NBA Power Rankings: Bucks stand atop the league, Pacers plummet
During the regular season, theScore's NBA Power Rankings will be published every two weeks.
1. Milwaukee Bucks (52-18)
The Bucks remain the class of the NBA with a net differential of 8.8 points per 100 possessions - an impressive 2.9 points ahead of the next team. Milwaukee is on pace to finish with 60-plus wins for the first time since 1980-81.
2. Golden State Warriors (47-21)
Aside from a loss to the lowly Suns, the Warriors appear to have righted the ship. Golden State has won three of its past four games, including victories over the Nuggets, Thunder, and Rockets to reclaim the top spot in the West.
3. Toronto Raptors (49-21)
Following February's seven-game winning streak, Toronto has had its share of ups and downs. The Raptors blew out the Celtics in a primetime matchup and were arguably just as humiliated in a 25-point loss against the Cavaliers. To make matters worse, Dwane Casey's Pistons completed the season sweep against the coach's former club.
4. Houston Rockets (44-26)
With the Rockets finally at full health, they're starting to resemble the squad that took the Warriors to the brink of elimination in last season's Western Conference final. While Houston's nine-game winning streak was recently snapped by Golden State, the club can take solace from topping its nemesis in three of four regular-season meetings.
5. Denver Nuggets (46-22)
It's no surprise that the Nuggets boast the league's fourth-best offense this late in the season. In 1,250 minutes together, the dynamic Paul Millsap-Nikola Jokic frontcourt has outscored opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (45-25)
The 76ers may have four All-Star-caliber players, but only one propels them into championship contention. Since Joel Embiid returned from an eight-game absence, Philadelphia has reeled off four straight wins, including knocking off the top-ranked Bucks on Sunday.
7. San Antonio Spurs (41-29)
The Spurs have erased memories of their 1-7 slide in mid-February, roaring back up the Western Conference standings with an eight-game winning streak. Second-year guard Derrick White has been particularly impressive, averaging 13 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per contest over that stretch.
8. Portland Trail Blazers (42-27)
The Blazers went 8-4 in the past four weeks, including four wins against teams currently occupying playoff spots. They've outscored their opponents by 5.9 points per 100 possessions over that span.
9. Boston Celtics (43-27)
Their win over the Warriors seems to have been the turning point for the mopey Celtics, who've won five of their last six games. Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.3 assists over his last four games.
10. Utah Jazz (40-29)
The Jazz are on an 8-3 run, including a four-day span that included wins over the Clippers, Nuggets, and Bucks. Donovan Mitchell's been a standout, averaging 27.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a steal per game dating back to Feb. 23.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-28)
A 22-point home loss to the Warriors on Saturday reminded the Thunder that there's still a lot of work to do before they can be considered a true contender in the West. Oklahoma City shot 32 percent - its worst shooting performance of the season - while Golden State cracked the century mark without Kevin Durant.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (41-30)
The Clippers sit comfortably ahead the rest of the pack for the West's final playoff spot and are within striking distance of those above them. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell continue to shine on the second unit, with the former recently passing Dell Curry as the NBA's all-time leader in points off the bench.
13. Indiana Pacers (44-26)
The air appears to be finally leaking out of the Pacers' balloon. The team is 4-6 over its past 10, including blowout defeats by potential playoff opponents the Bucks and 76ers. With only a one-game lead over the fifth-seeded Celtics, they're dangerously close to losing home-court advantage in the first round.
14. Detroit Pistons (36-33)
The Pistons suffered back-to-back losses to the Nets and Heat by a combined 62 points. The good news is they bounced back with two wins, including completing the season sweep of Toronto.
15. Miami Heat (33-36)
The Heat have found their rotation, which includes a strong bench trio of Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and Dwyane Wade. Unfortunately, it didn't help when they blew a 23-point lead to the Bucks, eventually losing by 15.
16. Brooklyn Nets (36-36)
Spencer Dinwiddie has picked up where he left off prior to his injury. The fifth-year backup guard is averaging 19 points in nine games since returning to the lineup.
17. Sacramento Kings (34-35)
The Kings' push for their first playoff spot since 2006 was fun while it lasted, as they've won just four times in their last 13 games. The growth of the young core is enough to consider this a successful season.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (32-38)
While the T-Wolves appear poised to miss the playoffs for the 14th time in 15 seasons, Karl-Anthony Towns continues to perform at an elite level. The All-Star center is averaging 32.8 points, 13.1 boards, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks over his past 10 games.
19. Orlando Magic (33-38)
The Magic are sitting just outside the playoff picture, but it's difficult to imagine them snagging the final spot. Losses to the Wizards, Grizzlies, Cavaliers, and Knicks over the past couple weeks have derailed their chances. It could spell an unfortunate end to Nikola Vucevic's criminally underrated season.
20. Washington Wizards (30-40)
Jabari Parker, who only just turned 24 this week, has impressed of late, including five games with at least 20 points since joining the Wizards at the trade deadline. It will be very interesting to see what Washington does with his $20-million option for next season.
21. Charlotte Hornets (31-38)
The Hornets would barely be in the playoff picture if not for the inferior quality of play in the Eastern Conference. Sitting two games behind the Heat for the eighth seed, their 93-75 loss to Miami on Sunday reaffirmed that they have little business being in the postseason this year.
22. Los Angeles Lakers (31-39)
The Lakers own the league's third-worst net rating over the past four weeks, getting outscored by 5.9 points per 100 possessions and dropping nine of their past 12 games. With Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram out for the year and LeBron James on a minutes restriction, their season is all but officially over.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (28-42)
In Jonas Valanciunas, the Grizzlies appear to have found a legitimate core piece. The former Raptors center has averaged 17.9 points, eight rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game since coming over in the Marc Gasol trade.
24. Atlanta Hawks (24-47)
The best-case scenario for Zion Williamson is the Hawks winning the first overall selection to pair the 285-pound terror with Trae Young and John Collins.
25. New Orleans Pelicans (30-42)
Fans in the Big Easy are probably just begging for the season to end. Anthony Davis continues to play on a minutes restriction while All-Star guard Jrue Holiday remains sidelined with an abdominal strain. The Pelicans have dropped six in a row - the latest due to a mental mistake that would have made Chris Webber blush.
26. Dallas Mavericks (28-41)
Dallas' promising start quickly turned into a disaster, yet somehow, the Mavericks will come out more optimistic than ever. Starting next season, it's all about the pairing of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
27. Chicago Bulls (19-52)
The Bulls surrendered an average of 127.8 points over their last four games, but at least Zach LaVine and Jim Boylen seem to be on good terms.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-53)
Marquese Chriss' altercation with Serge Ibaka may be the most fight the Cavs have shown all season. The club seems firmly entrenched in the NBA's bottom three, which would guarantee top odds for the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft.
29. Phoenix Suns (17-54)
The Suns might have found a hidden gem when they acquired Kelly Oubre from the Wizards. The fourth-year forward is flourishing in Phoenix, averaging 20.8 points, 5.6 boards, and 1.9 steals over his past 13 games.
30. New York Knicks (14-56)
The Suns' recent flash of competency allowed the lowly Knicks to slink into last place. At this point, New York's lottery odds are pretty much locked in: The franchise will have a 14 percent chance of getting the No. 1 pick and a 52.6 percent chance of staying in the top four.