[ESPN] NBA 实力榜：雄鹿稳守，快船力争季后赛

阿拉莫议事厅
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By NBA insiders | ESPN, 2025-03-19 20:26:00

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 常规赛还剩不到一个月，各支球队开始锁定季后赛席位，而另一些球队则将结束征程，为六月份的选秀大会做准备。

只有三支球队——波士顿凯尔特人、克利夫兰骑士和俄克拉荷马城雷霆——已经正式进入季后赛。还有四支球队——底特律活塞、印第安纳步行者、纽约尼克斯和密尔沃基雄鹿——至少已经锁定了一个附加赛席位。西部的新奥尔良鹈鹕和犹他爵士已经无缘季后赛。

随着常规赛赛程的推进，紧张气氛依然高涨，西部第二的争夺依旧不明朗，而东部的附加赛席位也在不断变化。

常规赛还剩不到 20 场比赛，现在是关键时刻。让我们来看看本周的实力榜，看看 30 支球队的排名情况。

注：球队排名基于我们的专家组（ESPN 的蒂姆·邦坦普斯(Tim Bontemps)、贾马尔·科利尔(Jamal Collier)、迈克尔·莱特(Michael Wright)、蒂姆·麦克马洪(Tim MacMahon)、戴夫·麦克梅南(Dave McMenamin)、奥姆·扬米苏克(Ohm Youngmisuk) 和克里斯·赫林(Chris Herring)）对本赛季球队表现的评估。

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 | 2 月 26 日 | 3 月 5 日 | 3 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： 56胜12负
  • 上期排名： 1
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵国王（3 月 19 日），客场对阵太阳（3 月 21 日），客场对阵爵士（3 月 23 日），客场对阵开拓者（3 月 25 日）

保罗·班凯罗在周日输给魔术的比赛中，在比赛还剩 45.1 秒时投进的制胜球，结束了骑士的 16 连胜。骑士队本赛季最后 15 场比赛中有 9 场是客场。但领先波士顿 7 个胜场，骑士对东部第一的控制应该不会受到太大考验。预计他们会像对阵魔术时那样优先考虑健康，当时埃文·莫布里因脚部挫伤而缺席。 – 戴夫·麦克梅南

  1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 56胜12负
  • 上期排名： 2
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵 76 人（3 月 19 日），主场对阵黄蜂（3 月 21 日），客场对阵快船（3 月 23 日），客场对阵国王（3 月 25 日）

俄克拉荷马城在过去的 11 场比赛中赢下了 10 场，在此期间，他们的百回合得分高达联盟最高的 122.7 分，尽管贾伦·威廉姆斯和切特·霍姆格伦各自缺席了 4 场比赛。雷霆队有 7 名球员在这 11 场比赛中场均得分上双，其中 MVP 热门人选谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大场均得到 35.9 分，投篮命中率为 .542/.406/.946。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 波士顿凯尔特人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 50胜19负
  • 上期排名： 3
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵爵士（3 月 21 日），客场对阵开拓者（3 月 23 日），客场对阵国王（3 月 24 日）

佩顿·普里查德成为了 NBA 历史上单赛季替补球员投进三分球最多的球员，尽管距离赛季结束还有近一个月的时间。普里查德是本赛季球队中最稳定的球员之一，仅次于杰森·塔图姆，他在替补席上的稳定发挥使他成为年度最佳第六人的热门人选。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 休斯顿火箭
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 44胜25负
  • 上期排名： 9
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵魔术（3 月 19 日），客场对阵热火（3 月 21 日），主场对阵掘金（3 月 23 日），主场对阵老鹰（3 月 25 日）

火箭队周一以戏剧性的方式将连胜纪录扩大到 7 场，他们克服了对阵费城 25 分的落后劣势，追平了球队历史上最大逆转胜利。冉冉升起的新星小贾巴里·史密斯和杰伦·格林各自拿下 30 分，球队继续得到来自阿尔佩伦·申京、塔里·伊森和狄龙·布鲁克斯的重要贡献。尽管取得了连胜，火箭队主教练伊梅·乌度卡(Ime Udoka)也很清楚他的球队容易在面对实力较弱的球队时表现不佳，他说“显然有些地方出了问题”。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 丹佛掘金
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 44胜25负
  • 上期排名： 4
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵湖人（3 月 19 日），客场对阵开拓者（3 月 21 日），客场对阵火箭（3 月 23 日），主场对阵公牛（3 月 24 日）

在上周与西部领头羊雷霆在俄克拉荷马城进行的一场背靠背比赛中，双方战成平手后，掘金队表现低迷。他们被森林狼击败，想方设法击败了湖人，但随后本赛季第二次输给了重建中的奇才。在尼古拉·约基奇和贾马尔·穆雷受伤的情况下，掘金队周一在金州击败了炙手可热的勇士队。阿隆·戈登爆发砍下 38 分，拉塞尔·威斯布鲁克以三双控制了比赛。这种胜利可能会给掘金队带来动力，因为他们将在接下来的四场客场之旅中再打三场比赛。 – 奥姆·扬米苏克

  1. 孟菲斯灰熊
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 43胜26负
  • 上期排名： 6
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵开拓者（3 月 19 日），客场对阵快船（3 月 21 日），客场对阵爵士（3 月 25 日）

