Power Rankings, Week 22: Nuggets hold No. 1 spot, Wolves enter Top 5

The Wolves are rounding into playoff form even as Karl-Anthony Towns mends.

Only four weeks and 219 games (an average of 14.6 per team) remain.

And while some teams have seemingly checked out, there are still 21 fighting for playoff or Play-In Tournament position. The Houston Rockets are making things a little more interesting in the Western Conference, where we currently have four star-laden teams in position to play single-elimination basketball in just 29 days.

The Boston Celtics, the only team to have clinched a top-six spot in either conference, don’t have to worry about that nonsense. But they’re still No. 2 in the Power Rankings, with their loss to the top-ranked Denver Nuggets just 11 days old.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

  • Right Way: Jayson Tatum (BOS) was a plus-76 in four games last week.
  • Wrong Way: Dalano Banton (POR) was a minus-69 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

  • Make It Last Forever: New York (3-0) — 91.4 points allowed per 100 possessions over the last five games? laughing-thibodeau.gif.
  • Something Just Ain’t Right: Brooklyn (0-3) — And without a first-round pick to soften the blow.

* * *

East vs. West

  • The West is 210-163 (.563) against the East in interconference games after going 13-10 last week.

Schedule strength through Week 21

  • Toughest: 1. San Antonio, 2. Portland, 3. L.A. Lakers
  • Easiest: 1. Miami, 2. Orlando, 3. Milwaukee
  • Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.

* * *

Movement in the Rankings

  • High jumps of the week: New York (+5), Four teams (+2)
  • Free falls of the week: L.A. Lakers (-4), Philadelphia (-3), Cleveland (-2), LA Clippers (-2)

* * *

Week 22 Team to Watch

  • Miami — After a four-game losing streak, the Heat got some schedule relief with two games in Detroit over the weekend. But they’ll play their next five games against teams with winning records, facing the Sixers (with whom they’re tied for seventh place), Cavs (x 2) and Pelicans this week.

* * *

Previously…

  • Last week: Nuggets jump past Celtics for No. 1 spot
  • The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 114.8 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.4 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via threads.

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