The Atlanta Hawks won a basketball game on Tuesday night. The Atlanta Hawks are still falling apart at the absolute worst time.
Both statements above are true, as the Hawks edged past the Phoenix Suns in their last outing by a four-point margin. Normally, that would not be criminal behavior, but the Suns were a) on the road, b) without Eric Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Devin Booker and others, and c) not trying particularly hard to win games in the latter stages of the 2016-2017 season.
Prior to that, the Hawks reeled off seven consecutive losses to slip into a tie for fifth place in the hapless Eastern Conference, eliminating any early-season momentum that was probably curtailed already.
To be (somewhat) fair to Mike Budenholzer and company, the Hawks have operated without Paul Millsap for the past six games. For the season, Atlanta is just 1-8 when the team’s best player is sidelined. What that doesn’t explain, though, is why the Hawks still boast a negative net rating in games that include Millsap’s presence and why Atlanta is cratering as the stretch run arrives.
Will the Hawks make the playoffs? Probably. Following that uninspiring win over Phoenix, Atlanta now owns a full three-game lead over the No. 9 seed in the Chicago Bulls with only eight games to play for both teams. Even if Millsap were to miss the remainder of the season with what is a suspicious knee injury, the Hawks would likely need only a couple of victories to cruise (er, limp) into the playoffs. If that’s the goal, Atlanta will probably accomplish it.
Still, the Hawks seemingly had visions of a top-four seed before choosing to become buyers at the 2017 trade deadline (hello, Ersan Ilyasova) and things have gone quite poorly since that point in time. Since the break, Atlanta is just 6-12 with a -4.0 net rating and, to make matters worse, that comes with an offensive rating (99.3) that ranks dead last in the NBA over that timeframe.
What is the goal in Atlanta? Do the Hawks simply want to ensure a middling product by locking up the same core (headlined by Millsap) for years to come? Do the Hawks want to explore rebuilding after giving up valuable time and potential assets to go “in” on the 2016-2017 season? Many questions remain in Atlanta, but for now, the one answer the NBA world is being given is that the Hawks don’t appear to be a real threat to move beyond the first round. Simply put, Atlanta isn’t playing at a very high level as the season nears its end.
How does the rest of the NBA fare in this week’s Power Rankings? Let’s find out.
1. Golden State Warriors (60-14, Last week — 1st)
The league’s first 60-win team reached that mark in an impressive road win over Houston on Tuesday and that firmly cemented Golden State in the top spot again. After a brief lull, the Warriors have awakened to the tune of eight consecutive victories. Given that all of that is taking place without Kevin Durant, the NBA should be getting back to pure terror with regard to Steph Curry and his squad.
2. San Antonio Spurs (57-16, Last week — 2nd)
There is no question about which team lands behind Golden State this week. San Antonio throttled Cleveland (with LeBron on the floor) on Monday evening to the tune of a 29-point win, and that marked the fifth straight victory for the Spurs. This is going to be a 60-win team yet again and it is easy to be in awe of what San Antonio has done.
3. Houston Rockets (51-23, Last week — 3rd)
The Rockets had won four straight and seven of eight before running into the Golden State buzzsaw on Tuesday. Needless to say, there is no reason to actively dock Houston for a single-digit loss to the Warriors and they maintain this lofty perch from a week ago. I’m not sure there is enough to justify picking Houston over a team like Cleveland in a seven-game series, but from a regular season perspective, the Rockets continue to impress.
4. Boston Celtics (48-26, Last week — 5th)
The Celtics officially sit atop the Eastern Conference after a timely four-game winning streak. No one actually believes that Boston is better than Cleveland (at least outside of New England) but Brad Stevens’ team took care of business over this recent string that included wins over Miami, Indiana, and Washington. Boston’s ability to close the deal on the No. 1 seed remains to be seen but they have earned the throne for now.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-26, Last week — 4th)
As noted above, the Cavs were waxed by the Spurs on Monday in a way that we just haven’t seen recently. Yes, there are reasons for Cleveland’s recent struggles, but this was a game that featured LeBron, Kyrie, and Kevin on the floor and it wasn’t particularly competitive. Cleveland’s defensive issues will likely be mitigated with an uptick in effort when April and May arrive, but for now, three losses in four games will keep them here.