明星控球后卫贾·莫兰特(Ja Morant)在周一输给萨克拉门托的比赛中因左腿筋酸痛而缺席，此前他一直在忍受肩伤的困扰。莫兰特在孟菲斯队争夺西部第二的过去 10 场比赛中缺席了 4 场，灰熊队连续 5 场比赛得分达到 120 分或以上，这是 NBA 现役最长的纪录。德斯蒙德·贝恩最近状态火热，在过去的 2 场比赛中 12 投 11 中，而贾伦·杰克逊(Jaren Jackson Jr.)在 3 月初缺席了 4 场比赛后，似乎已经完全恢复了健康。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 纽约尼克斯
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 43胜24负
  • 上期排名： 7
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵马刺（3 月 19 日），客场对阵黄蜂（3 月 20 日），主场对阵奇才（3 月 22 日），主场对阵独行侠（3 月 25 日）

从杰伦·布伦森在输给湖人的比赛中严重扭伤脚踝，到米卡尔·布里奇斯在波特兰投中压哨三分获胜，再到输给连胜的勇士的令人沮丧的失利，尼克斯的西海岸之旅（2-3）充满了戏剧性。他们将迎来一个更平静的阶段，接下来的赛程是他们赛季中最轻松的赛程之一。在接下来的一周里，他们将面对马刺、黄蜂、奇才和阵容不整的独行侠，这减轻了布伦森的压力——据 ESPN 的沙姆斯·查拉尼亚(Shams Charania)报道，他预计至少还会缺席一周。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 金州勇士
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 40胜29负
  • 上期排名： 8
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵猛龙（3 月 20 日），客场对阵老鹰（3 月 22 日），客场对阵热火（3 月 25 日）

勇士在吉米·巴特勒在场的情况下只输掉了 16 场比赛中的第二场，当时丹佛在没有尼古拉·约基奇、贾马尔·穆雷和克里斯蒂安·布劳恩的情况下击败了他们。勇士队进入那场失利前已经取得了七连胜，并在过去的 13 场比赛中赢下了 12 场，这注定是一场糟糕的比赛。但在斯蒂芬·库里 21 投 6 中，7 次助攻和 7 次失误后，史蒂夫·科尔坚称他的超级球星“精疲力竭”，需要休息。库里还在处理背部问题，并缺席了周二对阵雄鹿的第二场背靠背比赛。在本周主场迎战雄鹿和猛龙之后，勇士队将迎来一场六场客场之旅，其中包括巴特勒重返迈阿密的激动人心的比赛。 – 奥姆·扬米苏克

  1. 洛杉矶湖人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 42胜25负
  • 上期排名： 5
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵掘金（3 月 19 日），主场对阵雄鹿（3 月 20 日），主场对阵公牛（3 月 22 日），客场对阵魔术（3 月 24 日）

奥斯汀·里夫斯正处于火热状态。这位湖人后卫在五天内打了四场比赛，场均得到 30.8 分、7 次助攻、6.8 个篮板和 2 次抢断。“他是我们的第三选择[在勒布朗·詹姆斯和卢卡·东契奇之后]，但他比联盟中大多数的一号位和二号位都更出色，”他的后场搭档乔丹·古德温(Jordan Goodwin)说。“所以我们必须继续尊重奥斯汀·里夫斯的名字。” – 戴夫·麦克梅南

  1. 明尼苏达森林狼
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 40胜30负
  • 上期排名： 11
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵鹈鹕（3 月 19 日），主场对阵鹈鹕（3 月 21 日），客场对阵步行者（3 月 24 日）

森林狼队周一在加时赛中被步行者终结了 8 连胜，但明尼苏达队正是在合适的时机表现出色。森林狼队在朱利叶斯·兰德尔上场的过去 13 场比赛中都取得了胜利，而且接下来赛程轻松——两次对阵鹈鹕，然后客场对阵步行者——应该让他们有机会积累更多的胜利。他们在周二与勇士队并列西部第六的种子。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 密尔沃基雄鹿
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 38胜30负
  • 上期排名： 10
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵湖人（3 月 20 日），客场对阵国王（3 月 22 日），客场对阵太阳（3 月 24 日）

雄鹿队将在接下来的两周里进行他们最长的客场之旅——一场为期 10 天的五场西海岸之旅，这场旅行从周二晚上输给勇士队开始。在杰里科·西姆斯接受手术修复手腕伤势后，雄鹿队进入了阵容不整的旅行，这将使他缺席接下来的一个月。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 印第安纳步行者
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 38胜29负
  • 上期排名： 12
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵独行侠（3 月 19 日），主场对阵篮网（3 月 20 日），主场对阵篮网（3 月 22 日），主场对阵森林狼（3 月 24 日）

步行者队似乎将在季后赛第一轮与雄鹿队发生正面冲突，这是连续第二个赛季，但印第安纳队这次对阵密尔沃基队的统治力不如以往。在上个赛季以 8-3 战胜雄鹿队（包括季后赛）之后，步行者队在本赛季与分区对手的五场比赛中输掉了四场。但主场优势可能仍然在第一轮中可争夺；印第安纳队和密尔沃基队在周二的战绩相同，但雄鹿队拥有决胜优势。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 洛杉矶快船
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 39胜30负
  • 上期排名： 13
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵灰熊（3 月 21 日），主场对阵雷霆（3 月 23 日）

