[ESPN] NBA 实力榜:30 支球队最重要的赛程

By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-02-26 21:00:00

由生成式人工智能翻译,译文内容可能不准确或不完整,以原文为准。

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2024-25 赛季 NBA 常规赛仅剩六周多一点,大多数球队现在都专注于季后赛,而另一些球队则及时止损,将目光锁定在即将到来的选秀和休赛期。

度过全明星周末后,球队和球员们应该都得到了充分的休息,可以应对剩余的赛程。

在东部,密尔沃基雄鹿、印第安纳步行者和底特律活塞之间的第 4 号种子争夺战愈演愈烈,这三支球队的战绩仅仅相差一场。奥兰多魔术、亚特兰大老鹰和迈阿密热火之间的附加赛名额争夺也依然激烈。

在西部,整个赛季都竞争激烈,俄克拉荷马城雷霆已经确立了他们榜首的位置,而联盟其余球队的战绩都非常接近。第 6 到第 9 名的球队之间都相差一场或更少的比赛。

本周,我们请我们的 NBA 内部人士分析了所有 30 支球队最重要的赛程。无论是为了最后一搏,冲击季后赛,还是为了争夺状元签而摆烂,在接下来的几周里,我们应该在日历上圈出哪些比赛呢?

以下是本周更新的 30 支球队的实力榜。

注意:球队排名是基于我们的专家小组(ESPN 的 Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright(迈克尔·莱特), Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk 和 Chris Herring)认为本赛季球队应该所处的位置。

往期排名: 季前赛 | 10月30日 | 11月5日 | 11月13日 | 11月20日 | 11月27日 | 12月4日 | 12月11日 | 12月18日 | 12月25日 | 1月1日 | 1月8日 | 1月15日 | 1月22日 | 1月29日 | 2月5日 | 2月12日

跳转至球队:

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

  1. 克利夫兰骑士
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 48胜10负
  • 上期排名: 2
  • 下场比赛: @ 波士顿(2月28日),主场迎战波特兰(3月2日),@ 芝加哥(3月4日)

对于骑士队来说,剩下最重要的比赛是周五在波士顿的比赛,他们希望在那里将对阵卫冕冠军的赛季系列赛战绩扳成 2 比 2 平。然而,骑士队最艰难的赛程是常规赛的最后三场比赛:在印第安纳和纽约的背靠背比赛,然后是在主场迎战步行者的赛季收官战。印第安纳上个月在主场击败了克利夫兰,但骑士队本赛季已经两次以两位数的优势击败了尼克斯。 – Dave McMenamin


  1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 46胜11负
  • 上期排名: 1
  • 下场比赛: @ 布鲁克林(2月26日),@ 亚特兰大(2月28日),@ 圣安东尼奥(3月2日),主场迎战休斯顿(3月3日)

可能是西部决赛的预演,随后是 NBA 总决赛的预热?雷霆队在 3 月 9 日至 10 日与丹佛掘金队进行背靠背比赛,然后在 3 月 12 日面对波士顿凯尔特人。如果这些球队想提前了解如何限制谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大,他们可能需要研究明尼苏达的包夹策略是如何在周一的大逆转中发挥重要作用的。尽管输掉了比赛,但这仍然是吉尔杰斯-亚历山大本赛季第 20 次单场得分达到 35 分或以上。据 ESPN Research 统计,他与凯文·杜兰特并列成为球队历史上仅有的两位在多个赛季中至少 20 次单场得分达到 35 分或以上的球员。 – Tim MacMahon


  1. 波士顿凯尔特人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 42胜16负
  • 上期排名: 3
  • 下场比赛: @ 底特律(2月26日),主场迎战克利夫兰(2月28日),主场迎战丹佛(3月2日)

在波士顿常规赛的最后几周里,有三场比赛应该被重点关注,而且都在 TD 花园举行:周五对阵骑士队,周日对阵掘金队,以及 3 月 12 日对阵雷霆队——这都是与他们卫冕冠军的最大对手的交锋。 – Tim Bontemps


  1. 丹佛掘金
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 38胜20负
  • 上期排名: 4
  • 下场比赛: @ 密尔沃基(2月27日),@ 底特律(2月28日),@ 波士顿(3月2日)

已经赢了过去 11 场比赛中的 10 场的掘金队,看起来越来越像西部冠军的有力争夺者。但是,赛程上有两场比赛可能会大大提升掘金队的地位,并决定 MVP 的归属。丹佛将于 3 月 9 日和 10 日在俄克拉荷马城进行背靠背比赛。如果丹佛能够横扫对手,掘金队可能会给雷霆队的出色赛季造成打击,并为季后赛前的形势增添更多的悬念。这可能也足以影响 MVP 选民对尼古拉·约基奇和雷霆队的谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大的投票。 – Ohm Youngmisuk


  1. 孟菲斯灰熊
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 38胜20负
  • 上期排名: 5
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战纽约(2月28日),主场迎战圣安东尼奥(3月1日),主场迎战亚特兰大(3月3日)

灰熊队在全明星周末后的五场客场之旅的东部赛程中,输掉了三场比赛中的两场,包括周日在克利夫兰的比赛。休息时间可能对控球后卫贾·莫兰特最有益,他因伤断断续续地缺席比赛,但现在已经连续打了四场比赛。刚刚第二次入选全明星赛的小贾伦·杰克逊充满信心,令人惊喜的新秀杰伦·威尔斯和扎克·埃迪也同样如此。孟菲斯将努力保持这种势头,因为他们在 3 月下旬将迎来一段相当艰难的赛程,连续四场客场比赛包括对阵快船队和俄克拉荷马城的比赛。 – 迈克尔·莱特


