NBA: Power Rankings 11.0

The NBA Playoffs are less than a month away and teams are really jockeying for playoff, play-in, and lottery position. Check out our newest power rankings and award projections below! The Utah Jazz have moved back to the #1 spot, overtaking the Brooklyn Nets, while the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks have put together major win streaks and are quickly climbing the ranks. In the MVP race, Nikola Jokic continues to hold off Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, and others.

1. Utah Jazz (44-16, +1): The Jazz reclaim the top spot in our rankings after picking up wins over the Lakers (111-97) and Rockets (112-89) last week, before dropping a tight one to the Timberwolves (101-96) at home. Donovan Mitchell has been the team's best player but Rudy Gobert (13.6 rebounds, 2.8 blocks) has emerged as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year. Utah is an NBA-best 26-4 at home and will take on Minnesota, Sacramento, and Phoenix in the coming days.

2. Brooklyn Nets (41-20, -1): Brooklyn has gotten Kevin Durant back from injury and they seem to continue rolling with ease, no matter who takes the court. James Harden remains on injured reserve after, according to ESPN, having a "setback in his hamstring rehabilitation." He could return in time for the playoffs, but either way Brooklyn should lock up the #1 seed in the East and cruise to at least the conference finals. Looking ahead, Brooklyn will face Toronto, Indiana, Portland, and Milwaukee.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (43-19, +4): The Clippers are arguably the hottest team in the league right now, going 9-1 in their last 10 games and 3-0 last week. Tyronn Lue's team racked up victories against Portland (113-112), Memphis (117-105), and Houston (109-104) recently. Paul George (24.0 points, 5.4 assists) has been the x-factor, especially in the Kawhi Leonard's absence, and he played at an All-NBA level in April. LA gets the Pelicans, Suns, and Nuggets this week.

4. Phoenix Suns (43-18,-1): Phoenix sits just one game out of the #1 seed and the way they've been playing gives them a chance to realistically get it. The Suns were a bit of a surprise at the beginning of this season and many of us asked ourselves how long it would last. Surprisingly enough, Phoenix is still a contender with only a few weeks in the regular season remaining. Paul and Devin Booker want to compete for a ring and they are continuing to show it on a nightly basis.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (39-21, -1): Philadelphia is riding 4-game losing streak but it's definitely not time to panic yet. Ben Simmons is set to return on Monday night versus Oklahoma City, according to USA Today. The 76ers fell to Golden State (107-96), Phoenix (116-113), and Milwaukee (132-94) recently but will have an opportunity to rebound against the Thunder, Hawks (back to back), and Spurs. Expect Joel Embiid (30.0 points, 11.1 rebounds) to have a couple of big showings.

Other Playoff Teams:

6. Nuggets (40-21, +0)

7. Bucks (37-23, -2)

8. Lakers (35-25, +0)

9. Knicks (34-27, +6)

10. Mavericks (33-27, +0)

11. Hawks (34-28, +0)

12. Grizzlies (31-28, +5)

13. Trail Blazers (32-28, -4)

14. Celtics (32-29, +2)

15. Heat (32-30, -3)

16. Hornets (30-30, -2)

Rest of the League:

17. Spurs (31-29, -4)

18. Warriors (31-30, +1)

19. Pacers (29-31, -1)

20. Wizards (27-33, +5)

21. Pelicans (26-34, -1)

22. Raptors (25-35, +2)

23. Bulls (25-35, -2)

24. Kings (25-36, -2)

25. Cavaliers (21-39, +2)

26. Thunder (20-40, -3)

27. Magic (18-42, -1)

28. Pistons (18-43, +0)

29. Timberwolves (17-44, +1)

30. Rockets (15-46, -1)

Most Valuable Player:

1. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets, +0)

2. Joel Embiid (76ers, +2)

3. Stephen Curry (Warriors, +2)

Rookie of the Year:

1. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, +0)

2. Tyrese Haliburton (Kings, +1)

3. Immanuel Quickley (Knicks, +2)

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Rudy Gobert (Jazz, +1)

2. Ben Simmons (76ers, -1)

3. Myles Turner (Pacers, +0)

Most Improved Player:

1. Julius Randle (Knicks, +0)

2. Jerami Grant (Pistons, +1)

3. Michael Porter Jr. (Nuggets, +1)

Sixth Man of the Year:

1. Jordan Clarkson (Jazz, +0)

2. Chris Boucher (Raptors, +2)

3. Jalen Brunson (Mavericks, +2)

Photo Credit: Empire Sports.