在输掉七场比赛中的六场之后，快船扭转了局面，并在接下来的八场比赛中赢下了七场——最值得注意的是周二战胜了东部领先的骑士队。但他们在三月份剩余的赛程中并没有变得更容易。快船队在接下来的七场比赛中将面对灰熊队、俄克拉荷马城队、纽约队、奥兰多队和克利夫兰队。这是一个可能决定他们能否重返积分榜第六位并留在附加赛之外的机会。诺曼·鲍威尔和本·西蒙斯回归对他们冲击季后赛是一个很大的推动。 – 奥姆·扬米苏克

  1. 底特律活塞
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 38胜31负
  • 上期排名： 14
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵热火（3 月 19 日），客场对阵独行侠（3 月 21 日），主场对阵鹈鹕（3 月 23 日），主场对阵马刺（3 月 25 日）

周四在主场输给奇才队可能会付出高昂的代价，因为活塞队正在争夺季后赛的席位。进入周二，底特律队在争取第四种子和季后赛首轮主场优势方面落后步行者队和雄鹿队一场比赛，在失利方面落后两场比赛。在周六输给俄克拉荷马城队之后，活塞队周一反弹，以 46 分的优势击败了鹈鹕队，追平了球队历史上第二大的分差。底特律队有四名替补得分上双。 – 凯文·佩尔顿(Kevin Pelton)

  1. 萨克拉门托国王
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 34胜33负
  • 上期排名： 15
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵骑士（3 月 19 日），主场对阵公牛（3 月 20 日），主场对阵雄鹿（3 月 22 日），主场对阵凯尔特人（3 月 24 日），主场对阵雷霆（3 月 25 日）

多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯(Domantas Sabonis)从腿筋拉伤中恢复后的表现并没有像预期的那样。萨博尼斯离开比赛缝合他的左眼，然后又在第三节踩到杰伦·威尔斯(Jaylen Wells)的脚上扭伤了脚踝。尽管萨博尼斯在 12 分钟后就离开了比赛，但国王队还是设法结束了他们的四连败。由于萨博尼斯的出场时间太少，这场比赛不计入获得奖项资格的 65 场比赛的最低要求，使他距离最低要求还差 9 场比赛，而还剩下 15 场比赛。萨博尼斯在周二晚上被正式宣布至少缺席 10 天，原因是右脚踝扭伤。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 奥兰多魔术
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 32胜37负
  • 上期排名： 19
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵火箭（3 月 19 日），客场对阵奇才（3 月 21 日），主场对阵湖人（3 月 24 日），客场对阵黄蜂（3 月 25 日）

周日在克利夫兰进行的全国直播比赛中，魔术队结束了骑士队的 16 连胜，这看起来正是魔术队希望看到的样子。奥兰多队在去年首轮七场系列赛的重演中锁死了多诺万·米切尔，限制了他的投篮命中率为 28 投 9 中，并从肯塔维奥斯·考德威尔-波普(Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)那里得到了一记关键的后期 3 分球。在附加赛之前，两支球队有望在首轮再次相遇，尽管这次是 1-8 的对决。魔术队要想摆脱附加赛已经太晚了，但他们仍然可以通过击败老鹰队获得第七名来为晋级做好准备。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 亚特兰大老鹰
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 33胜36负
  • 上期排名： 17
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵勇士（3 月 22 日），主场对阵 76 人（3 月 23 日），客场对阵火箭（3 月 25 日）

戴森·丹尼尔斯将超越里基·卢比奥在 2013-14 赛季创造的 191 次抢断纪录，成为十多年来 NBA 抢断次数最多的老鹰队侧翼球员。本赛季在防守端表现挣扎的老鹰队，需要丹尼尔斯在那一端表现出色——并减少对手在跳投时的空位——考虑到如果老鹰队从附加赛中晋级，他们将在首轮面对克利夫兰或波士顿的进攻。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 菲尼克斯太阳
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 32胜37负
  • 上期排名： 16
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵公牛（3 月 19 日），主场对阵骑士（3 月 21 日），主场对阵雄鹿（3 月 24 日）

菲尼克斯已经近两个月没有连续赢得比赛了。太阳队上一次连胜是在 1 月 22 日至 27 日的三场比赛，此后他们的战绩仅为 8 胜 16 负。然而，仍然有希望进入附加赛。菲尼克斯以一场之差落后于伤病缠身的独行侠队，争夺第 10 名，也是最后一个附加赛席位，还剩下 13 场比赛。 – 戴夫·麦克梅南

  1. 达拉斯独行侠
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 33胜36负
  • 上期排名： 18
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵步行者（3 月 19 日），主场对阵活塞（3 月 21 日），客场对阵篮网（3 月 24 日），客场对阵尼克斯（3 月 25 日）

前锋 P.J. 华盛顿在缺席了前两周的比赛后，在周日的复出表现令人印象深刻，原因是脚踝扭伤。华盛顿在主场输给 76 人队的比赛中得到 29 分，17 投 11 中，并抢下 12 个篮板。他和克莱·汤普森一起，成为唯一可以上场的常规首发球员，独行侠伤兵满营。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 迈阿密热火
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 29胜39负
  • 上期排名： 20
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵活塞（3 月 19 日），主场对阵火箭（3 月 21 日），主场对阵黄蜂（3 月 23 日），主场对阵勇士（3 月 25 日）

在迈阿密在纽约输掉了周一的第八场比赛——也是主教练埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉(Erik Spoelstra)职业生涯中最长的连败——他称这一段时期是常规赛中最艰难的时期之一。热火队在过去的几场比赛中第四节表现糟糕，导致他们跌至东部附加赛的第 10 名，也是最后一个席位。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 波特兰开拓者
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 30胜39负
  • 上期排名： 21
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵灰熊（3 月 19 日），主场对阵掘金（3 月 21 日），主场对阵凯尔特人（3 月 23 日），主场对阵骑士（3 月 25 日）

在周末击败了两支争夺乐透签的球队之后，开拓者仍然在附加赛的争夺中，落后独行侠三场比赛，落后太阳两场比赛，争夺第 10 名。为了保持在触手可及的范围内，波特兰可能需要在本次主场之旅的剩余比赛中取得一些关键的胜利，其中包括 NBA 前八名球队中的四支：波士顿、克利夫兰、丹佛和孟菲斯。开拓者队本赛季对阵该队的战绩为 1 胜 6 负。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 芝加哥公牛
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 29胜39负
  • 上期排名： 23
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵太阳（3 月 19 日），客场对阵国王（3 月 20 日），客场对阵湖人（3 月 22 日），客场对阵掘金（3 月 24 日）

在东部联盟排名第 10 位 75 天后，公牛队升至第 9 位，超越了正在衰落的热火队，并将自己置于举办附加赛的位置。公牛队在过去的 10 场比赛中取得了 6 胜 4 负的战绩，并在周二仅落后第 7 种子老鹰队 3 场比赛。芝加哥赛季的结束突然从选秀权的位置转变为潜在的附加赛席位争夺。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 圣安东尼奥马刺
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 28胜39负
  • 上期排名： 22
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵尼克斯（3 月 19 日），主场对阵 76 人（3 月 21 日），客场对阵猛龙（3 月 23 日），客场对阵活塞（3 月 25 日）

随着俱乐部宣布达龙·福克斯和维克托·文班亚马赛季报销，聚光灯强烈地照耀在年度最佳新秀候选人斯蒂芬·卡斯尔身上，他在过去的 3 场比赛中场均得到 22 分。马刺队表示他们正在为胜利而战，但他们仍然没有真正争夺西部附加赛的席位——在积分榜上排名第 13 位。也许现在是圣安东尼奥试验年轻球员和更具创造性的阵容的时候了，着眼于以福克斯和文班亚马为首的未来，也许还有另一位将在自由球员市场或选秀中增加的关键贡献者。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 多伦多猛龙
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 24胜45负
  • 上期排名： 26
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵勇士（3 月 20 日），主场对阵马刺（3 月 23 日），客场对阵奇才（3 月 24 日）

由于赛程轻松，猛龙队最近几天在积分榜上超过了篮网队和 76 人队，甚至可能在未来几周内超过马刺队。这可能会限制多伦多队在即将到来的选秀中再引进一名高端新秀的机会。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 费城 76 人
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 23胜45负
  • 上期排名： 24
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵雷霆（3 月 19 日），客场对阵马刺（3 月 21 日），客场对阵老鹰（3 月 23 日），客场对阵鹈鹕（3 月 24 日）

76 人队只剩下抽签球可以打，但是昆汀·格里姆斯在保罗·乔治赛季报销后一直是球队的亮点。格里姆斯是一名待定的受限制自由球员，上个月在一笔交易中从达拉斯来到这里，他在过去的五场比赛中至少得到 25 分——包括在周一激动人心的加时赛中输给火箭队的比赛中爆发的 46 分。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 布鲁克林篮网
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 23胜46负
  • 上期排名： 25
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵步行者（3 月 20 日），客场对阵步行者（3 月 22 日），主场对阵独行侠（3 月 24 日）

卡姆·托马斯是球队的头号得分手，场均 24 分，预计将因左腿筋拉伤而缺席本赛季剩余的比赛。但是这位 23 岁的球员是今年夏天的受限制自由球员，他觉得自己已经在布鲁克林赢得了任期。“当我得到主要上场时间时，我觉得我已经成为联盟中同位置上最好的后卫之一，”当被问及成为篮网队核心球员的潜力时，他告诉记者。“当我拥有上场时间和重要角色时，我的天空才是极限。” – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 18胜51负
  • 上期排名： 27
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵森林狼（3 月 19 日），客场对阵森林狼（3 月 21 日），客场对阵活塞（3 月 23 日），主场对阵 76 人（3 月 24 日）

