NBA: Power Rankings 9.0

With the playoffs less than two months away, each game is becoming more and more meaningful given how close the playoff races are. In the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets (+3) and New York Knicks (+3) have moved up to the 4- and 5-seed, respectively. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat (-4) have fallen to the 8-seed after a recent losing steak. Out West, the Sacramento Kings (+3) are attempting to make a run at the play-in tournament, while the Los Angeles Lakers (-1) are hoping to hold steady without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The MVP race has also been hard to predict, but it seems Nikola Jokic has taken a slight lead recently. Other players in the mix are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and James Harden.

Top-5 Teams:

1. Jazz (34-11, +0)

2. Nets (31-15, +1)

3. Suns (31-14, +1)

4. 76ers (32-14, -2)

5. Bucks (29-16, +0)

Other Playoff Teams:

6. Clippers (31-16, +1)

7. Lakers (30-17, -1)

8. Nuggets (28-18, +0)

9. Trail Blazers (28-18, +0)

10. Mavericks (23-21, +0)

11. Spurs (23-20, +0)

12. Knicks (24-22, +3)

13. Hawks (23-23, +0)

14. Celtics (23-23, +0)

15. Hornets (23-22, +3)

16. Heat (22-24, -4)

Rest of the League:

17. Warriors (22-24, +0)

18. Grizzlies (21-22, +1)

19. Pacers (21-23, -3)

20. Kings (21-25, +3)

21. Bulls (19-25, -1)

22. Pelicans (20-25, -1)

23. Thunder (19-26, -1)

24. Raptors (18-28, +0)

25. Wizards (16-28, +1)

26. Cavaliers (17-29, -1)

27. Magic (15-31, +0)

28. Rockets (13-32, +2)

29. Pistons (12-33, -1)

30. Timberwolves (11-35, -1)

MVP Rankings:

1. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets, +1)

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks, +2)

3. Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers, +0)

Rookie of the Year:

1. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves, +0)

2. Tyrese Haliburton (Kings, +1)

3. LaMelo Ball (Hornets, -2)

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Rudy Gobert (Jazz, +1)

2. Ben Simmons (76ers, -1)

3. Myles Turner (Pacers, +1)

Most Improved Player:

1. Julius Randle (Knicks, +0)

2. Jerami Grant (Pistons, +1)

3. Jaylen Brown (Celtics, -1)

Sixth Man of the Year:

1. Jordan Clarkson (Jazz, +0)

2. Montrezl Harrell (Lakers, +0)

3. Chris Boucher (Raptors, +1)

Photo Credit: Deseret News.