6. Toronto Raptors (45-29, Last week — 6th)
Kyle Lowry (still) isn’t playing, but the Raptors are suddenly scorching hot. Toronto has an active six-game winning streak that – in conjunction with Atlanta’s free fall – put to bed any notion of a dip from the top four. Now, the Raptors have a legitimate chance to avoid the 4-5 series entirely, and that is a testament to the high-end work of DeMar DeRozan and this frisky supporting cast.
7. Washington Wizards (46-28, Last week — 8th)
Since the All-Star break, the Wizards have actually been outscored by their opponents, thanks to a ghastly 109.4 defensive rating over a 19-game sample. Still, Washington has managed to stay afloat with a 12-7 record in that time period and Washington is riding a four-game winning streak again. It is fair to say the Wizards may have peaked too early, but they remain dangerous and talented.
8. Utah Jazz (45-29, Last week — 7th)
I know the Jazz just lost to the Clippers. The difference is that Utah bounced back with a much needed home win, while the Clippers did not keep things going. At any rate, Utah is the better team in my estimation and, even with star big man Rudy Gobert calling out teammates, I’m a believer.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (44-31, Last week — 9th)
As noted above, the Clippers did knock off Utah this week. Unfortunately, that was followed up by a miserable home loss to the less than stellar Kings. That left the team searching for answers yet again. It has been a weird season for Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, and company, and even if they are dangerous when everything clicks, it is hard to project that actually happening at this (very) late hour.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-31, Last week — 10th)
The Thunder have two losses over the past nine games. Those defeats came to the Rockets (on the road) and Warriors. There isn’t much else that Russell Westbrook and his team can do. They’re already doing it.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (36-38, Last week — 19th)
Portland looks to be on a playoff-bound train at this point after four straight wins and seven victories over the past eight games. The Blazers suddenly resemble the product that optimists saw in the preseason, and even if it arrived quite late, the inclusion of Jusuf Nurkic makes Portland much more formidable.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (38-36, Last week — 12th)
Milwaukee is 13-6 since the All-Star break and they are doing it all without Jabari Parker. It’s borderline amazing that the Bucks now sit in a tie with the Hawks for fifth in the Eastern Conference and they are a really encouraging success story.
13. Memphis Grizzlies (40-34, Last week — 11th)
The Grizzlies completed an 0-4 road trip to end our power rankings cycle and that explains this dip in the pecking order. Three of the losses came to potent foes but the final one, in Sacramento, wasn’t the best look for Memphis. We just kind of know what this team is at this point.
14. Miami Heat (36-38, Last week — 13th)
It never stops being incredible that the Heat were 11-30 at one point this season. Miami’s net rating was never supportive of that level of misery but the correction has been staggering. It must be stated that the Heat have cooled off (pun intended?) in recent days but this is still a team that is scarier than most of the competition at the bottom of the East playoff picture.
15. Indiana Pacers (37-37, Last week — 14th)
Paul George and company picked a bad time to lose a home game to Minnesota. Indiana still looks to be on their way to the playoffs because of the impotence behind them in the Eastern Conference standings but this is a .500 team that is playing exactly like a .500 team.
16. Denver Nuggets (35-39, Last week — 16th)
The Nuggets don’t have the league’s worst defense anymore, but they are No. 29 for a reason. Not even a top-five offense can fully save you when a team is allowing 110.8 points per 100 possessions. That makes Denver more entertaining than actually effective.
17. Atlanta Hawks (38-36, Last week — 15th)
Atlanta is about to reach the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season. Only the Spurs can boast a longer streak. That’s positive, right?
18. Chicago Bulls (35-39, Last week — 22nd)
Chicago is very much alive with only a one-game gap between them and the No. 8 seed in the East. Throw in an easy schedule and an important road win over Milwaukee this week and no one can be rid of the Bulls just yet.
