Week 21 Power Rankings: Warriors Break into Top 5, Wolves Climb in Top 10
The largest increase in scoring after a break can be seen in points scored per 100 possess...
The largest increase in scoring after a break can be seen in points scored per 100 possessions.
TEAM
Pre-break
Rank
Post-break
Rank
Diff.
Golden State
112.1
17
121.5
4
+9.4
Oklahoma City
117.3
6
123.9
1
+6.6
Sacramento
115.3
8
121.2
5
+5.9
Minnesota
113.6
14
119.4
7
+5.8
Indiana
114.4
10
120.1
6
+5.7
Biggest post-break drop, points allowed per 100 possessions
TEAM
Pre-break
Rank
Post-break
Rank
Diff.
Washington
118.7
30
110.2
7
-8.5
L.A. Lakers
113.9
17
106.1
1
-7.8
Portland
115.6
24
108.8
5
-6.8
Toronto
115.8
26
111.6
10
-4.2
Sacramento
114.3
20
110.6
8
-3.7
Some of those improved teams will go head-to-head in the next few days. So will the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, who will meet in a potential Finals preview in Boston on Wednesday (7:30 ET, ESPN).
There are just five weeks left in the regular season, but there are still plenty of big games to be played and more room for improvement from teams up and down the standings.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
Right Way: Ivica Zubac (LAC) was a plus-62 in four games last week.Wrong Way: Klay Thompson (DAL) was a minus-80 in four games last week.Teams of the Week
Make It Last Forever: Golden State (4-0) — The Warriors’ trade-deadline gamble is paying off.Something Just Ain’t Right: Utah (0-4) — The Jazz played three other teams bound for the Lottery, and they lost all three games.* * *
East vs. West
The West is 189-145 (.566) against the East in interconference games after going 12-10 last week.Schedule strength through Week 20
Toughest: 1. Toronto, 2. New Orleans, 3. MinnesotaEasiest: 1. Cleveland, 2. Milwaukee, 3. SacramentoSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.* * *
Movement in the Rankings
High jumps of the week: Golden State (+6), Atlanta (+5), Phoenix (+4)Free falls of the week: Dallas (-7)* * *
Week 21 Team to Watch
Denver — The Nuggets have not played well against the best teams in the league, and they’ll face two of them this week. They’ll play a second straight game in Oklahoma City on Monday (8 p.m. ET, NBA TV) and host the Lakers on Friday (9:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV). In between is another big game against the Wolves (Wednesday on ESPN).* * *
Previously…
Last week: Cavs back at No. 1; West and East tiers start to get clearerThe archive: NBA.com Power RankingsOffRtg: 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 113.4 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.7 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, contact him via Bluesky.
