NBA playoffs 2023 – Everything you need to know about the 20 teams in the mix

After an offseason filled with modifications, together with a brand new president of basketball operations (Daryl Morey), coach (Doc Rivers) and two new starters (Danny Inexperienced and Seth Curry), the Sixers sat atop the Jap Convention for many of the season, and completed with the highest seed. An enormous motive for that was the play of Joel Embiid, who, when he was out there, may need been the NBA’s most dominant participant in simply the perfect marketing campaign of his profession.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Can this crew rating sufficient? Setting apart the plain potential for harm, nobody questions Philadelphia’s skill to play suffocating protection when it’s complete. However the 76ers’ second-ranked protection is superior to the crew’s Thirteenth-ranked offense, which may are likely to get slowed down, particularly when its streaky 3-point shooters begin lacking. Then there’s the problem of scoring late in video games — that has been an issue in Philly for years — and it stays to be seen if this season’s crew will remedy it.

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champion. The Sixers are one of many handful of groups that ought to enter the postseason feeling like they’ve a professional likelihood to win. And with Brooklyn and Milwaukee being pressured to duke it out within the Jap Convention semifinals, will probably be unacceptable for Philadelphia to fail to no less than attain the Jap Convention finals, a feat the 76ers haven’t completed in 20 years.

Fan attendance
The 76ers are permitted to permit 15% capability at Wells Fargo Area.

— Tim Bontemps

One stat to look at
The 76ers rank second in defensive effectivity (107.0) behind the Lakers (106.8) this season, and the protection at every place has been stellar. In keeping with ESPN’s defensive actual plus-minus, the 76ers are the one crew with a participant within the high 10 at each place: Danny Inexperienced (fourth amongst SFs), Tobias Harris (fourth amongst PFs), Joel Embiid (sixth amongst Cs), Ben Simmons (sixth amongst PGs) and Seth Curry (sixth amongst SGs). — Jose De Leon

---

2. Brooklyn Nets
2020-21 file: 48-24
Vegas title odds: +220

The Nets are a crew brimming with expertise, however they’ve merely been unable to remain wholesome this season. Since finishing a blockbuster commerce in January that landed James Harden — and likewise noticed the departures of longtime Nets gamers Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert — the Nets’ Massive Three have performed in simply eight video games collectively: Kyrie Irving has missed a handful of video games for private causes and varied small accidents, Kevin Durant missed over a month with a hamstring pressure and had two coronavirus contact-tracing-related absences and Harden missed over a month with a hamstring pressure earlier than returning to the lineup with two video games remaining within the common season.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
The Nets’ largest concern is getting by means of the postseason harm free. The fewest video games a championship crew’s high three scorers have performed collectively in a daily season is 10, when the 2001 Lakers performed simply 10 video games with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Derek Fisher. Sure, the Nets have had a restricted variety of video games to construct chemistry and sure, they’d be difficult that benchmark set by the Lakers. Nonetheless, so long as the Nets can keep wholesome, there’s no higher trio contending for a championship proper now.

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champions. The Nets are one of the vital offensively potent groups in NBA historical past and regardless of taking part in only a handful of normal season video games at full power, they nonetheless have the very best offensive ranking within the league and rating the second-most factors per sport, making them a formidable opponent in opposition to anybody.

Fan attendance
The Nets are permitted to permit 10% capability at Barclays Middle.

— Malika Andrews

One stat to look at
Little question the Nets need to have Harden out there with the sport on the road. In video games he has performed clutch-time minutes with the Nets, the crew is 18-2 with an efficient discipline aim share of 59% and an offensive effectivity of 128.9. These numbers are down considerably with out him: Brooklyn is Sep 11 with an efficient discipline aim share of 48% and an offensive effectivity of 112.9 when The Beard sits. — Jose De Leon

---

3. Milwaukee Bucks
2020-21 file: 46-26
BPI odds vs. MIA: 56%
Vegas title odds: +750

After two dominant common seasons didn’t translate into postseason success, Milwaukee modified its method. It was made clear to teach Mike Budenholzer that he wanted to be extra versatile along with his schemes at each ends to raised put together for the playoffs, and he has been. The Bucks pushed all their chips in to commerce for the Pelicans’ Jrue Vacation, and he has been each little bit of the improve over Eric Bledsoe at level guard they hoped. In addition they later added P.J. Tucker on the commerce deadline to present them much more versatility. And whereas the Bucks are worse from a file standpoint coming into the playoffs, they imagine they’re extra ready than ever behind reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Will the entire modifications work? The previous two playoffs haven’t been sort to Budenholzer, particularly, who struggled to maintain up with changes by Toronto’s Nick Nurse and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra throughout final season’s playoffs. Budenholzer has made a concerted effort to experiment extra within the common season this season, and it has paid off. However till these changes are put into the strain cooker that’s dealing with groups just like the Nets and 76ers within the playoffs, it’s arduous to know in the event that they’ll stick. Past that, can Antetokounmpo be the perfect participant on the ground in each sequence? He wasn’t in opposition to Toronto final season, after which wasn’t earlier than getting harm in opposition to Miami. He’ll have to be for the Bucks to succeed in their ceiling.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Giannis vs. Miami’s protection
Through the second spherical final season, when Miami made fast work of Milwaukee within the bubble, the Warmth had been in a position to frustrate Antetokounmpo, sending him into one wall of defenders after one other earlier than the MVP in the end sprained his ankle and missed the top of the sequence. There is not going to be a greater check of the modifications that the Bucks have made this season in preparation for the playoffs than going again up in opposition to that very same Warmth protection.