19. New Orleans Pelicans (31-43, Last week — 17th)
The Pelicans went into Denver and throttled the Nuggets by 25 points this week. That type of performance could be a window into the ceiling of this team in the future, or it could be a mirage. It is (still) too early to tell.
20. Charlotte Hornets (33-41, Last week — 18th)
It is truly hard to believe, for a number of reasons, that the Hornets will probably miss the playoffs this season. First, the East is generally bad after the “big four” at the top. Second, Charlotte was supposed to be much better than this after bringing the band back for another run. Third, the Hornets have a better net rating (+0.8) than the Hawks, Heat, Grizzlies, Thunder, Blazers, Pacers, and Nuggets. Your guess is as good as mine.
21. Dallas Mavericks (31-42, Last week — 21st)
If you glance at their schedule, Dallas might appear to be struggling after three losses in four games. A closer look, though, reminds us that those four games came against the Warriors, Thunder, Raptors, and Thunder. What is it that you want Dallas to do?
22. Brooklyn Nets (16-58, Last week — 29th)
The Nets have won three of five and they are 7-11 since the All-Star break. This is probably too high for Brooklyn, but because this team has no incentive to tank, they are really trying and it shows. With Jeremy Lin in the lineup, the Nets are 9-20 on the year and that is much closer to their actual playing level than their 16-58 record.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (29-44, Last week — 23rd)
I was all set to pound the Wolves this week, as they finished up a six-game losing streak with losses to the Lakers and Pacers. On cue, Minnesota went into Indiana and knocked off the Pacers in the midst of a playoff push and reminded me (and everyone) of what this team can be. They are tantalizing and overly frustrating but they certainly aren’t bad.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (28-46, Last week — 25th)
Dario Saric is probably the Rookie of the Year and the Sixers have been respectable in the recent past. Many believed that Philly would be the worst team in the league when Joel Embiid was ruled out, and with a 7-11 mark since the All-Star break, they simply aren’t.
25. Sacramento Kings (29-45, Last week — 26th)
In 17 games with the Kings, Buddy Hield is averaging 14.7 points per game on 49/43/85 shooting. Sacramento needs optimism and that little flourish, in conjunction with the emergence of fellow 2016 first-rounder Skal Labissiere, provides some.
26. Orlando Magic (27-47, Last week — 24th)
The Magic have quietly won three of five, including a dominant win over the flailing Pistons. Let’s just say that I’m not inspired by that particular run of mild success.
27. New York Knicks (28-46, Last week — 26th)
New York dropped five straight before being handed a victory over Detroit (see below) and this is a bad basketball team. It was almost endearing earlier in the year, but at this point, Knicks fans have to be ready to move on and Zach Lowe of ESPN’s ongoing treatment of this team is the only uplifting subplot.
28. Detroit Pistons (34-41, Last week — 20th)
This is an obvious overreaction but I don’t even care. The Pistons have no interest in reaching the playoffs, even in a season in which they were projected to be a mid-tier seed. Detroit is at least relatively healthy but still managed to lose five straight games during the stretch run. On the surface, that might not be enough to justify this placement, but three of the defeats came to Brooklyn, Orlando, and New York. Come on.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (21-53, Last week — 30th)
The Lakers are 11-43 since a 10-10 start and 2-14 over the last 16 games. How is that not “good” enough for the No. 30 spot? Well, they are really trying. Unfortunately, Los Angeles picked up a win over Minnesota this week and one competitor sparkled in their incompetence. Don’t worry, Lakers fans. The tank is still on.
30. Phoenix Suns (22-53, Last week — 28th)
The roster that Phoenix put forth on Tuesday in Atlanta was a tanking masterpiece. Non-coincidentally, the Suns have now lost nine consecutive games to successfully chase down the Lakers for the No. 30 position this week. It will be an intriguing fight to the finish but Phoenix is racing to the bottom in impressive fashion.