  1. 纽约尼克斯
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 37胜20负
  • 上期排名: 6
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战费城(2月26日),@ 孟菲斯(2月28日),@ 迈阿密(3月2日),主场迎战金州(3月4日)

尽管尼克斯队拥有联盟第五好的战绩,但他们目前对阵联盟顶级球队的战绩是 0 胜 7 负:骑士队、雷霆队和凯尔特人队。其中五场失利也没有真正具有竞争力。纽约队在 4 月 2 日至 11 日期间总共还有三场对阵骑士队和凯尔特人队的比赛。尼克斯队将渴望证明他们是一支有竞争力的球队,尽管他们在最高水平的比赛中表现不佳。 – Chris Herring


  1. 洛杉矶湖人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 35胜21负
  • 上期排名: 7
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战明尼苏达(2月27日),主场迎战快船(2月28日),主场迎战快船(3月2日)

出于显而易见的原因,卢卡·东契奇在 4 月 9 日重返达拉斯的比赛,仍然是湖人队赛程中备受期待的焦点,这是他们与独行侠队四场常规赛中的第三场。但是,从 3 月 13 日到 3 月 20 日的八天六战更为重要。它以在密尔沃基的背靠背客场比赛开始,随后是对阵丹佛的比赛。然后是在主场背靠背对阵菲尼克斯和圣安东尼奥,以及另一场对阵丹佛和密尔沃基的背靠背比赛。勒布朗·詹姆斯在他的 Instagram 账户上强调了这段赛程,并配文:“这太疯狂了!!!!!” – McMenamin


  1. 休斯顿火箭
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 36胜22负
  • 上期排名: 8
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战圣安东尼奥(2月26日),主场迎战萨克拉门托(3月1日),@ 俄克拉荷马城(3月3日),@ 印第安纳(3月4日)

火箭队在进入全明星周末前的九场比赛中输掉了七场,而且在全明星周末后的情况并没有变得更容易。尽管如此,休斯顿在周五击败了明尼苏达,小贾巴里·史密斯在因左手骨折缺席 22 场比赛后重返阵容,但在第二天晚上输给了犹他。受伤的控球后卫弗雷德·范弗利特因脚踝酸痛已经缺席了九场比赛,主教练艾米·乌度卡估计这位老将的状态约为 80%。范弗利特有机会在休斯顿即将到来的三场主场比赛中复出。然而,4 月 9 日和 11 日在洛杉矶对阵快船队和湖人队的背靠背比赛,对于目前排名西部第五的休斯顿队来说,是最重要的赛程。 – 迈克尔·莱特


  1. 印第安纳步行者
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 32胜24负
  • 上期排名: 10
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战多伦多(2月26日),@ 迈阿密(2月28日),主场迎战芝加哥(3月2日),主场迎战休斯顿(3月4日)

步行者队在去年的季后赛中淘汰了雄鹿队,如果目前的排名保持不变,他们将再次在首轮比赛中以第 4 号种子对阵第 5 号种子的身份面对密尔沃基。印第安纳目前拥有主场优势,但将在 3 月 11 日和 15 日的三场比赛中两次面对密尔沃基,这可能决定哪支球队最终能够在家开始系列赛。 – Jamal Collier


  1. 密尔沃基雄鹿
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 32胜25负
  • 上期排名: 12
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战丹佛(2月27日),@ 达拉斯(3月1日),@ 亚特兰大(3月4日)

雄鹿队将于 3 月 9 日开始一段四场比赛的赛程,这可能会决定他们通往季后赛的道路。这四场比赛中有三场是在主场进行,首先是对阵东部领先的骑士队,雄鹿队有机会赢得他们对阵东部前三名种子的第一场比赛(目前为 0 胜 9 负)。然后,雄鹿队将在接下来的三场比赛中与步行者队进行两场比赛,中间穿插一场对阵湖人队的比赛。但是,对阵印第安纳的那些比赛将是关键,特别是考虑到两支球队目前在东部的排名。 – Collier


  1. 明尼苏达森林狼
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 32胜27负
  • 上期排名: 9
  • 下场比赛: @ 洛杉矶湖人(2月27日),@ 犹他(2月28日),@ 菲尼克斯(3月2日),主场迎战费城(3月4日)

对明尼苏达来说的好消息是:他们剩余的赛程是联盟中最轻松的之一,只有多伦多在赛季结束时面对的球队的胜率更低。如果森林狼队想要摆脱附加赛并以前六名的身份进入季后赛,他们应该充分利用较为轻松的赛程,特别是在 3 月 14 日至 21 日的这段赛程中:五场比赛,只有一场是对阵胜率超过 50% 的球队(主场对阵印第安纳),三场比赛(两次对阵鹈鹕队和一次对阵爵士队)是对阵争夺状元签的球队。如果森林狼队状态良好,这应该是一次以连胜强势结束常规赛的机会。 – Collier


  1. 洛杉矶快船
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 31胜26负
  • 上期排名: 11
  • 下场比赛: @ 芝加哥(2月26日),@ 洛杉矶湖人(2月28日),@ 洛杉矶湖人(3月2日),@ 菲尼克斯(3月4日)

快船队对西部第六名的控制力正在减弱,因为他们正处于连续八场远离 Intuit 巨蛋的比赛中。但他们最后的六场比赛可能会决定快船队是否必须忍受附加赛。这段赛程从 4 月 4 日开始,连续两场主场对阵达拉斯的比赛,届时达拉斯可能会迎来健康的安东尼·戴维斯。科怀·伦纳德很可能必须缺席其中的一场比赛,因为快船队必须密切管理他,为季后赛做准备。在那之后,快船队将在主场迎战圣安东尼奥和休斯顿,然后在萨克拉门托和金州结束常规赛——这两支球队也将挑战第六名的位置。 – Youngmisuk


