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We’re at the midway point of the NBA season, so let’s take a look at how teams are doing. The clear runaway squads are the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-6) and Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7), who both have a 6 1/2-game lead over the second-place teams in their respective conferences. Barring any big surprises, I expect both teams to remain atop the rankings this season. The real question is do they have enough experience to make noise in the playoffs?
Now, for the teams who are most impressively clawing their way up the ladder. Both the LA Clippers (24-17) and Milwaukee Bucks (24-17) are on a bit of a heater, each having won four games in a row. The Clippers recently returned two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard to their roster after he missed the first 34 games of the season because of his right knee recovery. If he continues to find his rhythm and can remain healthy, the Clippers could make some real noise. As for the Bucks, they’ve won eight of their last 11 games and are continuing to do a great job of turning their season around despite their sputtering 2-8 start.
The real drama, however, is in Miami, where Jimmy Butler is back after serving a seven-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team” and has expressed his desire to be traded. With the trade deadline fast approaching, things could get very interesting.
Here are our current rankings:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Boston Celtics
4. Houston Rockets
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Memphis Grizzlies
7. New York Knicks
8. Milwaukee Bucks
9. LA Clippers
10. Los Angeles Lakers
11. Indiana Pacers
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Miami Heat
15. Golden State Warriors
16. Atlanta Hawks
17. Phoenix Suns
18. Orlando Magic
19. Dallas Mavericks
20. Detroit Pistons
21. Philadelphia 76ers
22. San Antonio Spurs
23. New Orleans Pelicans
24. Chicago Bulls
25. Portland Trail Blazers
26. Brooklyn Nets
27. Utah Jazz
28. Charlotte Hornets
29. Toronto Raptors
30. Washington Wizards