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champion. Having to beat each Brooklyn and Philadelphia will make for a difficult street to the Finals, however these Bucks are greater than able to pulling it off than ever earlier than.

Fan attendance
The Bucks are permitted to permit 50% capability at Fiserv Discussion board.

— Tim Bontemps

One stat to look at
The Bucks are the primary crew to common no less than 120 factors per sport for a season for the reason that 1984-85 Nuggets. Getting into this season, 22 groups averaged 120 factors per sport in a season; 4 of these went on to win the title (1972 Lakers, 1967 76ers, 1960 and 1962 Celtics). — Jose De Leon

---

4. New York Knicks
2020-21 file: 41-31
BPI odds vs. ATL: 40%
Vegas title odds: +8000

After years of a swirling cycle of teaching modifications, public drama and bottom-dwelling outcomes, the Knicks have cracked the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that Carmelo Anthony period. They employed Leon Rose because the crew’s new president and made Tom Thibodeau their new head coach. The Knicks have stormed into the postseason behind the play of Julius Randle, who has ascended right into a bona fide star this season, incomes him his first All-Star look. The 26-year-old leads New York in scoring, assists and utilization. And he’s flanked by key rotational gamers, together with R.J. Barrett, Derrick Rose and sharpshooter Reggie Bullock.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Their lack of postseason expertise. The Knicks’ starters have performed a mixed 16 whole playoff video games: Nerlens Noel has competed in 12 postseason contests, and Reggie Bullock has appeared in 4. Randle, who has led them by means of the common season, will probably be taking part in in his first postseason. The Knicks have been distinctive in shut video games to finish the common season — going 9-2 in clutch-time video games since April 9, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. That’s good for the second-best such file within the NBA in that point. Nonetheless, the deeper that groups go within the playoffs, celebrity expertise and expertise are likely to win out.

Matchups to look at in Spherical 1: Randle vs. the bigs, and Thibs’ plan for Trae
There are two matchups to keep watch over: Randle vs. Clint Capela and John Collins; and Thibodeau vs. Trae Younger. Randle has been a drive in opposition to the Hawks this season, scoring 40 factors, 44 factors and 28 factors in every of their three matchups. (The Knicks received all three.) Capela and Collins might be tasked with containing him. On the opposite facet, Thibodeau has appeared to attract up schemes to drive the Hawks to attempt to beat them with out Younger’s sharpshooting. Younger shot 36.2% in opposition to the Knicks within the common season, his second lowest in opposition to any crew that he performed no less than thrice.

Their playoff ceiling is …
A second-round exit. The Knicks are 3-0 in opposition to Atlanta this season heading into their opening-round matchup, however a second-round sequence in opposition to a seasoned 76ers crew might show to be an insurmountable hurdle.

Fan attendance
The Knicks are permitted to permit 10% capability at Madison Sq. Backyard.

— Malika Andrews

One stat to look at
The Knicks are again within the postseason by returning to their defensive methods underneath Thibodeau. New York has held opponents underneath 100 factors in 23 video games this season and lead the NBA in factors allowed per sport at 104.8. The final time the Knicks led the NBA in fewest factors allowed was the 2000-01 season, when the crew received 48 video games — and when Thibodeau was an assistant coach on that marketing campaign’s workers. — Jason Joseph

---

5. Atlanta Hawks
2020-21 file: 41-31
BPI odds vs. NY: 60%
Vegas title odds: +5000

There have been two seasons for the Hawks, who had been out of the East playoff image at 14-20 when coach Lloyd Pierce was fired however have gone 27-11 underneath interim coach Nate McMillan to climb to fifth. A wholesome Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a key a part of the turnaround. He has averaged 18.0 factors per sport for the reason that teaching change, turning Atlanta’s second-unit lineups with out place to begin guard Trae Younger from the crew’s largest legal responsibility right into a stunning power because the Hawks return to the playoffs for the primary time since 2017.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Playoff inexperience. Of Atlanta’s high 5 scorers, solely middle Clint Capela has ever appeared within the playoffs. ESPN’s Zach Lowe has advised the story of working into Hawks guard Kevin Huerter in his resort in Philadelphia through the 2019 playoffs when Pierce introduced Huerter to look at his former crew and get a way of postseason basketball. Watching from the stands is not any substitute for the actual factor, and playoff expertise does have predictive energy for crew success. Atlanta’s stars might wrestle to adapt to defenses scheming for them otherwise than through the common season.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Battle of the second models
With Bogdanovic taking part in the vast majority of the minutes that Younger doesn’t, Atlanta has been surprisingly good with out its star these days. The Hawks have outscored opponents by 3.9 factors per 100 possessions with Bogdanovic on and Younger off for the reason that All-Star break. They’ll be challenged to stick with it in opposition to a New York bench that ranks second in reserve scoring on a per-minute foundation for the reason that break, powered by Derrick Rose’s 14.8 PPG coming off the bench.

Their playoff ceiling is …
A second-round exit. There’s no motive to suppose the Hawks can’t win a first-round matchup in opposition to the equally inexperienced Knicks, however knocking off one of many East’s high three is a harder activity.

Fan attendance
The Hawks are permitted to permit 45% capability at State Farm Area.

