30 Words for 30 Teams: Sixers surge to No. 4 in NBA Power Rankings
Welcome to theScore's biweekly NBA Power Rankings, where you'll find roughly 30 words on all 30 teams every other Tuesday throughout the season.
1. Houston Rockets
With Chris Paul in street clothes, the Rockets' third double-digit win streak of the season was snapped by a familiar foe Sunday. But they've still won 28 of their last 30 games and clinched homecourt throughout the playoffs.
- Joe Wolfond
2. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors lose fresh bodies every time they step on the court, but so long as they're healthy when it really matters, the reigning champions will remain the favorites. Please remember that this team went 16-1 through the playoffs last year. - William Lou
3. Boston Celtics
After a bit of a midseason malaise, these guys look like the early-season Celtics again. They're playing ferocious defense, dominating in crunch time, and beating quality opponent after quality opponent despite a ridiculous spate of injuries. - Wolfond
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are banged up, but only one team owns a 10-game win streak going into Tuesday. Five of their last seven are against lottery teams, too. The East's third seed is in sight. - John Chick
5. Toronto Raptors
As always, the Raptors hit adversity in April. Going 4-3 through a dead part of the schedule is hardly a reason to panic, but fans need every bit of confidence heading into yet another stressful playoff run. - Lou
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James is five games from playing a full 82 for the first time in his 15-year career. He's also leading the league in minutes per game, while ranking third in points, second in assists, and third in PER. He has at least one person's MVP vote. - Wolfond
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Credit the Blazers for outperforming their point differential, as they sit 19 games over .500 without being elite on either end. The big improvement from the last few seasons is that this team can defend, which makes them a lot more dangerous. - Lou
8. San Antonio Spurs
A turbulent year has taken a positive turn lately. The Spurs are 8-2 in their last 10 and just spanked the Rockets. They need to win out to keep their streak of 50-win seasons intact. - Chick
9. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers' offense remains potent despite its reliance on mid-range jumpers, and their defense has quietly crept up to 13th in the league. It might be time to stop sleeping on this team. - Wolfond
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz will unquestionably be a tough out thanks to their shutdown defense, but can this team score when it matters most? Rookie guard Donovan Mitchell will have to carry the franchise on his shoulders. - Lou
11. Oklahoma City Thunder
Whatever happens to the Thunder's Big Three, there'll be consternation that this team couldn't win 50 games. But like the Raptors, it only matters what this squad does in the playoffs. - Chick
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
As electric as Karl-Anthony Towns has been, Jimmy Butler's return can't come soon enough for a team that's in real danger of falling out of the West playoff picture. Two massive remaining games against Denver will determine their fate. - Wolfond
13. Washington Wizards
John Wall recovered nicely from knee surgery, and that's all that truly matters. Wall and Bradley Beal are known for stepping up in the playoffs, and they should feel confident about facing anyone in the first round short of Cleveland. - Lou
14. Denver Nuggets
Denver sits in ninth out West but remains in striking distance. Paul Millsap is taking charge, averaging 24.5 points on 61 percent shooting in his last four games. - Chick
15. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans has lost four in a row, which is dangerous in the West's bunched-up bottom five. Going into Tuesday they're in eighth, ahead of Denver by one game. - Chick
16. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks' stupefying collapse against the Nuggets on Sunday was another reminder that few teams, if any, have greater quarter-to-quarter variance than these vexing underachievers. - Wolfond
17. Miami Heat
Miami should wrap up a playoff spot this week with two dates against the Hawks and one with the Knicks. The timing of Hassan Whiteside's tantrum wasn't great, though. - Chick
18. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have won seven of eight, but it's too little too late. They'll need to win out and get help to make the playoffs. - Chick
19. Los Angeles Clippers
You have to credit the Clippers for not throwing in the towel, but they're running out of time. Doc Rivers has proven his coaching chops by leading this rag-tag team through a tumultuous year, but it simply lacks the talent to string together a legitimate win streak to sneak into the playoffs. - Lou
20. Charlotte Hornets
Congrats to Kemba Walker, who became the Hornets' all-time leading scorer last week. How long he'll be around to pad his lead is a question that will hover over the team throughout the spring and summer. - Wolfond
21. Los Angeles Lakers
Some Lakers fans are disappointed that their late playoff push fell short, but it was a good year. Lonzo Ball handled the spotlight with grace, Kyle Kuzma emerged as the steal of the draft, and they cleared cap room for their shopping spree this summer. - Lou
22. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are shutting guys down in a last-ditch effort to make up ground in the tank race, but it's too little too late. Still, it's been a solid developmental season for most of their young players. - Wolfond
23. New York Knicks
The Knicks avoided any major scandals this season, and that counts as progress by their standards. Adding a top-flight wing to pair with Kristaps Porzingis in this year's loaded draft will be of utmost importance. - Lou
24. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets still don't have anyone who looks like a foundational future star, but they have plenty of intriguing pieces who should at least give them a high floor moving forward. This team could look a lot like the Heat in a couple years.
- Wolfond
25. Sacramento Kings
With four games left in the season, the only question surrounding the Kings is whether we're seeing the end of Vince Carter's career. - Chick
26. Dallas Mavericks
The same question exists in Dallas with Dirk Nowitzki, although most signs point to him returning for a 21st season. - Chick
27. Orlando Magic
Never forget that this team started the season 8-4. They're 14-50 since then, and it's clear they need to reboot their rebuild once again. At least the defense has been better of late. - Wolfond
28. Atlanta Hawks
All in all, it was yet another forgettable season for the Hawks. The best thing going was in-arena entertainer Hot Sauce's undefeated streak, but even that came to an end last week. - Lou
29. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies lost by 61 points to the Hornets. Many nights, they resemble a G League team. Still, they're not at the bottom of the barrel. - Chick
30. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have lost 15 in a row and didn't win a game in March. The last time they beat a team not named the Grizzlies was on Jan. 31. - Chick
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)