鹈鹕队周二宣布特雷·墨菲(Trey Murphy III)被诊断出患有右肩盂唇撕裂和肩袖部分撕裂。最新的挫折凸显了鹈鹕队本赛季的伤病有多么严重，而且俱乐部很有可能在下赛季开始时缺少几名顶级球员。尽管新奥尔良队在过去的八场比赛中输掉了七场，但自锡安·威廉姆森(Zion Williamson)复出以来，他一直处于火热状态，尽管上场时间受到限制，但他仍然取得了天文数字般的表现。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 夏洛特黄蜂
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 17胜51负
  • 上期排名： 28
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵尼克斯（3 月 20 日），客场对阵雷霆（3 月 21 日），客场对阵热火（3 月 23 日），主场对阵魔术（3 月 25 日）

最大的抽签戏码之一是黄蜂队是否会留在 NBA 积分榜的后三名。夏洛特队与新奥尔良队实际上并列联盟倒数第三的战绩，这将使这两支球队都有资格获得赢得头号选秀权的最高抽签几率。上周凸显了这一挑战：拉梅洛·鲍尔、乔什·格林和尼克·史密斯(Nick Smith Jr.)在战胜马刺队的比赛中合计 27 投 19 中。与此同时，其他俱乐部，如犹他队，开始在长时间内更有创意地将关键球员放在替补席上，以提高他们的抽签机会。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 华盛顿奇才
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 15胜52负
  • 上期排名： 30
  • 接下来比赛： 客场对阵爵士（3 月 19 日），主场对阵魔术（3 月 21 日），客场对阵尼克斯（3 月 22 日），主场对阵猛龙（3 月 24 日）

奇才队在三月份打出了本赛季可能最好的篮球。他们在过去的七场比赛中赢得了四场，包括在底特律和丹佛的连续胜利。然而，周三在犹他州的比赛将提醒他们争夺头号选秀权的乐透目标。两支球队都以 15 场胜利并列联盟垫底，犹他队已经连输 10 场比赛。 – 奥姆·扬米苏克

  1. 犹他爵士
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 15胜52负
  • 上期排名： 29
  • 接下来比赛： 主场对阵奇才（3 月 19 日），主场对阵凯尔特人（3 月 21 日），主场对阵骑士（3 月 23 日），主场对阵灰熊（3 月 25 日）

由于爵士队非常重视球员发展，三年级中锋沃克·凯斯勒(Walker Kessler)最近被允许从 3 分线外投篮。这位 7 英尺高的球员在本周早些时候输给森林狼队和公牛队的比赛之前，整个赛季只尝试了 6 次 3 分球，在爵士队过去的 2 场比赛中，他在三分线外的命中率为 11 投 1 中。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: Bucks hold steady, Clippers push for postseason

NBA Power Rankings: Bucks hold steady, Clippers push for postseason

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With less than a month left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, teams are beginning to claim their spots in the postseason, while others will see their campaigns end and get ready for the draft in June.

Only three teams – the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder – are officially in the playoffs. Four more teams – the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks – have claimed at least a spot in the play-in tournament. Two teams in the West, the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz, have already been eliminated from the postseason.

Tensions remain high as we play out the rest of the regular-season schedule, with no clear-cut favorite to take the No. 2 seed in the West and the play-in bracket continuously shuffling in the East.

With fewer than 20 games left in the regular season, it’s crunch time. Let’s take a look at this week’s Power Rankings to see where all 30 teams stand.

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 | Feb. 26 | Mar. 5 | Mar. 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: 56-12
  • Previous ranking: 1
  • Next games: @ SAC (Mar. 19), @ PHX (Mar. 21), @ UTAH (Mar. 23), @ POR (Mar. 25)

Paolo Banchero’s go-ahead jumper with 45.1 seconds remaining in Sunday’s loss to Orlando put an end to the Cavs’ 16-game winning streak. Cleveland finishes the season with nine of its final 15 games on the road. But with a seven-game lead over Boston, the Cavs’ grip on the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference shouldn’t be tested too much. Look for them to prioritize health down the stretch, as they did against Orlando when Evan Mobley was held out with a bruised foot. – Dave McMenamin

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 56-12
  • Previous ranking: 2
  • Next games: vs. PHI (Mar. 19), vs. CHA (Mar. 21), @ LAC (Mar. 23), @ SAC (Mar. 25)

Oklahoma City has won 10 of its past 11 games, scoring a league-high 122.7 points per 100 possessions during that span despite Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren each missing four games. Seven Thunder players have averaged double figures over the 11-game stretch, led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35.9 points per game on .542/.406/.946 shooting splits. – Tim MacMahon

3. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 50-19
  • Previous ranking: 3
  • Next games: @ UTAH (Mar. 21), @ POR (Mar. 23), @ SAC (Mar. 24)

Payton Pritchard became the all-time record holder for the most 3-pointers made in a season by a reserve in NBA history despite almost a month remaining on the schedule. Pritchard has been one of the most consistent players on the team this season outside of Jayson Tatum, and his constant help off the bench has made him a favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year. – Tim Bontemps

4. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 44-25
  • Previous ranking: 9
  • Next games: @ ORL (Mar. 19), @ MIA (Mar. 21), vs. DEN (Mar. 23), vs. ATL (Mar. 25)

The Rockets extended their winning streak to seven games Monday in dramatic fashion by rallying from a 25-point deficit against Philadelphia, tying the largest comeback win in franchise history. Budding talents Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green dropped 30 points apiece as the team continues drawing significant contributions from Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason and Dillon Brooks. Despite the streak, Rockets coach Ime Udoka is well aware of his team’s tendency to struggle against lesser teams, saying “something is obviously going wrong there.” – Michael Wright

5. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 44-25
  • Previous ranking: 4
  • Next games: @ LAL (Mar. 19), @ POR (Mar. 21), @ HOU (Mar. 23), vs. CHI (Mar. 24)

After splitting a back-to-back set against the West-leading Thunder in Oklahoma City last week, the Nuggets sputtered. They were handled by the Timberwolves, found a way to beat the Lakers but then lost, for the second time this season, to the rebuilding Wizards. With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray banged up, the Nuggets stunned the red-hot Warriors in Golden State on Monday. Aaron Gordon exploded for 38 points and Russell Westbrook controlled the game with a triple-double. It was the type of win that can give the Nuggets a jolt as they play three more games on a four-game road trip. – Ohm Youngmisuk

6. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 43-26
  • Previous ranking: 6
  • Next games: @ POR (Mar. 19), @ LAC (Mar. 21), @ UTAH (Mar. 25)

Already playing through a nagging shoulder injury, star point guard Ja Morant sat out Monday’s loss in Sacramento due to a sore left hamstring. Morant has missed four of Memphis’ past 10 games with the Grizzlies pushing for the second seed in the West, scoring 120 points or more in five straight outings, which registers as the longest active streak in the NBA. Desmond Bane has been on fire lately, knocking down 11-of-12 from deep in his past two games, while Jaren Jackson Jr. appears to be fully healthy again after missing four games earlier this month. – Wright

7. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 43-24
  • Previous ranking: 7
  • Next games: @ SA (MAR. 19), @ CHA (Mar. 20), vs. WAS (Mar. 22), vs. DAL (Mar. 25)

Between Jalen Brunson turning his ankle badly in a loss to the Lakers, Mikal Bridges’ buzzer-beating 3 for a win in Portland and a deflating loss to the streaking Warriors, the Knicks’ West Coast trip (2-3) had plenty of drama. They’ll have a calmer stretch, with one of the softer portions of their schedule ahead. With matchups against the Spurs, Hornets, Wizards and the short-handed Mavs over the next week, it puts less pressure on Brunson – who’s expected to miss at least another week, per ESPN’s Shams Charania --to rush back. – Chris Herring

8. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 40-29
  • Previous ranking: 8
  • Next games: vs. TOR (Mar. 20), @ ATL (Mar. 22), @ MIA (Mar. 25)

The Warriors suffered just their second loss in 16 games with Jimmy Butler III in the lineup when Denver stunned them without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. Golden State, which had won seven straight and 12 of 13 games entering that loss, was due for a clunker. But after Stephen Curry shot 6-for-21 and had seven assists with seven turnovers, Steve Kerr was adamant that his superstar was “exhausted” and in need of rest. Curry is also dealing with a back issue and was held out from Tuesday’s second back-to-back against Milwaukee. After facing the Bucks and Raptors at home this week, the Warriors have a six-game road trip that includes Butler’s emotional return to Miami. – Youngmisuk

9. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 42-25
  • Previous ranking: 5
  • Next games: vs. DEN (Mar. 19), vs. MIL (Mar. 20), vs. CHI (Mar. 22), @ ORL (Mar. 24)

Austin Reaves is on a heater. The Lakers guard averaged 30.8 points, 7 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 2 steals playing four games in five nights. “He’s our third option [behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic], but he’s better than most ones, better than most twos in the league,” his backcourt mate, Jordan Goodwin said. “So we got to keep putting respect on AR’s name.” – Dave McMenamin

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 40-30
  • Previous ranking: 11
  • Next games: vs. NO (Mar. 19), vs. NO (Mar. 21), @ IND (Mar. 24)

The Timberwolves had an eight-game winning streak snapped in overtime Monday by the Pacers, but Minnesota is playing well at the right time. The Wolves had won their past 13 games with Julius Randle in the lineup, and a light upcoming schedule – twice against the Pelicans before playing at Indiana – should give them a chance to stack more wins. They entered Tuesday tied with the Warriors for the No. 6 seed in the West. – Jamal Collier

11. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 38-30
  • Previous ranking: 10
  • Next games: @ LAL (Mar. 20), @ SAC (Mar. 22), @ PHX (Mar. 24)

The Bucks are on the road for the next two weeks for their longest road trip – a five-game, 10-day West Coast swing that began with a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night. Milwaukee is going into the trip short-handed after center Jericho Sims needed surgery to repair a wrist injury that will sideline him for the next month. – Collier

12. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 38-29
  • Previous ranking: 12
  • Next games: vs. DAL (Mar. 19), vs. BKN (Mar. 20), vs. BKN (Mar. 22), vs. MIN (Mar. 24)

The Pacers appear headed toward a collision course with the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season, but Indiana has not been as dominant against Milwaukee this time. After going 8-3 against the Bucks last season (including in the playoffs), the Pacers have dropped four of five against their division rivals this season. But home-court advantage might still be up for grabs in the first round; Indiana and Milwaukee entered Tuesday with identical records, but the Bucks own the tiebreaker. – Collier

13. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record: 39-30
  • Previous ranking: 13
  • Next games: vs. MEM (Mar. 21), vs. OKC (Mar. 23)

After losing six of seven games, the Clippers flipped things and won their next seven of eight – most notably against the East-leading Cavaliers on Tuesday. But their schedule doesn’t get any easier for the remainder of March. The Clippers face Memphis, Oklahoma City, New York, Orlando and Cleveland again in their next seven games. It is a stretch that could make or break their chances of getting back to sixth in the standings and staying out of the play-in. Having Norman Powell and Ben Simmons back is a big boost for their push toward the postseason. – Youngmisuk

14. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 38-31
  • Previous ranking: 14
  • Next games: @ MIA (Mar. 19), @ DAL (Mar. 21), vs. NO (Mar. 23), vs. SA (Mar. 25)

Losing at home to the Wizards on Thursday could be costly as the Pistons battle for playoff positioning. Entering Tuesday, Detroit was a game back of the Pacers and Bucks for the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and two back in the loss column. After losing to Oklahoma City on Saturday, the Pistons bounced back Monday to blow out the Pelicans by 46 points, tying the second-largest margin in franchise history. Four Detroit reserves scored in double figures. – Kevin Pelton

15. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 34-33
  • Previous ranking: 15
  • Next games: vs. CLE (Mar. 19), vs. CHI (Mar. 20), vs. MIL (Mar. 22), vs. BOS (Mar. 24), vs. OKC (Mar. 25)

Domantas Sabonis’ return from a hamstring strain didn’t go as planned Monday against the Grizzlies. Sabonis left the game to get stitches over his left eye, returned and then rolled his ankle when he came down on Jaylen Wells’ foot in the third quarter. Despite Sabonis leaving for good after 12 minutes, the Kings did manage to snap their four-game losing streak. Because Sabonis played so little, the game didn’t count toward the minimum of 65 for awards eligibility, leaving him nine shy with 15 left to play. Sabonis was officially ruled out for at least 10 days Tuesday night with a right ankle sprain. – Pelton

16. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 32-37
  • Previous ranking: 19
  • Next games: vs. HOU (Mar. 19), @ WAS (Mar. 21), vs. LAL (Mar. 24), @ CHA (Mar. 25)

Sunday’s nationally televised win in Cleveland, snapping the Cavaliers’ 16-game win streak, looked like what the Magic hoped it could be. Orlando locked down Donovan Mitchell in a rematch of last year’s first-round seven-game series, holding him to 9-of-28 shooting, and got a key late 3-pointer from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Pending the play-in, the two teams are on track to meet again in the first round, albeit this time as the 1-8 matchup. It’s too late for the Magic to escape the play-in but they can still position themselves to advance by catching the Hawks for seventh. – Pelton

17. Atlanta Hawks

  • 2024-25 record: 33-36
  • Previous ranking: 17
  • Next games: vs. GS (Mar. 22), vs. PHI (Mar. 23), @ HOU (Mar. 25)

Dyson Daniels is set to surpass Ricky Rubio’s mark of 191 steals during the 2013-14 campaign to give the Hawks wing the most in the NBA in more than a decade. The Hawks, who have struggled defensively this season, will need Daniels to perform well on that end – and reduce the opponent’s air space on jumpers – given they would face either Cleveland or Boston’s offenses in the opening round, should the Hawks advance from the play-in. – Herring

18. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 32-37
  • Previous ranking: 16
  • Next games: vs. CHI (Mar. 19), vs. CLE (Mar. 21), vs. MIL (Mar. 24)

Phoenix has gone nearly two months without stringing together multiple wins in a row. The Suns’ last winning streak was three games from Jan. 22-27 and have gone just 8-16 since. There is still hope of backing into the play-in tournament, however. Phoenix trails the injury-riddled Mavericks by one game for the 10th and final play-in spot with 13 games to go. – McMenamin

19. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 33-36
  • Previous ranking: 18
  • Next games: @ IND (Mar. 19), vs. DET (Mar. 21), @ BKN (Mar. 24), @ NYK (Mar. 25)

Forward P.J. Washington impressed in his return Sunday after missing the previous two weeks due to a sprained ankle. Washington scored 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds in a home loss to the 76ers. He joins Klay Thompson as the only regular starters available for the injury-riddled Mavs. – MacMahon

20. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 29-39
  • Previous ranking: 20
  • Next games: vs. DET (Mar. 19), vs. HOU (Mar. 21), vs. CHA (Mar. 23), vs. GS (Mar. 25)

After Miami lost its eighth straight game Monday at New York – the longest losing streak of coach Erik Spoelstra’s career – he called this stretch one of the toughest regular-season periods. The Heat, who have been routed in their past two games, have been disastrous in the fourth quarter over the past few weeks, causing them to plummet to the 10th and final spot of the East play-in standings. – Bontemps

21. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 30-39
  • Previous ranking: 21
  • Next games: vs. MEM (Mar. 19), vs. DEN (Mar. 21), vs. BOS (Mar. 23), vs. CLE (Mar. 25)

After beating a pair of lottery-bound teams over the weekend, the Blazers are still in the play-in mix, three games behind the Mavericks and two behind the Suns for the No. 10 spot. To stay within striking distance, Portland may need to pull some key upsets over the remainder of this homestand, which features four of the NBA’s top eight teams: Boston, Cleveland, Denver and Memphis. The Blazers are a collective 1-6 against that group this season. – Pelton

22. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 29-39
  • Previous ranking: 23
  • Next games: @ PHX (Mar. 19), @ SAC (Mar. 20), @ LAL (Mar. 22), @ DEN (Mar. 24)

After spending the past 75 days in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls moved into ninth place, leapfrogging the fading Heat and putting themselves into position to host a play-in game. The Bulls have gone 6-4 in their past 10 games and entered Tuesday only three games back from the No. 7 seed Hawks. The end of Chicago’s season has suddenly shifted from draft pick positioning into a potential run for seeding in the play-in tournament. – Collier

23. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record: 28-39
  • Previous ranking: 22
  • Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 19), vs. PHI (Mar. 21), @ TOR (Mar. 23), @ DET (Mar. 25)

With the club shutting down De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama for the season, the spotlight shines brightly on Rookie of the Year candidate Stephon Castle, who averaged 22 points over his past three games. The Spurs say they’re playing to win, but they remain out of serious contention for a berth in the play-in tournament in the West – 13th in the standings. Maybe now is the time for San Antonio to experiment with younger players and more creative lineups with an eye toward a future headlined by Fox and Wembanyama and perhaps another key contributor who will be added in free agency or the draft. – Wright

24. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 24-45
  • Previous ranking: 26
  • Next games: @ GS (Mar. 20), vs. SA (Mar. 23), @ WAS (Mar. 24)

The Raptors have passed the Nets and 76ers in the standings in recent days thanks to an easy schedule and could even surpass the Spurs in the coming weeks. This might limit Toronto’s chances of another high-end prospect to their young core in the upcoming draft. – Bontemps

25. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 23-45
  • Previous ranking: 24
  • Next games: @ OKC (Mar. 19), @ SA (Mar. 21), @ ATL (Mar. 23), @ NO (Mar. 24)

The Sixers have nothing but ping-pong balls left to play for but Quentin Grimes has been a bright spot for the team after they shut down Paul George for the season. Grimes, who is a pending restricted free agent, who came over from Dallas in a trade last month, has scored at least 25 points in his past five games – including a 46-point explosion in Monday’s thrilling overtime loss to Houston. – Bontemps

26. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 23-46
  • Previous ranking: 25
  • Next games: @ IND (Mar. 20), @ IND (Mar. 22), vs. DAL (Mar. 24)

Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer at 24 points per game, is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a strained left hamstring. But the 23-year-old, a restricted free agent this summer, feels he’s earned tenure in Brooklyn. “When I got major minutes, I feel like I’ve been one of the best guards in the league at my position,” he told reporters when asked about the potential of being a core Nets performer. “When I have the minutes and a featured role, the sky’s the limit for me.” – Herring

27. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 18-51
  • Previous ranking: 27
  • Next games: @ MIN (Mar. 19), @ MIN (Mar. 21), @ DET (Mar. 23), vs. PHI (Mar. 24)

The Pelicans announced Tuesday that Trey Murphy III has been diagnosed with a torn right labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in that shoulder. The latest setback highlights just how injury-riddled the Pelicans have been this season, and there’s a real possibility the club could start next season without a couple of its top players. Despite New Orleans losing seven of its past eight, Zion Williamson is on a tear, averaging astronomical numbers since his return despite being on a minutes restriction. – Wright

28. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 17-51
  • Previous ranking: 28
  • Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 20), @ OKC (Mar. 21), @ MIA (Mar. 23), vs. ORL (Mar. 25)

Among the biggest lottery dramas is whether the Hornets will stay in the bottom three of the NBA standings. Charlotte’s essentially neck and neck with New Orleans for the league’s third-worst record, which will qualify either team for the best lottery odds of landing the top pick. Last week highlighted the challenge: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green and Nick Smith Jr. combined to shoot 19-for-27 from 3 in a win over the Spurs. Meanwhile, other clubs like Utah are beginning to get more creative with benching key players for long stretches to boost their lottery chances. – Herring

29. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 15-52
  • Previous ranking: 30
  • Next games: @ UTAH (Mar. 19), vs. ORL (Mar. 21), @ NYK (Mar. 22), vs. TOR (Mar. 24)

The Wizards have played perhaps their best basketball of the season in March. They’ve won four of their past seven games, including consecutive victories at Detroit and Denver. Wednesday’s game at Utah, though, will serve as a reminder of their lottery goals for the No. 1 pick. Both teams are tied at the bottom of the league with 15 wins, and Utah has lost 10 straight games. – Youngmisuk

30. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 15-52
  • Previous ranking: 29
  • Next games: vs. WAS (Mar. 19), vs. BOS (Mar. 21), vs. CLE (Mar. 23), vs. MEM (Mar. 25)

As the Jazz place a heavy emphasis on player development, third-year center Walker Kessler has been given the green light to fire away from 3-point range recently. The 7-footer had attempted only six 3s all season before the losses to the Timberwolves and Bulls earlier this week and is 1-of-11 from beyond the arc in the Jazz’s past two games. – MacMahon

By NBA insiders | ESPN, via ESPN