  1. 底特律活塞
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 32胜26负
  • 上期排名: 14
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战波士顿(2月26日),主场迎战丹佛(2月28日),主场迎战布鲁克林(3月1日),@ 犹他(3月3日)

不要仅仅想着进入季后赛。活塞队利用一波七连胜,在东部第六名上领先魔术队 3.5 场,他们现在可以将注意力转移到积分榜上的更高位置。底特律仅落后步行者队和雄鹿队一场,如果他们能保持如此接近的距离,以一场主场和一场客场对阵密尔沃基的比赛结束本赛季,将给他们带来潜在的两场比赛的波动。 – Kevin Pelton


  1. 金州勇士
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 31胜27负
  • 上期排名: 15
  • 下场比赛: @ 奥兰多(2月27日),@ 费城(3月1日),@ 夏洛特(3月3日),@ 纽约(3月4日)

重新焕发活力的勇士队将目光投向了第六名,一段对阵其他西部竞争者的五场比赛可能会决定他们避免附加赛的能力。挑战从 4 月 1 日对阵孟菲斯开始。在那之后,金州勇士队将在洛杉矶结束一段令人望而却步的六场客场之旅,他们将在那里面对新组合卢卡·东契奇和勒布朗·詹姆斯。勇士队回到主场迎战丹佛和休斯顿,然后拜访一支一直在附加赛边缘徘徊的菲尼克斯球队,这支球队将有一些额外的动力。勇士队然后将在常规赛结束时面对快船队,快船队紧紧抓住积分榜上的第 6 位。 – Youngmisuk


  1. 达拉斯独行侠
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 31胜28负
  • 上期排名: 13
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战夏洛特(2月27日),主场迎战密尔沃基(3月1日),主场迎战萨克拉门托(3月3日)

安东尼·戴维斯(内收肌拉伤)和德里克·莱夫利二世(脚踝应力性骨折)加入了球队的加州客场之旅,并且已经开始在球场上进行一些训练。据 ESPN 消息人士透露,独行侠队的希望是戴维斯和莱夫利能够及时回归,以便这对组合能够在常规赛结束时一起打几场比赛。他们将需要在从 4 月 4 日开始对阵快船队的背靠背比赛中出场,并且肯定希望戴维斯能够在 4 月 9 日卢卡和湖人队来到达拉斯时复出。 – MacMahon


  1. 萨克拉门托国王
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 29胜28负
  • 上期排名: 16
  • 下场比赛: @ 犹他(2月26日),@ 休斯顿(3月1日),@ 达拉斯(3月3日)

在周五主场以 24 分的劣势输给勇士队后,国王队现在发现自己在争夺附加赛席位的比赛中追逐他们的西部对手。萨克拉门托仍然可以弥补差距,并在两队于 3 月 13 日在 Chase 中心比赛时锁定赛季系列赛决胜局。赌注是巨大的。国王队目前在西部排名第 10,而附加赛锦标赛四年来,第 10 号种子尚未晋级季后赛。 – Pelton


  1. 奥兰多魔术
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 29胜31负
  • 上期排名: 19
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战金州(2月27日),主场迎战多伦多(3月2日),主场迎战多伦多(3月4日)

本赛季最后一周对阵老鹰队的两场比赛可能是决定魔术队附加赛排名的关键。奥兰多目前排名第七,略高于东南赛区的竞争对手亚特兰大和热火。保持在第七名意味着魔术队不必为了附加赛而奔波,并且可以通过在主场赢得首场比赛来以第七号种子的身份晋级。奥兰多还将在 3 月 19 日拜访迈阿密,争夺面对面交锋的决胜局。 – Pelton


  1. 菲尼克斯太阳
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 27胜31负
  • 上期排名: 17
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战新奥尔良(2月27日),主场迎战新奥尔良(2月28日),主场迎战明尼苏达(3月2日),主场迎战洛杉矶快船(3月4日)

当你像太阳队一样在二月份输掉 11 场比赛中的 9 场时,每场比赛对于在西部联盟季后赛中保持领先地位都很重要。也就是说,太阳队从 3 月 2 日到 3 月 12 日与西部前六名的对手进行的六场比赛可能会决定他们赛季的成败:主场迎战明尼苏达和快船队,随后是在丹佛、达拉斯、孟菲斯和休斯顿的客场比赛。 – McMenamin


  1. 迈阿密热火
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 26胜30负
  • 上期排名: 18
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战亚特兰大(2月26日),主场迎战印第安纳(2月28日),主场迎战纽约(3月2日),主场迎战华盛顿(3月3日)

本赛季的最后四场比赛是对阵 76 人队、公牛队、鹈鹕队和奇才队,到那时,这些比赛都应该是可以赢下的。对于一支目前正在参加附加赛并希望避免放弃两个未来无保护首轮选秀权的球队(如果他们没有进入季后赛就会发生),这段赛程可能是在试图进入 7-8 附加赛的关键,从而获得两次延长季后赛的机会。 – Bontemps


  1. 亚特兰大老鹰
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 27胜31负
  • 上期排名: 20
  • 下场比赛: @ 迈阿密(2月26日),主场迎战俄克拉荷马城(2月28日),@ 孟菲斯(3月3日),主场迎战密尔沃基(3月4日)

对于一支本赛季大部分时间都在附加赛中徘徊的亚特兰大队来说,即将到来的 4 月 8 日和 10 日对阵奥兰多的比赛最为重要。这些对决可能有助于决定哪支球队将获得东部第 7 号种子对阵第 8 号种子的主场优势。那场比赛的胜者很可能会在第一轮比赛中面对卫冕冠军波士顿。 – Herring


  1. 圣安东尼奥马刺
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 24胜32负
  • 上期排名: 21
  • 下场比赛: @ 休斯顿(2月26日),@ 孟菲斯(3月1日),主场迎战俄克拉荷马城(3月2日),主场迎战布鲁克林(3月4日)

圣安东尼奥在正在进行的牛仔竞技表演客场之旅中获得了一次短暂的喘息机会,在奥斯汀对阵底特律和菲尼克斯的背靠背比赛中取得了 1 胜 1 负的战绩。客场之旅于周日继续进行,进行了四场连续的客场比赛,并于周六在孟菲斯结束。新加入的迪阿隆·福克斯直到周日与俄克拉荷马城的比赛才会在家乡球迷面前比赛。随着球队的超级巨星维克托·文班亚马赛季报销,马刺队继续调整攻防两端的战术。到对阵快船队、勇士队和太阳队的三场客场之旅开始时,马刺队将很好地了解自己的处境,这反过来可能会决定他们是竞争季后赛还是在彩票中定位自己。 – 迈克尔·莱特


  1. 波特兰开拓者
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 25胜33负
  • 上期排名: 22
  • 下场比赛: @ 华盛顿(2月26日),@ 布鲁克林(2月28日),@ 克利夫兰(3月2日),@ 费城(3月3日)

进入西部附加赛阵容仍然是开拓者队的遥远目标,他们落后第 10 名 4½ 场。如果波特兰想要保持活力,那就意味着要在周三开始的六场客场之旅中处理好与实力较弱的对手的比赛。开拓者队在这趟客场之旅中面对联盟前三名的球队(波士顿、克利夫兰和俄克拉荷马城),但也还有三次机会与注定要参加抽签的华盛顿、布鲁克林和费城交手。输掉其中的任何一场比赛都将对波特兰的附加赛希望造成代价。 – Pelton


  1. 芝加哥公牛
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 23胜35负
  • 上期排名: 24
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战洛杉矶快船(2月26日),主场迎战多伦多(2月28日),@ 印第安纳(3月2日),主场迎战克利夫兰(3月4日)

公牛队可能刚刚在周一晚上打了他们本赛季最重要的比赛,以 142-110 战胜了状态下滑的 76 人队。这场胜利结束了六连败,但对于所谓的重建公牛队来说,它同时增加了他们对 76 人队在争夺最后一个附加赛席位的第 10 号种子的领先优势,并降低了芝加哥获得更高选秀权的机会。公牛队、篮网队和 76 人队都在争夺第 10 号种子的行列中,芝加哥队在 3 月 13 日还剩一场对阵布鲁克林的比赛。 – Collier


  1. 布鲁克林篮网
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 21胜36负
  • 上期排名: 25
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战俄克拉荷马城(2月26日),主场迎战波特兰(2月28日),@ 底特律(3月1日),@ 圣安东尼奥(3月4日)

凭借 21 场胜利,布鲁克林打得太好了——而且最终赢得太多了——以至于无法获得选秀抽签的最佳机会。如果篮网队想在这个阶段最大限度地提高他们的机会,他们可能会在 3 月 26 日和 4 月 6 日与多伦多的比赛中放松一下,多伦多的战绩是 NBA 第五差的。目前,猛龙队获得状元签的几率为 10.5%,而第七差的俱乐部篮网队的几率为 7.5%。 – Herring


  1. 费城 76 人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 20胜37负
  • 上期排名: 23
  • 下场比赛: @ 纽约(2月26日),主场迎战金州(3月1日),主场迎战波特兰(3月3日),@ 明尼苏达(3月4日)

费城常规赛的最后一场比赛是在主场对阵公牛队,并且基于两支球队在积分榜上的位置,这场比赛有可能决定东部第 10 名的归属。但是,鉴于最近关于乔尔·恩比德膝盖的消息,76 人队最好对他们常规赛剩余时间的打法采取谨慎的态度。 – Bontemps


  1. 多伦多猛龙
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 18胜40负
  • 上期排名: 26
  • 下场比赛: @ 印第安纳(2月26日),@ 芝加哥(2月28日),@ 奥兰多(3月2日),@ 奥兰多(3月4日)

从 3 月 7 日至 16 日,多伦多将进行六场比赛,对手分别是奇才队(两次)、爵士队(两次)、76 人队和开拓者队。这段赛程将有助于确定猛龙队是否将锁定前五名的抽签席位,或者在接下来的几周内面对轻松的赛程时在名单上进一步下滑。 – Bontemps


  1. 夏洛特黄蜂
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 14胜43负
  • 上期排名: 27
  • 下场比赛: @ 达拉斯(2月27日),主场迎战华盛顿(3月1日),主场迎战金州(3月3日)

只需关注 3 月 30 日和 31 日对阵新奥尔良和犹他的比赛即可。夏洛特拥有联盟第四差的战绩,而鹈鹕队和爵士队并列第二差的战绩。这意味着黄蜂队获得状元签的几率 (12.5%) 略低于华盛顿、犹他和新奥尔良作为三支最差的俱乐部所拥有的 14% 的几率(如果情况保持不变)。 – Herring


  1. 犹他爵士
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 14胜43负
  • 上期排名: 28
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战萨克拉门托(2月26日),主场迎战明尼苏达(2月28日),主场迎战新奥尔良(3月2日),主场迎战底特律(3月3日)

新秀凯尔·菲利波夫斯基(第 32 顺位)正处于他年轻职业生涯中最好的状态。在过去的四场比赛中,菲利波夫斯基场均得到 15.0 分和 6.5 个篮板,投篮命中率为 62.9%。在那段时间里,他已经获得了他的前两个 20 分的两双。爵士队将希望在这个即将到来的选秀中得到菲利波夫斯基的一些帮助,但是为了做到这一点,他们需要在常规赛的剩余时间内进行战略性的比赛。特别是 3 月 2 日对阵鹈鹕队和 3 月 5 日对阵奇才队的比赛——所有三支球队并列拥有在彩票中获得第一顺位的最佳几率 (14%)。 – MacMahon


  1. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 15胜43负
  • 上期排名: 29
  • 下场比赛: @ 菲尼克斯(2月27日),@ 菲尼克斯(2月28日),@ 犹他(3月2日),@ 洛杉矶湖人(3月4日)

篮球运营执行副总裁大卫·格里芬认为,交易截止日引进的布鲁斯·布朗和凯利·奥利尼克是经验丰富的球员,拥有高篮球智商,可以补充球队的基石锡安·威廉姆森。至于威廉姆森,他目前是他自鹈鹕队选秀他以来最轻的体重(264 磅)。由于这个赛季几乎已经失败,尚不清楚布朗和奥利尼克在接下来的几个月里可能会产生什么影响,但是考虑到这支球队经常受伤的情况,我们欢迎增援。从周四开始的四场比赛,其中包括对阵太阳队的两场比赛和对阵湖人队的一场比赛,将有助于更清楚地了解鹈鹕队需要如何继续围绕威廉姆森进行建设。 – 迈克尔·莱特


  1. 华盛顿奇才
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩: 10胜47负
  • 上期排名: 30
  • 下场比赛: 主场迎战波特兰(2月26日),@ 夏洛特(3月1日),@ 迈阿密(3月3日)

华盛顿目前独自垫底,希望在即将到来的选秀中获得状元签。本赛季末战绩最差的三支球队将有 14% 的机会获得状元签。因此,对于华盛顿来说,任何低于本赛季战绩最差的三支球队之一的情况,都将是他们已经失去的赛季中的一个重大挫折。考虑到这一点,本赛季还剩下三场奇才队最好输掉的比赛:周六在夏洛特,3 月 5 日对阵犹他,以及 3 月 19 日在犹他。 – Youngmisuk

点击查看原文:NBA Power Rankings: Most important stretch for all 30 teams

NBA Power Rankings: Most important stretch for all 30 teams

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With just over six weeks left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, most teams are now focusing on the postseason while others are cutting their losses and zeroing in on the upcoming draft and offseason.

Coming out of the All-Star break, teams and players should be well rested for the remainder of the schedule.

A race for the No. 4 seed between the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons has heated up in the East, as all three teams are collectively a game apart from one another. The fight for a play-in spot remains contentious between the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.

In the West, things have been hot all season, as the Oklahoma City Thunder have established their spot at the top while the rest of the conference has been neck-and-neck in the standings. The Nos. 6 through 9 teams are all separated by one game or less.

This week, we asked our NBA insiders to break down the most important stretch of games for all 30 teams. Whether it’s a last-ditch effort for a postseason push, or a tank for the top of the lottery, which games should we circle on our calendars in the coming weeks?

Here are this week’s updated Power Rankings for all 30 teams.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk and Chris Herring) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12

Jump to a team:\

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • 2024-25 record: 48-10
  • Previous ranking: 2
  • Next games: @ BOS (Feb. 28), vs. POR (Mar. 2), @ CHI (Mar. 4)

The biggest game remaining for the Cavs comes Friday in Boston, where they’ll hope to tie the season series at two apiece against the defending champs. The Cavaliers’ toughest stretch, however, comes in their last three games of the regular season: a back-to-back in Indiana and New York, followed by the home finale against the Pacers. Indiana beat Cleveland at home last month, but the Cavs have already beaten the Knicks by double digits twice this season. – Dave McMenamin


2. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 46-11
  • Previous ranking: 1
  • Next games: @ BKN (Feb. 26), @ ATL (Feb. 28), @ SA (Mar. 2), vs. HOU (Mar. 3)

A possible Western Conference finals preview followed by an NBA Finals tee-up? The Thunder have a back-to-back with Denver on March 9-10 before facing Boston on March 12. If those teams want an early look at how to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they may want to study how Minnesota’s trapping strategy against the MVP candidate played a significant role in its massive comeback win Monday. Despite the loss, it was Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20th 35-point performance of the season. According to ESPN Research, he joins Kevin Durant as the only players in franchise history with 20 or more 35-point performances in multiple seasons. – Tim MacMahon


3. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 42-16
  • Previous ranking: 3
  • Next games: @ DET (Feb. 26), vs. CLE (Feb. 28), vs. DEN (Mar. 2)

There are three games left across the final few weeks of Boston’s regular season that should be highlighted, and all are at TD Garden: Friday against the Cavaliers, Sunday against the Nuggets and March 12 against the Thunder – meetings against what appear to be the biggest oppositions to their title defense. – Tim Bontemps


4. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 38-20
  • Previous ranking: 4
  • Next games: @ MIL (Feb. 27), @ DET (Feb. 28), @ BOS (Mar. 2)

