NBA Perfect Ten (Week of April 3rd)
Most teams are down to their final five games and the jockeying is in full swing for playoff positioning. Let’s take a look at the latest Top Ten.
Perfect Ten (Week of April 3rd)
#10. Los Angeles Clippers (+850/+2000) - Are we putting the wrong team from LA in the 10th spot? Strengths: When fully healthy, this roster matches up with anyone. Weaknesses: Are we asking too much to think the Clippers can get through the playoffs with a full squad? Last Week’s Rank: 10
#9. Golden State Warriors (+550/+1300) -Are the Warriors better off finishing in the sixth spot and taking on the Kings rather than earning the fifth spot and facing Phoenix in round one? Strengths: Scoring and ability to finish games. Weaknesses: Will the Warriors be at full strength come playoff time? Last Week’s Rank: 8
#8. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1500/+4500) - The Cavs are primed and ready for their first post-LeBron playoff appearance. Strengths: Isolation offense with Mitchell and Garland. Weaknesses: Can the other Cavs players deliver when teams double Mitchell? Last Week’s Rank: 9
#7. Sacramento Kings (+2000/+6000) - The Kings are back in the playoffs finally but will they be favored in any round? Strengths: The Kings can score with anyone and have the second-best road record in the NBA. Weaknesses: Can the Kings’ defense hold up enough to win against the top teams in the west? Last Week’s Rank: 5
#6. Memphis Grizzlies (+600/+1500) - The Grizzlies have gotten stronger down the stretch and are secure in the #2 spot in the Western Conference. Strengths: Toughness and an unending swagger. Weaknesses: Will the Grizzlies get Stephen Adams back healthy enough to help bolster the interior? Last Week’s Rank: 9
#5. Philadelphia 76ers (+475/+1000) - The Sixers look resigned to finish third in the conference after falling to Milwaukee on Sunday. Strengths: Embiid and Harden have been rested at times down the stretch. They should be fresh for the playoffs. Weaknesses: Can the Sixers match up with either Boston or Milwaukee in a seven-game series? Last Week’s Rank: 4
#4. Phoenix Suns (+210/+450) - Durant has returned and the Suns' odds have improved as well. Strengths: The Suns are still undefeated with Durant in the lineup. Weaknesses: Durant will have only played 10 games with the Suns as the playoffs begin. Is that enough time? Last Week’s Rank: 6
#3. Denver Nuggets (+330/+800) - The Nuggets roll into the final week of the season nearly assured of the #1 seed in the west. Strengths: Floor spacing and the best passing big man in the game. Weaknesses: The Nuggets will have to ramp up the intensity again come playoff time after coasting down the stretch. Last Week’s Rank: 3
#2. Boston Celtics (+150/+320) - The Celtics crushed the Bucks on the road and once again look like the team that had the NBA’s best record for much of the season. Strengths: Boston is the one team that looks capable of matching up with the likes of Antetokounmpo. Weaknesses: Can the Celtics count on Robert Williams III throughout the playoffs? Last Week’s Rank: 2
#1. Milwaukee Bucks (+145/+310) - Milwaukee bounced back from a 40-point home loss to Boston with a comfortable win over the Sixers on Sunday. Strengths: The Bucks have experience and have been the best road team in the NBA. Weaknesses: Can the Bucks handle teams with superior perimeter play, like Boston? Last Week’s Rank: 1
Top-Five MVP Candidates:
There isn’t any need to make this a five-player race anymore, it is clearly a two-man field. Jokic has been the front-runner for several weeks but has Embiid done enough to surpass him?
Joel Embiid (-250) - Another week and Embiid’s odds rose up a bit more. He has been dominant but will he get enough support if the Sixers don’t close strong? A decisive loss to Boston on Tuesday could hurt his case but a win might clinch the MVP. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Nikola Jokic (+140) - Jokic’s odds dropped a little lower this week. The Nuggets will get the #1 seed in the Western Conference. His MVP candidacy will likely be determined by how Embiid and the Sixers finish, more than anything he does himself. Last Week’s Rank: 2
In parenthesis, conference odds and finals odds. Player MVP props are also in parenthesis. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle