By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-03-23 13:57:40
每周一，我们都会为您梳理NBA的最新动态。本周，又一次重伤让“65场规定”成为了众矢之的。这足以让联盟废除这项规定吗？此外，随着常规赛仅剩三周，季后赛排位可能会发生剧烈变动。
我们还准备了“NBA红黑榜”的扩展版，这是《The Bounce》周一栏目的核心内容。那是我们的免费NBA新闻通讯，您可以点击订阅，每天在收件箱中接收最新资讯。
头条新闻：65场规定给NBA施压
几周前，网上曾有一场讨论，焦点在于尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 和谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 是否会因缺赛超过限制而无缘NBA的65场门槛，以及凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 是否会因此“捡漏”赢得MVP。这是一种糟糕的思维方式，因为我们绝不应该让主要奖项的得主通过“默认”的方式产生。这种思考过程或对话未必是参与者的错，而是这种糟糕的制度滋生了如此荒谬的前提。
有趣的是，坎宁安现在正处于这种思维过程的另一端。他上周遭遇了气胸（肺部萎陷），这让他出战65场比赛的前景变得岌岌可危。坎宁安理应出现在MVP选票和最佳阵容第一阵容中。他持续进步，并带领底特律活塞队升至东部第一，同时也拥有NBA最佳战绩之一。然而，除非他为了凑齐最后5场达标比赛而匆忙复出，否则我们无法在这些重大奖项中为他投票。
我们到底在做什么？虽然这项政策初衷是向转播商和观众保证球员不会为了轮休或“负荷管理”而缺席全美直播的比赛，但它只会让NBA贬值，并忽略了联盟一直未能妥善讨论的实践中的真实问题。负荷管理始终是球队为了保护资产、最大化季后赛获胜机会而采取的手段，极少是因为球员本身不想上班。
那些患有慢性膝盖问题或曾遭遇缩短甚至威胁职业生涯重伤的球员，被贴上了“负荷管理”的标签，而人们对此深信不疑，因为这是一个很容易发泄不满的话题。通过允许负荷管理成为不同时代冲突研究的主题和谈资，联盟通过制定这样一项政策将自己逼入了死角。或者我们应该说，是联盟觉得自己需要这样一项政策。
联盟需要废除65场规定。我们不需要微调，我们需要彻底废除。联盟永远不应该建立一个激励球员在伤愈前匆忙复出，只为了获得评奖资格和合同奖金的系统。也许这项政策背后的理论有其可取之处，但在实施几年后的应用情况足以给出一个定论：它就是垃圾。
还有其他方法可以让转播合作伙伴安心。而将此与赛季末奖项挂钩，从一开始就是对投票过程的误解。球员的出勤率或缺勤情况一直都在投票考虑范围内。有时你会看到比尔·沃顿 (Bill Walton) 在仅出战56场的情况下赢得MVP，或者鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 凭借58场比赛获得最佳防守球员——但这并非常态。
出勤率绝对应该是一个考量因素，但不应成为一条死板的红线。坎宁安、文班亚马、约基奇和谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大绝对值得进入MVP选票，也是最佳阵容第一阵容的稳健人选，哪怕他们本赛季最终只能打到63场左右。如果NBA像对待多年前那个奇怪的复合材料篮球一样对待这项政策，让它消失并假装从未发生过，没人会有意见。事实上，这反而会让NBA因信任自己的产品而显得更加强大。
NBA红黑榜（扩展版）
俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (56胜15负)。 不知不觉间，雷霆已经取得了11连胜。这是他们本赛季至今第二长的连胜纪录。雷霆需要赢下接下来的五场比赛（客场挑战费城和波士顿，然后主场对阵芝加哥、纽约和底特律），才能追平他们在NBA杯半决赛前取得的16连胜。在目前的11连胜期间，他们的净效率（+9.8）仅为那次16连胜期间（+20.3）的一半左右。尽管如此，雷霆依然提醒了所有人，他们能够且确实拥有极强的统治力。
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大和雷霆再次开启了两位数的连胜之旅。(William Purnell / Getty Images)
防守端的卓越表现是这次连胜的动力。他们的进攻效率（第18）、有效投篮命中率（第22）和真实命中率（第17）并不出彩。然而，他们的对手有效命中率（第1）、对手罚球率（第5）、对手失误率（第6）和防守篮板率（第9）都名列前茅。这次连胜始于谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大因腹部拉伤长期缺阵后的回归。事实证明，只要他上场，他们就很强。
奥兰多魔术 (38胜32负)。 一周前，我们还在惊叹魔术队似乎终于兑现了大家在赛季初对他们的期待。他们当时取得了七连胜，并在上周一与亚特兰大老鹰队展开了一场焦点战。自那以后，魔术队一场未赢。他们被老鹰队压制，被俄克拉荷马城锁死，在夏洛特被打爆，然后又输给了凭借卢克·肯纳德绝杀赢球的洛杉矶湖人队。奥兰多本可以稳居东部前六，结果却跌到了第八。
这波四连败的问题在于球队在进攻端依然挣扎。诚然，魔术面对的是四支目前防守呈上升趋势的球队，但他们在这些比赛中的有效投篮命中率仅为49.5%。这显然是行不通的。他们的防守也陷入了困境，无法阻止对方走上罚球线，也无法阻止对方抢下二次进攻篮板。虽然其中一部分原因可能是努力程度或战术理解问题，但防守本应是他们的立身之本。那是他们的身份标签。如果进攻端持续如此低迷，他们的防守也无法支撑长久。简单但真实的分析是：他们真的需要把球投进。
洛杉矶湖人 (46胜25负)。 湖人已经取得了九连胜，让人们相信他们可能已经找到了一切问题的答案。最近的四场胜利都发生在客场，且对手都是强队。战胜火箭（两次）、热火和魔术证明了他们不只是会欺负弱旅，这波连胜也让洛杉矶本赛季对阵胜率五成及以上球队的战绩提升到了19胜18负。湖人已经连续七场战胜非弱旅球队，他们将在周一对阵（失去坎宁安的）活塞时有机会延续这一势头。
他们的进攻火力全开：有效命中率排名第二，罚球率排名第四，失误率排名第九。目前唯一表现不佳的进攻指标是进攻篮板，但当你投出58.1%的有效命中率时，这并不是优先考虑的事。篮板球实际上是这波连胜中的一个隐忧，因为他们让对手抢到了联盟较高的进攻篮板率。然而，湖人没有给对手太多罚球机会，并且迫使对方出现了大量失误。也许这一切都是货真价实的，并且能够转化到季后赛中？
迈阿密热火 (38胜33负)。 热火已经遭遇四连败。也许这是佛罗里达州球队的共同问题。迈阿密在这次连败之前的连胜期间遇到了很多弱旅，但你只能根据赛程打球。令人沮丧的是，更艰难的赛程带来了四场失利。他们输给了奥兰多、夏洛特、湖人和休斯顿。好消息是，只有对阵夏洛特的比赛是惨败，而且那也是直到最后一节才拉开分差。对阵魔术和火箭的比赛本可以有不同的结果，他们也有机会拿下湖人。
热火在控制失误方面做得很好，并且能制造罚球。但他们投不进球，更令人担忧的是，他们无法阻止任何人进球，并且不断对对手犯规。他们在其中一场比赛中让卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 砍下了60分。而在另一场比赛中，拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 统治了他们。热火本赛季在对阵强队时一直表现挣扎，面对非弱旅球队的战绩仅为16胜25负。
纽约尼克斯 (47胜25负)。 东部最火热的球队，目前六连胜。诚然，这些胜利并非来自最艰难的赛程。尼克斯进入了赛程中的“摆烂区”，并充分利用了这一点。他们击败了爵士、两次击败步行者、击败了没有斯蒂芬·库里的勇士、篮网和奇才。令人惊讶的是，他们险胜篮网，并且在对阵勇士时也打得异常艰难。尽管如此，在积分榜上，所有的胜利都是平等的。如果尼克斯想要追赶波士顿的排名（详见下文），他们必须利用好这段赛程。
杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 和米卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 目前投篮手感不佳，但这并没有伤害到球队。他们已经可以开始让球员轮流休息，以管理出场时间和休息时间。从现在开始，一切都是为了精益求精，并设法争夺二号种子以防万一。尼克斯在攻防两端都是一支非常出色的关键时刻球队。即便经历了这段轻松赛程，尼克斯剩余的赛程依然是全联盟最难的之一。虽然他们将面临考验，并必须在最后几周决定优先级，但他们目前处于非常有利的位置。
菲尼克斯太阳 (40胜32负)。 太阳曾有大好机会向西部前六发起冲击。然后……他们遭遇了五连败。他们仍在应对阵容进进出出的问题，但太阳确实陷入了困境，接连在客场输给多伦多、波士顿、明尼苏达、圣安东尼奥，并在主场输给密尔沃基。太阳在周日通过主场大胜多伦多终结了连败。然而，他们基本上已经把自己锁死在附加赛区了。
太阳现在落后明尼苏达4个胜场，而比赛只剩10场。这需要一支球队遭遇雪崩式的下滑，同时太阳迎来爆发，才有可能进入前六。这不太可能发生。他们必须找到一种产生更稳定进攻的方法。我不在乎狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks) 的赛季表现有多好；你的进攻不能建立在他是否在场的基础上。他们本赛季曾是一个有趣的故事，但菲尼克斯需要振作起来，以免这个故事无疾而终。
摆烂。 各位，摆烂大军最近一个月表现优异。奇才和步行者都遭遇了16连败。还是同时发生的！奇才距离步行者仅差一个胜场，但印第安纳绝不让步。奇才和步行者都在努力保住自己的选票。如果步行者的选票落在第5到第9顺位之间，它将因为伊维察·祖巴茨 (Ivica Zubac) 的交易而归属洛杉矶快船。顺便说一句，快船在祖巴茨出场118分钟后，因其肋骨受伤已将其关停。奇才也有自己的伤病烦恼，安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 和特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 看起来本赛季都不会再上场了。太令人震惊了！奇才的选票不能跌出前八，否则就归尼克斯。他们几乎已经保证能在今年夏天保住这张选票了。
未来一周：季后赛争夺战
常规赛还剩三周，排名可能会发生很大变化。让我们来看看未来一周会发生什么。在过去几周的预测中，我们一直在想雄鹿什么时候会“缴械投降”。看起来这种投降已经发生了，所以我们这里就不再研究他们的赛程了：
东部2-4名种子位：
- 波士顿 (47-24)：对阵雷霆、对阵老鹰、客场挑战黄蜂
- 纽约 (47-25)：对阵鹈鹕、客场挑战黄蜂、客场挑战雷霆
- 克利夫兰 (44-27)：对阵魔术、对阵热火、对阵热火
对于尼克斯和凯尔特人来说，这是关键的一周，他们正在争夺东部第二，目前差距仅为半个胜场。凯尔特人有三个强劲的对手，没有可以轻松刷战绩的比赛。尼克斯先打鹈鹕以寻求追平波士顿，但随后也将面对夏洛特和俄克拉荷马城。这两支球队对下一周的排名走势有很大发言权。克利夫兰目前落后较多，还不足以让前两名感到紧张，但骑士本周也将面对陷入挣扎的热火和魔术。
拉梅洛·鲍尔能否带领球队在东部排名中继续攀升？ (Brian Westerholt / Imagn Images)
东部5-10名种子位：
- 多伦多 (39-31)：客场挑战爵士、客场挑战快船、对阵鹈鹕、对阵魔术
- 亚特兰大 (39-32)：对阵灰熊、客场挑战活塞、客场挑战凯尔特人、对阵国王
- 费城 (39-32)：对阵雷霆、对阵公牛、客场挑战黄蜂
- 奥兰多 (38-32)：对阵步行者、客场挑战骑士、对阵国王、客场挑战猛龙
- 迈阿密 (38-33)：对阵马刺、客场挑战骑士、客场挑战骑士、客场挑战步行者
- 夏洛特 (37-34)：对阵国王、对阵尼克斯、对阵六人、对阵凯尔特人
东部第5到第10名之间仅差2.5个胜场，因此接下来的所有比赛都至关重要。猛龙的赛程相对轻松，这取决于魔术是否能重回正轨。老鹰有两场非常有利的比赛，中间夹着活塞和凯尔特人。费城距离第五仅差半个胜场，而六人将面对黄蜂和马刺。迈阿密和夏洛特非常想向上爬，但他们的赛程让这变得并非易事。最终，这六支球队将在赛季剩余时间里展开一场大乱斗。
西部联盟1-2名种子位：
- 俄克拉荷马城 (56-15)：客场挑战六人、客场挑战凯尔特人、对阵公牛、对阵尼克斯
- 圣安东尼奥 (53-18)：客场挑战热火、客场挑战灰熊、客场挑战雄鹿
雷霆领先马刺3个胜场，排名西部第一，位置相对稳固。但如果排名发生变动，那一定是由于本周马刺与雷霆赛程难度的差异。除了对阵公牛的比赛外，雷霆的赛程非常艰难。而马刺除了对阵热火外，赛程相对轻松。当然，任何变动的前提是雷霆真的会输球。
西部联盟3-7名种子位：
- 湖人 (46-25)：客场挑战活塞、客场挑战步行者、对阵篮网
- 休斯顿 (43-27)：客场挑战公牛、客场挑战森林狼、客场挑战灰熊、客场挑战鹈鹕
- 丹佛 (44-28)：客场挑战太阳、对阵独行侠、对阵爵士、对阵勇士
- 明尼苏达 (44-28)：对阵火箭、对阵活塞
- 菲尼克斯 (40-32)：对阵掘金、对阵爵士
本周的赛程很奇怪，森林狼和太阳都只打两场比赛，而且森林狼有两个非常难对付的对手（即便坎宁安缺阵）。这些防守型球队会让森林狼感到头疼，尤其是当他们失去安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 时。湖人有极好的机会将连胜扩大到12场，并继续巩固他们三号种子的领先优势。休斯顿必须在这段赛程中至少打出3胜1负，但他们的专注度一直不是最好的。如果休斯顿有任何闪失，丹佛很容易打出4胜0负并发现自己坐上了四号种子的驾驶位。太阳一直打得很糟糕，没有机会真正拉近距离以跳出附加赛区。
西部联盟8-10名排位：
- 快船 (35-36)：对阵雄鹿、对阵猛龙、客场挑战步行者、客场挑战雄鹿
- 波特兰 (35-37)：对阵篮网、对阵雄鹿、对阵独行侠、对阵奇才
- 金州 (33-38)：客场挑战独行侠、对阵篮网、对阵奇才、客场挑战掘金
开拓者距离升至西部第八仅差半个胜场。这将让他们在通过附加赛进入季后赛的过程中获得额外的一次机会。他们本周拥有完美的赛程来继续前进。事实上，他们本周没有任何理由不把胜率提升到50%以上。快船的赛程也相对轻松，尤其是现在雄鹿看起来并不怎么想赢球。勇士也将面对几支摆烂球队，但丹佛在周末虎视眈眈。
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。
点击查看原文：As NBA playoff races heat up, we're still thinking about that 65-game rule
As NBA playoff races heat up, we’re still thinking about that 65-game rule
Every Monday, we catch you up on the happenings in the NBA. This week, another big injury has the 65-game rule under fire. Is this enough for the league to get rid of it? Also, a lot of playoff movement could happen with just three weeks left in the regular season.
We also have the extended version of the NBA Stock Report, a Monday staple in The Bounce. That’s our free NBA newsletter that you can sign up for and receive every day in your inbox.
The Big Story: 65-game rule puts pressure on NBA
A few weeks ago, there was an online discussion about whether Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would miss the NBA’s 65-game cutoff, and whether Cade Cunningham might win MVP. That was a terrible way of thinking, because we should never end up with a major award winner by default. The thought process/conversation wasn’t necessarily the fault of the people having it. It’s a bad system that breeds such foolish premises.
Interestingly, Cunningham is on the opposite end of that thought process now. He suffered a collapsed lung last week, putting his chances of playing 65 games in jeopardy. Cunningham deserves to be both on the MVP ballot and the All-NBA First Team. He’s continued to get better and has led the Detroit Pistons to first place in the Eastern Conference and one of the best records in the NBA. However, we won’t get to vote for him in these major awards unless he rushes his way back to the court to complete the final five games he’d need to qualify for those honors.
What are we doing here? While the policy was an effort to reassure broadcasters and viewers that players would not rest or have load management take them out of nationally televised games, it has only cheapened the NBA and ignored the real issue with the practice that the league has so poorly discussed. Load management has always been about the teams trying to protect their assets and maximize their chances for winning in the postseason. It’s rarely been the case of whether players actually want to participate in their jobs.
Guys with chronic knee problems or bad injuries that shortened or even jeopardized their careers got slapped with the “load management” scarlet letter, and people ran with it because it was an easy thing to rant about. By allowing load management to become a subject of conflicting studies from era to era and a talking point, the league backed itself into a corner by needing such a policy. Or maybe we should say feeling like it needs such a policy.
The league needs to get rid of the 65-game rule. We don’t need tweaks. We need abolition. The league should never set up a system that incentivizes players to rush back from injury to qualify for honors and contract boosts. Maybe the theory behind such a policy had merit, but its application after a couple of years makes for a pretty conclusive judgment: It’s garbage.
There are other ways to put broadcast partners at ease. And tying this to end-of-season awards was a misunderstanding of the voting process in the first place. Players’ availability or lack thereof was always considered in voting. Sometimes you’d get Bill Walton winning MVP with 56 games played or Rudy Gobert getting Defensive Player of the Year with 58 games — but it wasn’t the norm.
Availability should absolutely be a consideration, but it shouldn’t be a hard-and-fast line in the sand. Cunningham, Wemby, Jokić and SGA are definitely MVP ballot-worthy and All-NBA First Team locks, even if they only manage to get to 63 games or whatever this season. Nobody will have a problem if the NBA treats this policy like that weird composite ball from years ago, and it has it go away as we pretend it never happened. In fact, it will make the NBA look stronger for believing in its product.
NBA Stock Report Extended
Oklahoma City Thunder (56-15). Don’t look now, but the Thunder have won 11 straight games. It’s the second-longest winning streak of their season so far. The Thunder would have to win their next five games (at Philadelphia, at Boston, and then versus Chicago, New York and Detroit) to tie the 16-game streak they had heading into their NBA Cup semifinal. Their net rating during this current 11-win streak (plus-9.8) is only about half as dominant as their 16-game streak (plus-20.3). Still, the Thunder have reminded everybody of just how dominant they can be and are.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are once again on a double-digit winning streak. (William Purnell / Getty Images)
Defensive excellence is fueling this current streak. Their offensive rating (18th), effective field goal percentage (22nd) and true shooting percentages (17th) are nothing to brag about. However, their opponent eFG (first), opponent free-throw rate (fifth), opponent turnover rate (sixth) and defensive rebounding rate (ninth) are all thriving. This streak began when Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an extended absence due to an abdominal strain. Turns out, they’re pretty good when he plays.
Orlando Magic (38-32). A week ago, we were marveling at how the Magic looked like they were finally realizing the potential everybody assumed they had entering this season. They’d won seven in a row and had a big showdown against the Atlanta Hawks last Monday. Since then, the Magic haven’t won a game. They got handled by the Hawks, shut down by OKC, fried in Charlotte and then beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers on Luke Kennard’s game-winner. Orlando could have planted itself in the top six in the Eastern Conference and instead has fallen to eighth.
The problem during this four-game losing streak is that this team continues to struggle on offense. Granted, the Magic played four defenses that are currently on the upswing, but they also had a 49.5 percent effective field goal percentage in those four games. That’s just not workable. Their defense has struggled too, not keeping teams off the free-throw line or from getting second-chance points. While some of that might be effort or scheme confusion, their defense is supposed to carry them. That’s their identity. It won’t have a shot at succeeding long term if the offense remains this putrid. Simple but true analysis: They really need to make shots.
Los Angeles Lakers (46-25). The Lakers have won nine straight games and have people believing they may have figured it all out. The last four wins have all happened on the road against good teams. Wins over the Rockets (twice), Heat and Magic have proven they don’t just beat up on bad teams, and this streak has pushed L.A. to 19-18 on the season against .500 or better teams. The Lakers have run off seven straight victories against non-losing teams, and they’ll get a chance to push that against the Pistons (sans Cunningham) on Monday.
Their offense is clicking big time: second-best eFG, fourth in free-throw rate and ninth in turnover rate. The only offensive category they’re not shining in right now is offensive rebounding, which isn’t such a priority when you’re knocking down a 58.1 percent eFG. Rebounding has actually been an issue in this streak because they’re giving up one of the higher offensive rebounding rates in the league. However, the Lakers aren’t putting teams on the free-throw line, and they’re forcing a lot of turnovers. Maybe this is all legitimate and something that translates to the postseason?
Miami Heat (38-33). The Heat have dropped four straight. Maybe it’s a Florida thing. Miami’s win streak just before this skid featured many easy opponents, but you can only play who is on the schedule. Maybe it’s a little disheartening that a tougher schedule brought about four losses. They dropped games to Orlando, Charlotte, the Lakers and Houston. The good news is that only the loss to Charlotte was a blowout, and that didn’t really happen until the final quarter or so. The games against the Magic and Rockets could have gone either way, and they had a chance to take down the Lakers, too.
The Heat have done a great job not turning the ball over, and they’re getting to the free-throw line. They can’t make shots, but more alarmingly, they can’t stop anybody from making shots, and they kept fouling teams. They gave up 60 points to Luka Dončić in one of the games. And LaMelo Ball dominated them in another game. Miami has struggled against good teams all season, going 16-25 when facing non-losing teams.
New York Knicks (47-25). The hottest team in the East with six straight victories. Granted, these victories have not exactly come against the toughest schedule. The Knicks hit the tanking stretch of their schedule, and they’re taking advantage of it. They beat the Jazz, the Pacers twice, the Warriors without Steph Curry, the Nets and the Wizards. Shockingly, they barely beat the Nets, and they struggled to put away the Warriors. Still, all wins count the same in the standings. The Knicks need to take advantage of a stretch like this if they’re going to think about catching Boston in the standings (more below).
Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges are struggling to make shots right now, but it hasn’t hurt them. They’ve been able to sit a guy here and there to start managing minutes and time off. Everything from here is fine-tuning and finding a way to the No. 2 seed just in case. The Knicks are a great clutch team on both ends of the floor. Even with this easy stretch, the Knicks have one of the toughest remaining schedules. While they will be tested, and they’ll have to decide what the priority is in the final weeks, they’re back in a really good spot.
Phoenix Suns (40-32). The Suns had a great opportunity to put pressure on in pursuit of the West’s top six. Then … they lost five straight games. They’re still dealing with guys in and out of the lineup, but the Suns really hit a rough spot by losing at Toronto, at Boston, at Minnesota, at San Antonio and at home to Milwaukee. The Suns snapped the losing streak Sunday by blowing out Toronto at home. However, they’ve pretty much locked themselves into the Play-In Tournament.
The Suns are now four games behind Minnesota with 10 to play. It would take a massive cratering by one team and a surge by the Suns to get into the top six. That’s not happening. They have to find a way to generate more consistent offense. I don’t care how good a season Dillon Brooks had; your offense can’t be based on whether or not he’s in the lineup. They’ve been such a fun story this season, but Phoenix needs to get it together to avoid it fizzling out.
Tanking. Folks, tanking is having a great month or so. The Wizards and Pacers have both lost 16 straight games. At the same time! The Wizards are within a game of the Pacers, but Indiana will not budge. The Wizards and Pacers are both trying to protect their picks. If the Pacers’ pick falls between fifth and ninth, it goes to the LA Clippers because of the Ivica Zubac trade. By the way, they’ve shut down Zubac after 118 minutes on the court with a rib injury. The Wizards are having their own injury woes with Anthony Davis and Trae Young looking like they might not play again this season. It’s shocking! The Wizards can’t have their pick fall beyond the top eight, or it goes to the Knicks. They’ve pretty much all but guaranteed they’ll keep that pick this summer.
Week Ahead: Playoff Race
We have three weeks left in the season, and a lot can change in the standings. Let’s take a look at the upcoming week and what might happen. In the last couple of weeks of doing this, we’ve wondered when the Bucks might tap out. It looks like that tapping happened, so we won’t peruse their schedule here:
East 2-4 seeding:
- Boston (47-24): versus Thunder, versus Hawks, at Hornets
- New York (47-25): versus Pelicans, at Hornets, at Thunder
- Cleveland (44-27): versus Magic, versus Heat, versus Heat
Massive week for the Knicks and Celtics as they battle for second in the East with just a half-game separating them. The Celtics have three tough opponents. No games to boost the record. The Knicks get the Pelicans to even things up with Boston, but then they’ll also face Charlotte and OKC. Those two teams will have a good say in how things look heading into the following week. Cleveland is still too far back to really make them feel nervous, but the Cavs also get Miami and Orlando all week as they’ve been struggling to win.
Can LaMelo Ball continue to climb up the East standings? (Brian Westerholt / Imagn Images)
East 5-10 seeding:
- Toronto (39-31): at Jazz, at Clippers, versus Pelicans, versus Magic
- Atlanta (39-32): versus Grizzlies, at Pistons, at Celtics, versus Kings
- Philadelphia (39-32): versus Thunder, versus Bulls, at Hornets
- Orlando (38-32): versus Pacers, at Cavs, versus Kings, at Raptors
- Miami (38-33): versus Spurs, at Cavs, at Cavs, at Pacers
- Charlotte (37-34): versus Kings, versus Knicks, versus Sixers, versus Celtics
Only 2 1/2 games separate fifth and 10th in the East, so all of these upcoming games are super important. The Raptors do have a bit of an easy go, depending on whether the Magic get back on track. The Hawks get two very favorable games with the Pistons and Celtics sandwiched in between them. Philadelphia is just a half-game from fifth, but the Sixers get the Hornets and Spurs. Miami and Charlotte really want to move up, but their schedules do not make that an easy task. Ultimately, we’re going to have a battle royal with these six teams the rest of the campaign.
Western Conference 1-2 seeding:
- Oklahoma City (56-15): at Sixers, at Celtics, versus Bulls, versus Knicks
- San Antonio (53-18): at Heat, at Grizzlies, at Bucks
The Thunder have a decently comfortable three-game lead over the Spurs for the No. 1 seed in the West, but if there is going to be some movement, it would be because of the Spurs’ schedule versus the Thunder’s schedule this week. OKC has a very tough slate outside of the Bulls game. The Spurs have an easy schedule outside of maybe the Heat game. Of course, any movement is contingent on the Thunder actually losing a game.
Western Conference 3-7 seeding:
- Lakers (46-25): at Pistons, at Pacers, versus Nets
- Houston (43-27): at Bulls, at Wolves, at Grizzlies, at Pelicans
- Denver (44-28): at Suns, versus Mavs, versus Jazz, versus Warriors
- Minnesota (44-28): versus Rockets, versus Pistons
- Phoenix (40-32): versus Nuggets, versus Jazz
Odd week with the Wolves and Suns both playing just two games, and the Wolves have two very difficult opponents (even with Cunningham sidelined). Those are the types of defensive squads that can give them fits, especially when they’re without Anthony Edwards. The Lakers have a real chance to push this win streak to 12 and keep growing their lead for the No. 3 seed. Houston has to put together a minimum of a 3-1 week with this schedule, but its focus hasn’t been the best. Denver could easily go 4-0 and find itself in the driver’s seat for the fourth seed if Houston stumbles at all. The Suns have been playing terribly and don’t get a chance to really move closer to leapfrogging out of the Play-In.
Western Conference 8-10 positioning:
- Clippers (35-36): versus Bucks, versus Raptors, at Pacers, at Bucks
- Portland (35-37): versus Nets, versus Bucks, versus Mavs, versus Wizards
- Golden State (33-38): at Mavs, versus Nets, versus Wizards, at Nuggets
The Blazers are just a half-game away from moving up to eighth in the West. That would give them an extra shot at making the playoffs via the Play-In. And they have the perfect schedule this week to keep moving. In fact, there’s no excuse for them not to rise above .500 this week. The Clippers have a fairly easy schedule, too, especially now that Milwaukee isn’t looking to try to win much. The Warriors also play a few tanking teams, but Denver is looming at the end of the week.
By Zach Harper, via The Athletic