The Nuggets, who have won 10 of their past 11, are looking more and more like Western Conference contenders. But there are two games on the schedule that could go a long way toward boosting the Nuggets’ status and determining the MVP race. Denver plays a back-to-back at Oklahoma City on March 9 and 10. If Denver can sweep, the Nuggets could put a dent in the Thunder’s stellar season and create a ton of intrigue heading into the playoffs. It could also be enough to sway MVP voters when it comes to Nikola Jokic and OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. – Ohm Youngmisuk


5. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 38-20
  • Previous ranking: 5
  • Next games: vs. NYK (Feb. 28), vs. SA (Mar. 1), vs. ATL (Mar. 3)

The Grizzlies started the Eastern Conference portion of their five-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break losing two of three, including Sunday at Cleveland. The time off might have been the most beneficial for point guard Ja Morant, who has been in and out of the lineup because of injuries but has now played in four consecutive games. Fresh off his second All-Star appearance, Jaren Jackson Jr. is oozing confidence along with surprising rookies Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey. Memphis will look to ride this momentum as it hits a fairly difficult portion of the schedule in late March with four straight road games that include matchups against the Clippers and Oklahoma City. – Michael Wright


6. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 37-20
  • Previous ranking: 6
  • Next games: vs. PHI (Feb. 26), @ MEM (Feb. 28), @ MIA (Mar. 2), vs. GS (Mar. 4)

Despite owning the league’s fifth-best record, the Knicks are currently 0-7 against the top teams in the league: the Cavs, Thunder and Celtics. Five of those defeats weren’t truly competitive, either. New York has three games left against the Cavs and Celtics collectively; all three fall between April 2 and 11. The Knicks will be eager to illustrate they are a title contender, despite what they’ve shown in their highest-profile games so far. – Chris Herring


7. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 35-21
  • Previous ranking: 7
  • Next games: vs. MIN (Feb. 27), vs. LAC (Feb. 28), vs. LAC (Mar. 2)

For obvious reasons, the return of Luka Doncic to Dallas on April 9 is the box office event still awaiting the Lakers on their schedule for the third of four regular-season matchups against the Mavericks. But the six-game stretch in eight days from March 13 through March 20 is more consequential. It starts with a road back-to-back in Milwaukee, followed by a matchup in Denver. Then a home back-to-back against Phoenix and San Antonio and another back-to-back against Denver and Milwaukee. LeBron James highlighted the stretch on his Instagram account with the caption: “This is INSANE!!!” – McMenamin


8. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 36-22
  • Previous ranking: 8
  • Next games: vs. SA (Feb. 26), vs. SAC (Mar. 1), @ OKC (Mar. 3), @ IND (Mar. 4)

The Rockets dropped seven of nine games going into the All-Star break, and it didn’t get any easier for them coming out. Still, Houston defeated Minnesota on Friday with Jabari Smith Jr. back in the lineup after missing 22 games because of a broken bone in his left hand, before losing the next night at Utah. Injured point guard Fred VanVleet has missed nine consecutive games because of a sore ankle, and coach Ime Udoka estimates the veteran is at approximately 80%. There’s a chance VanVleet might return during Houston’s upcoming three-game homestand. However, the back-to-back outings in Los Angeles against the Clippers and Lakers on April 9 and 11 is the most important stretch of games for a Houston squad that sits at No. 5 in the West. – Wright


9. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 32-24
  • Previous ranking: 10
  • Next games: vs. TOR (Feb. 26), @ MIA (Feb. 28), vs. CHI (Mar. 2), vs. HOU (Mar. 4)

The Pacers eliminated the Bucks in the postseason last year and are slated to face Milwaukee in the first round again in the No. 4 versus No. 5 matchup if the standings hold. Indiana currently has home-court advantage but will face Milwaukee twice in a three-game stretch on March 11 and 15 that could decide which team will ultimately get to start the series at home. – Jamal Collier


10. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 32-25
  • Previous ranking: 12
  • Next games: vs. DEN (Feb. 27), @ DAL (Mar. 1), @ ATL (Mar. 4)

The Bucks will begin a four-game stretch on March 9 that could define their path toward the playoffs. Three of those four games are at home, beginning with the East-leading Cavs and a chance for Milwaukee to win its first game against the top three seeds in the conference (so far it is 0-9). Then, the Bucks will play the Pacers in two of the next three games, with a matchup against the Lakers in between. But those games against Indiana will be key, especially considering where the two teams stand in the East right now. – Collier


11. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 32-27
  • Previous ranking: 9
  • Next games: @ LAL (Feb. 27), @ UTA (Feb. 28), @ PHX (Mar. 2), vs. PHI (Mar. 4)

The good news for Minnesota: It has one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league, with only Toronto facing teams with a lower winning percentage to end the season. If the Wolves want to escape the play-in tournament and make the playoffs as a top-six seed, it should take advantage of the lighter schedule, particularly during one stretch from March 14-21: five games, only one against a team over .500 (at home against Indiana) and three games (Pelicans twice and Utah) against teams heading for the top of the lottery. If the Wolves are clicking, it should be a chance for a winning streak to end the regular season strong. – Collier


12. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record: 31-26
  • Previous ranking: 11
  • Next games: @ CHI (Feb. 26), @ LAL (Feb. 28), @ LAL (Mar. 2), @ PHX (Mar. 4)

The Clippers’ grip on the sixth spot in the West is slipping as they are in the midst of eight consecutive games away from Intuit Dome. But their final six games could determine whether the Clippers have to endure the play-in. That stretch starts on April 4 with two back-to-back home games against Dallas, who could have a healthy Anthony Davis back. Kawhi Leonard will likely have to sit out one of those games, as the Clippers will have to manage him closely to prep for the playoffs. After that, the Clippers host San Antonio and Houston before finishing the regular season at Sacramento and Golden State – two other teams that will challenge for the sixth spot. – Youngmisuk


13. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 32-26
  • Previous ranking: 14
  • Next games: vs. BOS (Feb. 26), vs. DEN (Feb. 28), vs. BKN (Mar. 1), @ UTA (Mar. 3)

Forget merely making the playoffs. With the Pistons having used a seven-game winning streak to open up a 3.5-game lead over the Magic for the sixth seed in the East, they can now turn their attention up in the standings. Detroit is only a game back of the Pacers and Bucks for fourth, which would mean home-court advantage in the first round. If the Pistons can stay that close, finishing the season with a home-and-home set against Milwaukee will give them a potential two-game swing. – Kevin Pelton


14. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 31-27
  • Previous ranking: 15
  • Next games: @ ORL (Feb. 27), @ PHI (Mar. 1), @ CHA (Mar. 3), @ NYK (Mar. 4)

The rejuvenated Warriors have their eyes set on the sixth seed and a five-game stretch against other Western Conference contenders could determine their ability to avoid the play-in. The challenge starts on April 1 against Memphis. After that, Golden State finishes a daunting six-game road trip in Los Angeles where they will face the new-look duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Warriors return home to face Denver and Houston before visiting a Phoenix team that has been teetering on the play-in line and will have some extra motivation. The Warriors then finish the regular season against the Clippers, who are clinging to the No. 6 spot in the standings. – Youngmisuk


15. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 31-28
  • Previous ranking: 13
  • Next games: vs. CHA (Feb. 27), vs. MIL (Mar. 1), vs. SAC (Mar. 3)

Big men Anthony Davis (adductor strain) and Dereck Lively II (stress fracture in ankle) joined the team on the California road trip and have progressed to getting in some work on the court. The Mavs’ hope is that Davis and Lively will return in time for the tandem to get several games together at the end of the regular season, sources told ESPN. They’ll be needed in their back-to-back against the Clippers that starts on April 4 and will definitely want Davis back when Luka and the Lakers come to town on April 9. – MacMahon


16. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 29-28
  • Previous ranking: 16
  • Next games: @ UTA (Feb. 26), @ HOU (Mar. 1), @ DAL (Mar. 3)

After a 24-point home loss to the Warriors on Friday, the Kings now find themselves chasing their West rivals in the race for play-in positioning. Sacramento can still make up ground and secure the season series tiebreaker when the two teams play on March 13 at the Chase Center. The stakes are significant. The Kings are currently 10th in the West, and the No. 10 seed has yet to advance to the playoffs in the four years of the play-in tournament. – Pelton


17. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 29-31
  • Previous ranking: 19
  • Next games: vs. GS (Feb. 27), vs. TOR (Mar. 2), vs. TOR (Mar. 4)

A pair of games against the Hawks in the season’s final week could be key to determining play-in positioning for the Magic. Orlando currently sits seventh, just ahead of Southeast Division rivals Atlanta and the Heat. Staying in seventh would mean the Magic don’t have to travel for the play-in tournament and could advance as the No. 7 seed by winning the opening game at home. Orlando also visits Miami on March 19 with the head-to-head tiebreaker on the line. – Pelton


18. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 27-31
  • Previous ranking: 17
  • Next games: vs. NO (Feb. 27), vs. NO (Feb. 28), vs. MIN (Mar. 2), vs. LAC (Mar. 4)

When you’ve lost nine of 11 games in February, like the Suns have, every game matters when it comes to staying afloat in the Western Conference playoff picture. That said, the Suns’ six-game stretch from March 2 to March 12 against six Western foes ahead of them in the standings could make or break their season: home against Minnesota and the Clippers, followed by road games in Denver, Dallas, Memphis and Houston. – McMenamin


19. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 26-30
  • Previous ranking: 18
  • Next games: vs. ATL (Feb. 26), vs. IND (Feb. 28), vs. NYK (Mar. 2), vs. WAS (Mar. 3)

The final four games of the season are against the 76ers, Bulls, Pelicans and Wizards – all of which, by then, should be wins. For a Heat team currently in the play-in and hoping to avoid giving up two future unprotected first-round picks (which happens if they don’t make the playoffs), that could be a pivotal stretch in trying to get into the 7-8 play-in game, and thus getting two chances at extending their postseason. – Bontemps


20. Atlanta Hawks

  • 2024-25 record: 27-31
  • Previous ranking: 20
  • Next games: @ MIA (Feb. 26), vs. OKC (Feb. 28), @ MEM (Mar. 3), vs. MIL (Mar. 4)

For an Atlanta team that has been teetering in the play-in for most of the season, upcoming games against Orlando on April 8 and 10 will matter the most. These matchups could help determine which club gets home-court advantage for the East’s No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game. The winner of that game will likely get a first-round matchup with reigning champion Boston. – Herring


21. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record: 24-32
  • Previous ranking: 21
  • Next games: @ HOU (Feb. 26), @ MEM (Mar. 1), vs. OKC (Mar. 2), vs. BKN (Mar. 4)

San Antonio received a brief respite in the ongoing Rodeo Road Trip with a back-to-back set against Detroit and Phoenix in Austin that produced a 1-1 record. The road trip continued Sunday with four straight road games, which ends Saturday in Memphis. New addition De’Aaron Fox won’t play in front of the home crowd in San Antonio until a Sunday matchup with Oklahoma City. With franchise superstar Victor Wembanyama out for the season, the Spurs continue to tweak schematics on both ends of the floor. By the onset of a three-game road trip against the Clippers, Warriors and Suns, the Spurs will have a good idea of where they stand, which in turn will likely determine whether they’ll compete for the postseason or position themselves in the lottery. – Wright


22. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 25-33
  • Previous ranking: 22
  • Next games: @ WAS (Feb. 26), @ BKN (Feb. 28), @ CLE (Mar. 2), @ PHI (Mar. 3)

Getting into the play-in mix in the West remains a long shot for the Blazers, who are 4½ games out of 10th. If Portland is going to stay alive, that means taking care of business against the weaker opponents on a six-game road trip that starts Wednesday against the Wizards. The Blazers face the league’s top three teams (Boston, Cleveland and Oklahoma City) during the trip, but also have three chances to fatten up against lottery-bound Washington, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. Dropping any of those games would be costly to Portland’s play-in hopes. – Pelton


23. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 23-35
  • Previous ranking: 24
  • Next games: vs. LAC (Feb. 26), vs. TOR (Feb. 28), @ IND (Mar. 2), vs. CLE (Mar. 4)

The Bulls may have just played their most important game of the season on Monday night, a 142-110 victory over the fading 76ers. The win snapped a six-game losing streak, but for the so-called rebuilding Bulls, it simultaneously increased their lead over the Sixers for the No. 10 seed for the final play-in spot and decreased Chicago’s odds of securing a higher draft pick. The Bulls, Nets and Sixers are all loosely in the mix for the No. 10 seed, and Chicago has one game remaining against Brooklyn on March 13. – Collier


24. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 21-36
  • Previous ranking: 25
  • Next games: vs. OKC (Feb. 26), vs. POR (Feb. 28), @ DET (Mar. 1), @ SA (Mar. 4)

With 21 wins, Brooklyn has played too well – and ultimately won too much – to be in a position to land the best odds for the draft lottery. If the Nets want to maximize their chances at this stage, they’ll potentially take their foot off the pedal for their March 26 and April 6 matchups with Toronto, who has the NBA’s fifth-worst mark. Currently, the Raptors have a 10.5% chance at the top pick, whereas the Nets, the seventh-worst club, have a 7.5% chance. – Herring


25. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 20-37
  • Previous ranking: 23
  • Next games: @ NYK (Feb. 26), vs. GS (Mar. 1), vs. POR (Mar. 3), @ MIN (Mar. 4)

Philadelphia’s final game of the regular season is at home against the Bulls, and based on where both teams are in the standings, it’s plausible that game could decide the 10th spot in the East. However, given the recent news about Joel Embiid’s knee, it might be better for the 76ers to take a cautious approach to how they play the rest of the regular season. – Bontemps


26. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 18-40
  • Previous ranking: 26
  • Next games: @ IND (Feb. 26), @ CHI (Feb. 28), @ ORL (Mar. 2), @ ORL (Mar. 4)

From March 7-16, Toronto will play six games against the Wizards (twice), Jazz (twice), 76ers and Trail Blazers. That stretch will help determine whether the Raptors are going to be locked into a top-five lottery spot or move farther down the list over the coming weeks against a soft schedule. – Bontemps


27. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 14-43
  • Previous ranking: 27
  • Next games: @ DAL (Feb. 27), vs. WAS (Mar. 1), vs. GS (Mar. 3)

Look no further than the March 30 and 31 games versus New Orleans and Utah, respectively. Charlotte has the league’s fourth-worst record, while the Pelicans and Jazz are tied for the second-worst mark. This means the Hornets’ odds for the top pick (12.5%) are slightly below the 14% that Washington, Utah and New Orleans would have as the three worst clubs if things remain the way they are. – Herring


28. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 14-43
  • Previous ranking: 28
  • Next games: vs. SAC (Feb. 26), vs. MIN (Feb. 28), vs. NO (Mar. 2), vs. DET (Mar. 3)

Rookie Kyle Filipowski, the No. 32 pick, is in the midst of the best stretch of his young career. Filipowski has averaged 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds over his past four games, shooting 62.9% from the floor. He has had his first two 20-point double-doubles during that span. The Jazz will look to get Filipowski some help in this upcoming draft, but in order to do that, they’ll need to strategically play the rest of the regular season. Especially against the Pelicans on March 2 and the Wizards on March 5 – all three teams are tied for the best odds for the No. 1 spot in the lottery (14%). – MacMahon


29. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 15-43
  • Previous ranking: 29
  • Next games: @ PHX (Feb. 27), @ PHX (Feb. 28), @ UTA (Mar. 2), @ LAL (Mar. 4)

Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin views trade deadline additions Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk as experienced players with high hoops IQs who complement franchise cornerstone Zion Williamson. As for Williamson, he’s currently the lightest he has been (264 pounds) since the Pelicans drafted him. With the season virtually a bust, it’s unknown what impact Brown and Olynyk might make in the next couple of months, but given this team’s rash of injuries, reinforcements are welcomed. A four-game stretch starting Thursday that features two games against the Suns and one against the Lakers will help to provide a clearer picture of how the Pels need to continue to build around Williamson. – Wright


30. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 10-47
  • Previous ranking: 30
  • Next games: vs. POR (Feb. 26), @ CHA (Mar. 1), @ MIA (Mar. 3)

Washington is currently alone at the bottom of the standings as it hopes to land the top pick in the upcoming draft. The three teams with the worst records at the end of the season will have a 14% chance at the pick. So anything less than one of the three worst records for Washington this season would be a significant downturn in their already lost season. With that in mind, three games remain this season that the Wizards would be better off losing: at Charlotte on Saturday, against Utah on March 5 and at Utah on March 19. – Youngmisuk

By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN