NBA Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets Claim Top Two Spots

• The Milwaukee Bucks grabbed the top spot in the power rankings after embarking on a winning streak
• The Denver Nuggets nabbed the second spot thanks to their dominance in the Western Conference
• The Boston Celtics are ranked third because of their recent struggles against New York-based teams

The finish line is near.

We are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs, and the race for the guaranteed spots in the postseason is heating up.

See where all 30 NBA teams rank as we head into the final weeks of the 2022-23 regular season.

1. Milwaukee Bucks (46-18)

The Bucks are flying right now. They have won 17 of their last 18 games, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

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They squandered an 18-point lead in the third quarter of that contest to snap their 16-game winning streak. The Bucks still are in a good place right now, with that unbeaten run helping them grab the best record in the league.

2. Denver Nuggets (45-19)

The Nuggets continued their dominance in the Western Conference, holding a healthy 6.5-game lead atop the standings after Sunday’s outings.

Nikola Jokic has been unstoppable for Denver, recording his 25th triple-double of the season in the 113-97 win against Memphis, per ESPN. He’s averaging a triple-double with 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 10.0 assists.

3. Boston Celtics (45-20)

The Celtics have lost some ground to the Bucks in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, suffering defeats in three of their last four games.

Their last two losses have been painful, to say the least, with Boston squandering a 28-point lead against Brooklyn and the Knicks getting the better of them in a double-overtime thriller.

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4. Philadelphia 76ers (41-22)

The Sixers recorded their biggest win of the season thus far on Saturday, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 133-130. Philadelphia battled back from a large deficit late in the third quarter to deliver a statement win against one of their Eastern Conference rivals.

James Harden starred in that victory, recording a near triple-double with 38 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds. However, the win came at a huge price, as Tobias Harris suffered a calf injury.

5. New York Knicks (39-27)

There is just no stopping the Knicks right now. New York extended its winning streak to nine games on Sunday with a thrilling 131-129 double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics.

Immanuel Quickley played the game of his life, scoring a career-high 38 points in 55 minutes of action. He stepped up big time in the absence of Jalen Brunson, who was sidelined because of soreness in his left foot.

Jimmy Butler stuns Philadelphia 76ers with acrobatic layup to end Miami Heat’s losing streak

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6. Cleveland Cavaliers (40-26)

The Cavs badly needed Saturday’s win against the Pistons, as they have been in a slump lately. They had lost four of their last five games before the victory against Detroit.

The Cavs have been solid at home this season, winning 27 of their 34 games at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (38-25)

What in the world is happening to Memphis? The Grizzlies are in disarray now, with their star player grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons and their play looking out of sorts.

There is no definitive timeline for Ja Morant to return to the Grizzlies after he displayed what appeared to be a gun in an Instagram Live video while at a nightclub. The NBA is still investigating the matter, and Morant’s absence could send his team tumbling down the standings.

8. Sacramento Kings (37-26)

If someone said before the start of the season that the Kings would be leading the Pacific Division at this stage of the campaign, that person would be called crazy. Here we are in the first week of March, and that statement is surprisingly very true.

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The Kings, who last made the playoffs in 2006, are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 37-26 record. As it stands, they have a home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Simply outstanding.

9. Phoenix Suns (36-29)

Here come the Suns. Phoenix looks like a different team with new acquisition, Kevin Durant now part of the starting lineup.

The Suns are 3-0 with Durant in the lineup, with their latest win coming against the Dallas Mavericks. They will be a dangerous team to face come playoff time.

10. Golden State Warriors (34-31)

The Warriors are another team that will be a tough out in the playoffs. They are slowly hitting their stride, winning five of their last six games. They also have their superstar back, with Steph Curry returning to the starting lineup in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Rankings of other NBA teams

11. Minnesota Timberwolves

12. Brooklyn Nets

13. Dallas Mavericks

14. LA Clippers

15. Miami Heat

16. Atlanta Hawks

17. Toronto Raptors

18. New Orleans Pelicans

19. Utah Jazz

20. Los Angeles Lakers

21. Oklahoma City Thunder

22. Portland Trail Blazers

23. Washington Wizards

24. Indiana Pacers

25. Chicago Bulls

26. Orlando Magic

27. Charlotte Hornets

28. San Antonio Spurs

29. Houston Rockets

30. Detroit Pistons