on the road, nine of 15 are against playoff teams, and they still have three more back-to-backs.

7. Los Angeles Clippers (40-28)

So much for Chris Paul's return and a finally healthy Big Four fueling a Clippers run. L.A. is a measly 5-6 since its Point God rejoined the lineup on Feb. 24.

8. Boston Celtics (43-25)

Boston is having its way with the opposition lately, blowing out Golden State, Chicago, and Minnesota to maintain possession of the East's No. 2 seed.

9. Toronto Raptors (39-28)

Toronto has won seven of 11, and boasts a top-nine defense since trading for Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, but they likely have to win at least 10 of their final 15 to avoid Cleveland in the postseason's first two rounds.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (38-29)

A four-game losing streak to non-playoff teams wasn't ideal, but since then, the Thunder have strung together three straight victories against the likes of San Antonio and Utah.

11. Memphis Grizzlies (38-30)

Memphis bounced back from a five-game losing streak with wins over Milwaukee and Chicago, but over their last 10 outings, the Grizzlies have given up 112.9 points per 100 possessions (28th).

12. Miami Heat (33-35)

Miami pulled out two wins in three nights against Cleveland, and owns the league's second-best record post-All-Star break. The Heat are two games back of the sixth seed in the East, which is remarkable considering their 11-30 start.

13. Atlanta Hawks (37-30)

Atlanta picked up a big win against Toronto, securing the tiebreaker as they jostle for home court. They continue to win with defense, but it's slipped since the All-Star break.

14. Denver Nuggets (32-35)

Over his last 31 games, Nikola Jokic averaged 20.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting better than 38 percent from deep. Only Larry Bird has done that over a full season.

15. Milwaukee Bucks (33-34)

You wouldn't know it looking at his basic numbers, but Khris Middleton has actually been better in 15 games post-hamstring tear than he was in his stellar 2015-16 campaign. Oh, and the Bucks are 10-5 with him in the lineup.

16. Indiana Pacers (35-33)

Give Indiana credit for its consistency, as humdrum as it may be. The team's alternated wins and losses every game since Feb. 24. What it can take pride in is its third-ranked defense during that span.

17. Detroit Pistons (33-35)

Detroit got savaged in a back-to-back against Cleveland and Utah, but its about to enter a pillowy stretch that should help solidify a playoff spot. Tobias Harris has been balling.

18. New Orleans Pelicans (27-41)

Their playoff hopes are just about cooked, so these final 14 games will be about gauging what this team - and the Cousins-Davis frontcourt - can be. Alvin Gentry may be coaching for his job.

19. Portland Trail Blazers (30-37)

They're 6-2 in March, just beat the Spurs, Damian Lillard is torching dudes, Jusuf Nurkic looks rejuvenated, 10 of their final 15 games come at home, and only five come against .500-or-better teams.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (28-39)

Karl-Anthony Towns has been nearly unstoppable since the All-Star break, ranking sixth in scoring (28 PPG) and second in rebounding (15 RPG) while shooting 63 percent from the field and 42 percent from deep.

21. Dallas Mavericks (29-38)

Since starting the season 11-27, the Mavs have the NBA's seventh-best record (18-11), seventh-best net rating (+4.5 per 100 possessions), and No. 5 defense (103.4).

22. Chicago Bulls (32-36)

Chicago's free fall has everyone pointing fingers, with most directed at Fred Hoiberg. A 2-6 record in March and being on the outside looking in will do that to a squad - as will losing Dwyane Wade.

23. Charlotte Hornets (29-39)

All things considered, Charlotte has probably been the Eastern Conference's most disappointing team, sitting four games out of a playoff spot with 14 to play.

24. New York Knicks (27-41)

There are 14 games left, and the Knicks are still running triangle seminars for their baffled players. That's about all you need to know about the state of the franchise.

25. Sacramento Kings (27-41)

Could that be ... hope in Sacramento? The Kings have been surprisingly not terrible since trading Boogie (their net rating has improved), and Skal Labissiere is looking like the steal of the draft.

26. Philadelphia 76ers (24-43)

It's Dario Saric's time to shine in the City of Brotherly Love. Saric has averaged 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 47.3 percent shooting over his last 15 games.

27. Orlando Magic (24-44)

Orlando's offense has improved since the Ibaka trade bumped everyone back to their natural positions, but it's still bad. And the defense, which was no great shakes to begin with, has careened off a cliff.

28. Phoenix Suns (22-46)

Falling to the Lakers and Kings won't exactly boost morale for the young core, and neither will losing guard Eric Bledsoe for the rest of the season.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (20-48)

The Lakers have played at a 65-loss pace since their stunning 10-10 start to the year, and one of their vets doesn't exactly sound sold on the team's young talent.

30. Brooklyn Nets (12-54)

Between some of the minor moves GM Sean Marks has made, the offer-sheet pursuits of Tyler Johnson, Allen Crabbe, and Donatas Motiejunas, and now Biggie Night, the Nets are forming what resembles a functional NBA front office.