— Kevin Pelton

One stat to look at
Younger is the primary participant in NBA historical past to common 25 factors and 9 assists per sport in a number of seasons earlier than his age-23 season. Oscar Robertson (1960-61) is the one different participant to have one such season earlier than an age-23 marketing campaign. John Collins and Clint Capela have benefitted probably the most from Younger’s assists this season. Younger has assisted on 263 Collins and Capela discipline objectives this season; the one participant with the next help whole to a pair of teammates is Golden State’s Draymond Inexperienced (282 to Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins mixed). — Jose De Leon

---

6. Miami Warmth
2020-21 file: 40-32
BPI odds vs. MIL: 44%
Vegas title odds: +4000

The bubble hangover was actual. After a brief layoff following their run to the Finals, the Warmth struggled with a mix of accidents, inconsistencies and COVID-19 protocols all through varied factors within the season. Miami nonetheless discovered their means by the top of the season and began to spherical into type simply earlier than the playoffs. As was the case within the bubble final yr, it was Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo who set the tone. Miami is banking on the duo as soon as once more.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Miami discovered magic throughout its bubble run final fall because of the push it obtained from veteran guard Goran Dragic and younger sharpshooters Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson. This season, Herro missed a number of weeks with a foot harm earlier than getting wholesome for the playoffs and has struggled at occasions to seek out his shot — as evidenced by a chilly April wherein he shot simply 35.5% from the sphere over 14 video games.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: A brand new PG to cope with
Bucks guard Jrue Vacation presents Miami a significant problem the Warmth didn’t see throughout final season’s playoffs. It is going to be fascinating to see how a lot Vacation squares off in opposition to Warmth All-Star Jimmy Butler and the way a lot offense Vacation can present alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Vacation, who averaged 19 factors, 7.3 assists and 4 rebounds in three regular-season video games in opposition to the Warmth, was dropped at Milwaukee to be a difference-maker within the postseason. Now’s his likelihood.

Their playoff ceiling is …
A second-round exit. The Warmth rolled by means of the Jap Convention bubble playoffs final season, however the Nets — Miami’s possible second-round foe — have elevated themselves into a special tier this season. To not point out the Bucks would love nothing greater than to knock out the Warmth crew that upended Milwaukee’s title run final season.

Fan attendance
The Warmth are permitted to permit 15% capability at AmericanAirlines Area.

— Nick Friedell

One stat to look at
The Warmth are a significantly better crew with Jimmy Butler within the lineup. With him, they went 33-19 and held opponents to 106.1 factors per sport, which might rank second within the NBA this season. With out him, they’re 6-12 and quit 112.8 factors per sport — that might rank twentieth within the league. — Jose De Leon

East play-in event

7. Boston Celtics
2020-21 file: 36-36
BPI odds vs. WAS: 62%
Vegas title odds: +9000

After making it to the Jap Convention finals in three of the previous 4 years, this season’s Celtics crew fell far beneath that customary. The 2 positives: the play of All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. However Brown is now out for the season after present process season-ending wrist surgical procedure final week. However even earlier than Brown was out, the Celtics have completed little to present anybody confidence they will return to that elite degree. The lack of Gordon Hayward, who went to Charlotte in free company, has been felt all season lengthy, whereas the again half of the roster — largely comprising younger gamers drafted previously couple of years — failed to provide usually. In consequence, the Celtics floated across the center of the East playoff image all season and are deservingly taking part within the play-in event.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
At this level, it must be if the Celtics may even make it out of the play-in. They actually have completed nothing to encourage confidence of late, even in mild of the entire disappointments they’ve handled this season. Boston now must regulate to life with out Brown, one in every of their two high gamers alongside Tatum. This crew ought to make it out of the play-in, given Boston would host each video games, however nobody in Beantown is closely assured they are going to.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Jayson Tatum vs. Bradley Beal
The longtime mates from St. Louis now discover themselves going up in opposition to each other with a playoff spot on the road. That will probably be a enjoyable sport throughout the sport Tuesday night time — as will the possible battle of Russell Wesstbrook vs. Marcus Sensible. The final time these two groups performed was a one-point thriller in Boston on Feb. 28 that noticed Beal miss a troublesome jumper on the buzzer.

Their playoff ceiling is …
First-round fodder. Any hopes the Celtics had been going to make any try at a aggressive sequence within the first spherical ended with Brown’s season-ending harm. Now, it’s only a matter of avoiding the embarrassment of shedding within the play-in, or getting swept in the event that they advance to the primary spherical.

Fan attendance
The Celtics are permitted to permit 12% capability at TD Backyard.

— Tim Bontemps

One stat to look at
Boston has seen its fair proportion of accidents this season and will probably be with out Jaylen Brown for the postseason run. The brunt of the scoring now falls on Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker. The duo have posted an offensive ranking of (116.8), which is tied for the perfect two-man lineup mixture on the crew amongst gamers who’ve logged no less than 500 minutes on the court docket collectively. — Jason Joseph

---

8. Washington Wizards
2020-21 file: 34-38
BPI odds vs. BOS: 38%
Vegas title odds: +30000

After the daring transfer so as to add Russell Westbrook within the offseason, the Wizards’ season didn’t begin as anticipated. Westbrook handled nagging accidents. Their 3-point shooters weren’t making something. They needed to take nearly two weeks off due to COVID-19 points throughout the roster. It reached a fairly dramatic “yikes” second halfway by means of the season, however behind Westbrook’s sudden run at triple-double historical past and Bradley Beal’s run on the scoring title, the Wizards discovered their id simply in time.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
There’s a normal feeling that no one needs to see the Westbrook-Beal tandem in a one-game winner takes all. However on the similar time, when a lot of your crew hinges on wonderful gamers producing wonderful performances, a foul night time for the Wizards’ stars leaves no backup plan. Washington has been an inconsistent defensive crew all season and rides waves of cold and warm taking pictures. If the Wizards are on, they’re powerful. But when not, it might go south shortly.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Decide your poison
Sensible in all probability can’t guard two gamers directly, so the Celtics might want to decide the place he’s finest utilized — in opposition to Westbrook or Beal? It’s an space the Wizards can attempt to exploit. Plus, keep watch over Westbrook taking Kemba Walker to the block when there’s a chance. Westbrook likes to exert his power and dimension in matchups; he has each over Walker.

Their playoff ceiling is …
An early problem for a contender. The Wizards play some wild video games and appear to have a knack for elevating their degree of play in opposition to higher groups. Westbrook by no means goes quietly, and any sequence with him concerned can have one thing dramatic occur.

Fan attendance
The Wizards are permitted to permit 10% capability at Capital One Area.

— Royce Younger

One stat to look at
The Wizards’ offense runs on isolation, spearheaded by their celebrity backcourt of Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. Washington has had probably the most isolations as a crew this season — 1,709, in keeping with Second Spectrum — with Westbrook and Beal having mixed for 1,327 (78%) of them. The one groups to attain extra factors in isolation this season are the Nets, Bucks and Knicks. — Jason Joseph

---

9. Indiana Pacers
2020-21 file: 34-38
BPI odds vs. CHA: 54%
Vegas title odds: +30000

The Pacers entered 2023-21 as maybe the NBA’s most constant crew, profitable between 42 and 48 video games in every of the earlier 5 seasons, however accidents derailed them. Indiana misplaced T.J. Warren to a season-ending navicular stress fracture within the season’s opening week, performed two months with out newly acquired Caris LeVert when he was recognized with renal cell carcinoma and extra lately misplaced Myles Turner to a partial tear of the plantar plate in his proper massive toe. With out Turner, the Pacers slid within the play-in standings and now should win twice to succeed in the playoffs.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Can they cease anyone with out Turner, the NBA’s main shot-blocker? His return from a plantar plate harm stays unsure. Since April 7, Indiana has ranked twentieth in defensive ranking with Turner taking part in only one sport in that span. Beforehand, the Pacers had been simply outdoors the NBA’s high 10, rating eleventh. And opponent factors within the paint have gone from 51.1 per sport (twenty ninth) 59.5 since April 7, almost 5 greater than every other crew has allowed.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Sport of zones?
The Pacers ranked third within the NBA in most possessions taking part in zone protection this season, in keeping with Second Spectrum monitoring, whereas the Hornets led the league on this class. Given the brief turnaround of the play-in, the number of defenses coach Nate Bjorkgren has used over the course of the season might current a game-planning problem for Charlotte and a attainable edge for Indiana.

Their playoff ceiling is …
First-round fodder. Given Turner’s harm and uncertainty about the way forward for their first-year head coach in Bjorkgren, merely escaping the play-in event could be a shock.

Fan attendance
The Pacers are permitted to permit 25% capability at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

— Kevin Pelton

One stat to look at
Indiana is led by All-Star massive man Domantas Sabonis, who is ready to change into the primary participant in Pacers historical past to common 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists per sport in a season. He’s one in every of 5 gamers to attain these totals this season. (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Julius Randle, Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic are the others.) The problems include Sabonis’ protection: When he’s on the court docket, the Pacers are outscored by 2.1 factors per 100 possessions; when he’s off the ground, their defensive ranking improves from 111.5 to 109.5, so he’s prime candidate for late-game offense-for-defense substitution patterns. — Jason Joseph

---

10. Charlotte Hornets
2020-21 file: 33-39
BPI odds vs. IND: 46%
Vegas title odds: +30000

Rookie guard LaMelo Ball has offered the power the Hornets wanted to regain nationwide relevance. Ball’s spectacular debut season, mixed with the addition of former All-Star Gordon Hayward and the robust play of Terry Rozier has given the Hornets a core value constructing round. P.J. Washington, Devonte’ Graham and Miles Bridges have offered coach James Borrego stable choices for a roster that has grown all through the season.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Playoff inexperience. Except for Hayward, who missed over a month heading into the play-in due to a foot harm, and Rozier — this can be a younger group that doesn’t know what the playoffs are like. The group hasn’t performed in massive video games collectively and goes to need to be taught on the fly what it takes to win. Ball doesn’t look like the kind of participant who shies away from a problem, so will probably be fascinating to see how he responds to playoff depth.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: LaMelo vs. his postseason debut
The important thing as to whether or not Charlotte can get previous the Pacers within the first play-in sport facilities round how Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball match up in opposition to Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert. Ball is the wild card getting his first style of playoff-level depth. Ball comes into the sport having gone simply 17-for-55 from the sphere over his previous 4 video games.

Their playoff ceiling is …
First-round fodder. If the Hornets can win their means out of the play-in event, the season needs to be thought-about a hit. This was all the time going to be a developmental yr — any playoff expertise will do them good.

Fan attendance
The Hornets are permitted to permit 60% capability at Spectrum Middle.

— Nick Friedell

One stat to look at
The Hornets discover themselves within the play-in event largely due to their unselfishness on the offensive finish. Charlotte is tied for fifth within the NBA in assists per sport (26.9). With the emergence of rookie LaMelo Ball, the Hornets have jumped from being nineteenth in that class final season. The ball strikes with tempo for the Hornets irrespective of who’s on the court docket, as they common 315.1 passes per sport as a crew, in keeping with Second Spectrum. Solely the Warriors, Pacers and 76ers transfer the ball greater than the Hornets. — Jason Joseph

Western Convention

1. Utah Jazz
2020-21 file: 52-20
Vegas title odds: +700

The Jazz had the NBA’s finest file for the overwhelming majority of the season in addition to the league’s longest profitable streak (11 video games) and two nine-game profitable streaks that tied for the second-longest runs of the marketing campaign. The Jazz received 39 video games by double digits, by far probably the most within the league. They led the league in web ranking (+9.0) by three factors per 100 possessions and had been the one crew to rank among the many high 5 in offensive (116.5) and defensive (107.5) scores. All-Star middle Rudy Gobert led the league in general plus-minus (+728) by nearly 200 factors, and Utah had the highest 4 gamers in that statistic.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Can the Jazz play their most popular offensive fashion through the postseason? Utah led the league in 3-pointers made (16.7 per sport) and tried (43.0) whereas taking the fewest midrange pictures (6.2). The Jazz generate high-quality pictures off of screening and crisp ball motion, however how properly will that work in opposition to a very good switching protection within the playoffs? When the Jazz get out of rhythm, they have an inclination to rely an excessive amount of on All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who sat the ultimate three video games of the common season with an ankle problem, to create late within the shot clock. Utah went 1-6 when Mitchell tried greater than 25 discipline objectives this season.

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champion. There are doubters, due primarily to the truth that this period’s Jazz have but to make a deep postseason run, however Utah must be thought-about a professional championship contender in a wide-open playoff discipline.

Fan attendance
The Jazz are permitted to permit 71% capability at Vivint Area.

— Tim MacMahon

One stat to look at
The Jazz set the NBA file for probably the most 3s made per sport at 16.7, however in addition they allowed a league-low 10.9 3s per sport. They’re simply the second crew in NBA historical past to take advantage of 3s and enable the fewest in a season, becoming a member of the 1999-2000 Pacers. That Indiana crew was coached by Larry Fowl, completed No. 1 within the East and went to the NBA Finals, shedding to the Lakers in six video games. — Vincent Johnson

---

2. Phoenix Suns
2020-21 file: 51-21
Vegas title odds: +1400

Coming off of an impressed 8-0 run within the bubble final season regardless of lacking the playoffs, the Suns had been able to make the bounce. Insert Chris Paul. The commerce for Paul, which despatched out 4 gamers and a 2023 first-rounder to Oklahoma Metropolis, helped to raise Suns from outdoors the playoff image to the No. 2 seed within the West and the second-best file within the league. Paul has performed at an All-NBA degree. And the Suns have had relative good well being all season: Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges have mixed to overlook simply six video games.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Will playoff inexperience change into an element? Paul and Jae Crowder have been right here, however how will the Suns’ general lack of playoff reps have an effect on the remainder of the roster? Down the stretch, as Phoenix chased the No. 1 seed, the Suns misplaced to Atlanta, the Lakers and Golden State (and nearly to Portland). If they will proper the ship and get again to the crew they had been from February to April — after they had been 35-10 — they’ll be simply superb.

Their playoff ceiling is …
A run to the NBA Finals. The West is actually the wild, wild West proper now: Phoenix might get unfortunate with its draw within the first spherical — that’s, a matchup with the defending champion Lakers — and have an early exit; or the Suns might energy by means of and switch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2010 into its first Finals journey since 1993.

Fan attendance
The Suns are permitted to permit 17% capability at Phoenix Suns Area.

— Andrew Lopez

One stat to look at
The Suns have been traditionally environment friendly on one typically forgotten space of the ground: the midrange. Led by Paul (first within the league in midrange makes) and Booker (fourth within the league), Phoenix shot 47.4% from that space through the common season, the very best share by any crew previously 20 seasons. — Vincent Johnson

---

3. Denver Nuggets
2020-21 file: 47-25
BPI odds vs. POR: 49%
Vegas title odds: +3500

After their surprising run to the Western Convention finals, the Nuggets opened the season 6-7. However Nikola Jokic opened the season on fireplace, launching an MVP marketing campaign with 4 triple-doubles in his first six video games. The Nuggets adopted their chief and had been wanting like title contenders after a deadline deal for the Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon. And despite the fact that level guard Jamal Murray tore his ACL and Monte Morris and Will Barton have missed prolonged time, the Nuggets enter the playoffs as a top-3 seed.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Does Jokic have sufficient assist? Keep in mind, Murray averaged 31.6 factors and scored 50 twice in a sensational first spherical in opposition to Utah final season. Michael Porter Jr. has to not solely step up as a professional No. 2 scoring menace however rebound at an elite degree and maintain his personal defensively in his second postseason. The Nuggets want Barton again to assist with scoring.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Jokic vs. Portland, Half II
The final time these two confronted one another within the playoffs, it took seven video games — together with a historic 140-137 four-overtime Sport 3 — for the Blazers to outlast the Nuggets within the second spherical in 2019. Jokic averaged 27.1 factors, 13.9 rebounds and seven.7 assists in that sequence, which was simply his second ever. Now he enters this matchup extra skilled and because the MVP front-runner. Though the Nuggets don’t have Jamal Murray, they do have Michael Porter Jr., who’s primed for his playoff breakout. The Nuggets might use the injured Will Barton again, however they’ve overcome accidents all season lengthy.

Their playoff ceiling is …
Convention finalist. The way in which Jokic has performed this season, he can carry the Nuggets again to the convention finals relying on the matchups. However with out Murray, who dazzled in final season’s playoff run, the Nuggets don’t appear to have sufficient to get to the Finals.

Fan attendance
The Nuggets are permitted to permit 40% capability at Ball Area.

— Ohm Youngmisuk

One stat to look at
Jokic has averaged 1.30 factors per possession out of the put up this season, the perfect by any participant in a season since Second Spectrum started participant monitoring in 2013-14 (minimal 300 post-ups). Double The Joker in the event you dare, however he’s all the time a step forward, growing that effectivity by almost 20% when he sees a double-team (1.54). That’s the perfect by any participant in a season — by far — since 2013-14 (minimal 100 double-teams). — Vincent Johnson

---

4. LA Clippers
2020-21 file: 47-25
BPI odds vs. DAL: 65%
Vegas title odds: +500

The Clippers entered the season saying they had been motivated by their second-round bubble collapse. Paul George got here in decided to have a bounce-back season. Kawhi Leonard needed to be extra of a pacesetter. New coach Tyronn Lue was centered on studying from the Clippers’ errors of a season in the past. At their finest, they’ve shot the three at a historic tempo, they’ve handed exquisitely and Leonard and George have appeared like a dominant duo. However as soon as once more, accidents have disrupted their chemistry and led to inconsistency and simply as many questions as final postseason.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
But once more, the Clippers discover themselves questioning if they’ve constructed sufficient chemistry heading into the playoffs, as accidents have prevented them from taking part in at full power for a lot of the season. Even perhaps worse, the Clippers don’t all the time convey the main target and look disinterested for stretches. (They misplaced to Dallas by 51 earlier this season.) Have they got sufficient management? Have they got a constant third choice to ease the burden on Leonard and George? Can their protection stay as much as huge expectations? And might their high-powered offense not stall out within the warmth of fourth quarters. The Clippers have a lot a couple of concern in the intervening time.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Clippers’ protection vs. Luka Doncic
For the second straight postseason, the Clippers and Mavericks will sq. off, and there have been some tense moments between the 2 groups, particularly between Marcus Morris and Doncic. Regardless of shedding the season sequence 2-1, the Clippers will enter this rematch assured after dealing with Dallas in six video games within the first spherical final yr. However the Clippers’ protection faces a extra skilled Doncic, who averaged 31.0 factors, 9.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists in that first spherical and delivered that incredible buzzer-beating step-back 3 to win Sport 4 in time beyond regulation. Lue and affiliate head coach/defensive coordinator Dan Craig have every week to determine their Doncic defensive sport plan.

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champion. Regardless of their points, the Clippers possess all of the title elements: the star duo, the veteran depth, the teaching and championship expertise. When they’re locked in, nobody shoots the three higher as a crew.

Fan attendance
The Clippers are permitted to permit 11% capability at Staples Middle.

— Ohm Youngmisuk

One stat to look at
Leonard and George are each wholesome going into the playoffs, and that mixture dominated of their 43 video games performed collectively through the common season. The All-Star duo ranked first in offensive ranking (122.5) and true taking pictures share (64%) and second in web ranking (+17.6) amongst all two-man lineups with no less than 1,000 minutes. — Vincent Johnson

---

5. Dallas Mavericks
2020-21 file: 42-30
BPI odds vs. LAC: 35%
Vegas title odds: +5000

The Mavericks, who had been hit arduous by COVID-19 early within the season, had been 5 video games underneath .500 in early February. Dallas has the NBA’s fifth-best profitable share (.673) since then, working its option to the center of the West playoff image. Luka Doncic has produced MVP-caliber numbers, becoming a member of Damian Lillard as the one gamers to rank among the many league’s high 10 in scoring (27.7 factors per sport) and assists (8.6). Homegrown function gamers Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith have developed into important elements of the Mavs’ core. Dallas’ depth has helped the Mavs handle Kristaps Porzingis’ frequent unavailability as a result of accidents.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Does Doncic have to hold an excessive amount of of the burden? Porzingis has had flashes of potential, however accidents and inconsistency have prevented him from proving himself able to being the secondary star on a professional contender. With knee soreness sidelining him lately, it’s arduous for the Mavs to depend on him performing within the playoffs. Dallas wants Tim Hardaway Jr. — thought-about a wage dump from the Knicks within the Porzingis deal — to proceed his scorching late-season taking pictures.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Kristaps Porzingis vs. Clippers facilities
The most important query in regards to the Mavericks — brief and long run — is whether or not Porzingis could be the elite co-star obligatory for Dallas to be a professional championship menace. He performed properly in his abbreviated first style of the postseason final yr, averaging 23.7 factors on 52.5% taking pictures from the ground in three video games in opposition to the Clippers earlier than his meniscus harm sidelined him for the remainder of the sequence. LA can drive Porzingis to play on the perimeter defensively if it performs Serge Ibaka or a small lineup with Marcus Morris at middle.

Their playoff ceiling is …
Second-round exit. Doncic makes the Mavs harmful in any matchup, however any sequence win they pull off within the West could be thought-about an upset. Dallas might journey a red-hot Doncic to a first-round shock. A second? Don’t depend on it.

Fan attendance
The Mavericks are permitted to permit 47% capability at American Airways Middle.

— Tim MacMahon

One stat to look at
Doncic has fashioned a powerful partnership with Porzingis, particularly on decide performs. In keeping with Second Spectrum, the Mavericks have averaged 1.18 factors per direct decide when Doncic is the ball handler and Porzingis is the screener. That’s the most effective mixture within the league amongst duos to run 300 picks. — Matt Williams

---

6. Portland Path Blazers
2020-21 file: 42-30
BPI odds vs. DEN: 51%
Vegas title odds: +5000

It was a rocky season for the Blazers, rising and falling within the West and, as is custom, coping with myriad accidents. They went months with out Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum, pinning the burden on Damian Lillard’s shoulders, and he carried it brilliantly. That’s, till he hit a wall and the Blazers went right into a hunch. However Portland recorrected late and is again in place within the West.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
The bench. The Blazers adjusted their roster to deal with wing protection, however they nonetheless are in the hunt for their finest seven or eight gamers. Their bench has been spotty, with Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony’s minutes expectedly coinciding with dips on the defensive finish. However in addition they want to enhance non-Lillard minutes with offense. It’s been a problem for Portland all season to seek out secure rotations, and as they head into playoff basketball, coach Terry Stotts might want to discover his finest lineups on the fly.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: Damian Lillard vs. Aaron Gordon
These groups know one another properly, having performed an epic seven-game sequence simply two seasons in the past. It’ll look somewhat totally different this time round with some new faces and one main harm, one which for Denver — Jamal Murray — might play a essential function. Gordon solidifies Denver’s defensive scheme, offering a extra versatile and athletic defender to increase pickup factors on Lillard. The Blazers’ postseason success is essentially pushed by the way in which Lillard can stretch and bend defenses along with his vary. The Nuggets have a brand new weapon to probably counter that.

Their playoff ceiling is …
A second-round exit. The Blazers won’t be betting favorites to make it out of the primary spherical, however Lillard & Co. by no means go simply. Playoff time is 48 minutes of Dame Time, and so long as Lillard is wholesome, the Blazers are harmful. Scoring an opening-round upset in one of the vital wide-open playoffs in years is actually doable.

Fan attendance
The Path Blazers are permitted to permit 10% capability at Moda Middle.

— Royce Younger

One stat to look at
The much-maligned Path Blazers protection completed the common season twenty ninth in defensive ranking, changing into simply the third crew to make the playoffs after rating within the backside two over the previous 25 seasons. (The 2017-18 Cavaliers and 2002-03 Bucks are the others.) However Portland locked in to complete the season, ending twelfth since April 27. In that span, the Blazers held opponents to a league-low 1.06 factors per possession in transition, in keeping with Second Spectrum. — Vincent Johnson

West play-in event

7. Los Angeles Lakers
2020-21 file: 42-30
BPI odds vs. GS: 59%
Vegas title odds: +450

The Lakers had only a 71-day offseason to take pleasure in their 2023 NBA championship earlier than the league launched into its shortened 72-game season. Regardless of the brief respite, LeBron James was shot out of a cannon to start his 18th season, as L.A. stayed close to the highest of the Western Convention standings by means of the primary half of the schedule and James garnered MVP buzz. Then the season went off the rails. Anthony Davis suffered a calf pressure and Achilles tendinosis in his proper leg that sidelined him for 9 weeks. James had Solomon Hill dive on his proper leg, inflicting a excessive ankle sprain that saved him out for six weeks. Contract extension talks broke down between the crew and Dennis Schroder, and L.A. tried to commerce him for Kyle Lowry. After the commerce fell by means of, Schroder entered the league’s well being and security protocols at least opportune time with the Lakers combating for playoff seeding down the stretch.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Moreover the plain potential pitfall of James or Anthony aggravating their accidents, the Lakers’ 3-point taking pictures has been unreliable this season. Ranked simply twenty fifth in 3s made per sport and twenty first in crew 3-point share, L.A. has been downright pedestrian when its pictures aren’t falling, going 12-11 when the crew makes fewer than 10 3-pointers. When the crew has a rhythm from the skin, it performs much better — 30-19 when connecting on 10 3-pointers or extra. In different phrases, guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wesley Matthews and Ben McLemore might be the true difference-makers for the weak defending champs.

Matchup to look at in Spherical 1: LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry
This matchup options the 2 most impactful gamers to come back by means of the league within the final 15 years. The final time James and Curry met in a winner-take-all state of affairs — Sport 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals — a whopping 30.8 million viewers tuned in. Curry is coming off a stellar season wherein he received the NBA scoring title (31.8 PPG) whereas James missed 22 of the Lakers’ ultimate 26 video games due to a excessive ankle sprain. Is L.A. ripe for an upset?

Their playoff ceiling is …
NBA champion, however this designation comes with a heavy caveat. You may by no means depend out a LeBron James crew — the previous 9 occasions he was within the postseason, his crew made it to the NBA Finals. However, he has by no means missed as many video games in a season as he has this marketing campaign, and at 36, he received’t have the ability to put his crew on his again perpetually.

Fan attendance
The Lakers are permitted to permit 11% capability at Staples Middle.

— Dave McMenamin

One stat to look at
The Lakers might be probably the most harmful 7-seed since seeding started in 1984. Traditionally, 7- and 8-seeds haven’t fared properly within the playoffs. Since 1984, solely the 1998-99 Knicks and 1986-87 SuperSonics have reached the convention finals, with solely New York reaching the Finals in a lockout-shortened season. If James and Davis are wholesome, the Lakers might make an analogous run; they’re 19-8 when each stars are within the lineup. — Matt Williams

---

8. Golden State Warriors
2020-21 file: 39-33
BPI odds vs. LAL: 41%
Vegas title odds: +10000

The one fixed for the ever-inconsistent Warriors has been the brilliance of Stephen Curry. The 2-time MVP carried the Warriors by means of quite a few stretches offensively whereas reminding the remainder of the league that he stays arguably probably the most harmful offensive participant in basketball. Draymond Inexperienced proved that he can nonetheless play at a excessive degree, and Andrew Wiggins performed a few of the most constant protection of his profession throughout his first full season within the Bay Space. The most important draw back of the Warriors’ season was the dearth of improvement from No. 2 general decide James Wiseman, who confirmed flashes of promise however struggled with consistency earlier than a knee harm ended his season in early April.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
The Warriors’ beginning 5 of Kevon Looney, Kent Bazemore, Wiggins, Inexperienced and Curry has discovered a rhythm during the last month. The difficulty is the dearth of depth behind them. With the accidents to Kelly Oubre Jr. (wrist), Eric Paschall (hip flexor) Damion Lee (COVID-19 protocols) and Wiseman, the Warriors can’t depend on the kind of depth that each robust playoff crew wants.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Wiggins vs. LeBron
From the second Wiggins was acquired final season from Minnesota, the Warriors had been assured they might assist the younger swingman change the narrative surrounding his profession. A yr later, Wiggins has rewarded the group’s religion in him by taking part in one of the vital constant seasons of his profession. Wiggins has all the time been in a position to rating, however the distinction in his sport is his reliability on the defensive finish. He comes into Wednesday’s sport in opposition to LeBron and the Lakers having scored 73 factors in his final three video games and will probably be counted on to maintain up the defensive depth throughout one in every of his finest stretches of the season.

Their playoff ceiling is …
An early problem for a contender. If Curry will get sizzling, something actually is feasible for the Warriors even of their depleted state — however with the uncertainties surrounding the again finish of the roster, will probably be powerful to string collectively 4 wins in opposition to among the finest groups within the West. As nice as Curry is, he can’t carry a crew out of the primary spherical and not using a little extra assist.

Fan attendance
The Warriors are permitted to permit 35% capability at Chase Middle.

— Nick Friedell

One stat to look at
Curry has grabbed the headlines, however Inexperienced has performed a significant function for the Warriors. In keeping with Second Spectrum, Inexperienced leads the NBA in discipline aim share allowed on the rim this season (minimal 200 discipline objectives defended). Plus, he has assisted to Curry 188 occasions, together with on 107 3-pointers, probably the most of any passer-scorer mixture. — Matt Williams

---

9. Memphis Grizzlies
2020-21 file: 38-34
BPI odds vs. SA: 59%
Vegas title odds: +30000

The Grizzlies improved from final season regardless of franchise cornerstone Jaren Jackson Jr. sitting out till late April whereas recovering from meniscus surgical procedure. The highlight in Memphis all the time shines on second-year level guard Ja Morant, a rising star with a aptitude for the spectacular. Nonetheless, an argument could be made that middle Jonas Valanciunas was the Grizzlies’ MVP through the common season. He averaged 17.1 factors per sport whereas rating third within the league in rebounding (12.5) and double-doubles (49).

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
Memphis, a franchise many anticipated could be within the early levels of a protracted rebuilding course of at this level, simply isn’t able to compete in opposition to the league’s elite. The Grizzlies had been 15-23 in opposition to .500 and above groups. They went 2-10 in opposition to the West’s high 4 seeds.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Ja Morant vs. Dejounte Murray
Murray is on the brief record of level guards who possess the bodily abilities and defensive credentials to probably decelerate the 2019-20 Rookie of the Yr. However that wasn’t the way in which it performed out through the common season, when Morant averaged 25.3 factors and 9.3 assists in three conferences with the Spurs, all within the first six weeks of the season. Since then, the Spurs have switched to Jakob Poeltl, placing an elite rim protector behind Murray.

Their playoff ceiling is …
First-round fodder. Whereas something can occur within the truncated play-in format, the Grizzlies’ season possible ends there for the second consecutive yr.

Fan attendance
The Grizzlies are permitted to permit 20% capability at FedExForum.

— Tim MacMahon

One stat to look at
The Grizzlies have dominated close to the basket this season, main the NBA in paint factors per sport and second-chance factors per sport. They’re the fourth crew over the previous 25 seasons to guide the league in each throughout the identical season. The final crew to do it was the 2012-13 Nuggets, who entered the playoffs because the 3-seed that season. — Matt Williams

---

10. San Antonio Spurs
2020-21 file: 33-39
BPI odds vs. MEM: 41%
Vegas title odds: +30000

The Spurs’ season featured hurdles at seemingly each flip. They’d a battle with COVID-19 that worn out every week and backloaded their second-half schedule. LaMarcus Aldridge was in the end launched. They’ve began 13 gamers and used 14 beginning lineups within the shortened season. They misplaced 10 of 12 since Derrick White went down with an ankle harm however nonetheless managed to make the play-in sport, as they appear to start a brand new streak of playoff appearances.

Greatest concern alongside their playoff path
The compacted schedule took its toll on the Spurs within the latter a part of the season. It additionally didn’t assist that White hasn’t been within the lineup since April 26 and is out for the season. However their largest concern within the playoffs will probably be their 3-point taking pictures. San Antonio is twenty ninth in made 3s per sport and twenty third in 3-point share. They will have good taking pictures video games — they hit 17 treys on Could 10 in opposition to Milwaukee — however as a rule, the pictures haven’t been falling.

Matchup to look at within the play-in: Battle of the benches
It’ll be a showdown between two of the higher bench models within the league when Memphis and San Antonio sq. off. Memphis’ bench averages 39.5 factors per sport this season — fourth finest within the league — whereas the Spurs’ second unit averages 38.7 factors, which is tied for sixth finest. And whereas the Spurs’ starters have averaged a league-worst 4.7 3-pointers a sport, the bench averages 5.4 3s an evening, which is fourth finest within the league.

Their playoff ceiling is …
First-round fodder. If the Spurs can get out of the play-in event, they’ll run into the West’s high seed. It’s been a tough go for San Antonio this season, and it’s arduous to see a state of affairs the place the Spurs make it out of the primary spherical.

Fan attendance
The Spurs are permitted to permit 17% capability at AT&T Middle.

— Andrew Lopez

One stat to look at
After lacking the postseason for the primary time since 1996-97, the Spurs might want to win twice within the play-in event to return. They’re led by Gregg Popovich, who has made the playoffs 22 occasions, tied with George Karl for probably the most by a head coach in NBA historical past. Plus, the Spurs have by no means missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. As for this season’s crew, it is likely one of the finest at holding onto the basketball. The Spurs rank second in turnovers per sport and lead the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. — Matt Williams