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All-Star Weekend means we don’t have a ton of games to influence the Power Rankings. Teams only played, at the most, a couple games last week as everybody prepared to party in Indianapolis or on a beach.
But the weekend gives us the opportunity to check up on the quarter-by-quarter flow we looked at 11 weeks ago and gauge how teams have progressed or regressed since then. We’ve seen teams really turn things around or completely fall apart. How is each team doing in each period, including clutch time? We’ll update you this week and provide 30 flawless rankings, as per usual.
Reminder: The Power Rankings don’t just rank the 30 teams. We divide these teams into tiers, which teams can move in and out of. We currently have the tiers broken into seven new categories:
- Incomprehensibly bad – These guys are historically inept right now.
- Not tanking but maybe someday — They haven’t started tanking yet, but it’s on the table this season.
- Looking to make the Play-In — They’ve been rebuilding/retooling and think they can crack the top 10 in their respective conference.
- Play-In Tournament teams or better — They should be in the mix unless something disastrous happens.
- Playoff teams — Probably don’t have to worry about dropping down to the Play-In Tournament.
- On the brink of contention — A piece away from us believing they can win the title.
- Contenders — They are contending for the championship, barring a massive injury.
As always, I am sure we will all agree on the placement of all 30 teams, especially your favorite team.
Here’s how the Power Rankings work:
- It’s up to my discretion how the rankings shake out. For some teams, they’ll be hit in the short term. Others will be given the benefit for the long term. Yes, it is entirely subjective.
- If I have a team ahead of another team, there’s no reason to ask why they’re ranked above the team you like. The answer is pretty simple: I think that team is set up better for success.
- Yes, I watch the games. And yes, I watch your favorite team.
- This is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun.
With all that said, let’s dive into Week 18 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings.
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Tier 1 – The Contenders
First quarter: +16.7 net rating (ranked first) | Previously +25.1 (first)
Second quarter: +13.2 net rating (ranked first) | Previously +10.6 (sixth)
Third quarter: +4.8 net rating (ranked 11th) | Previously -2.4 (22nd – tied)
Fourth quarter: +6.5 net rating (ranked third) | Previously +2.2 (12th)
Clutch: +23.4 net rating (ranked second) | 26 games (18-8) | Previously +11.6 (12th)
Takeaway: Let’s put their dominance into perspective. If you took the Celtics’ third- or fourth-quarter net ratings and extrapolated it over the entire season, they’d be the sixth- and fourth-most dominant team in the league. Those are their worst quarters! What’s crazy for the Celtics is, unless you’re a Boston fan, this team has been boringly dominant. It puts games away by halftime without a true comeback in sight.
Offensive Rating
120.8 (1st)
Defensive Rating
110.5 (3rd)
Eastern
Tier 1 – The Contenders
First quarter: +10.5 net rating (ranked fourth) | Previously -1.0 (17th)
Second quarter: +1.4 net rating (ranked 12th tied) | Previously +11.8 (fifth)
Third quarter: +14.4 net rating (ranked first) | Previously +13.0 (second)
Fourth quarter: +2.7 net rating (ranked 12th) | Previously +1.7 (15th)
Clutch: -6.9 net rating (ranked 22nd) | 23 games (14-9) | Previously +23.1 (fourth)
Takeaway: I think Mark Daigneault is the clubhouse leader for Coach of the Year, but look at how the Wolves play coming out of halftime. It’s by far their best defensive quarter, and the Thunder make the best halftime adjustments in the NBA and dominate the third period to put opponents at a massive disadvantage. There is concern about how they are in close games due to turnovers and clunky offense, but we could also see Anthony Edwards just become a crunchtime monster at some point soon.
Offensive Rating
115.2 (17th)
Defensive Rating
108.2 (1st)
Western
Tier 1 – The Contenders
First quarter: +4.0 net rating (ranked 11th) | Previously +7.8 (seventh)
Second quarter: +8.8 net rating (ranked fourth) | Previously -4.5 (19th)
Third quarter: +5.4 net rating (ranked ninth) | Previously +12.2 (third)
Fourth quarter: +3.9 net rating (ranked sixth) | Previously -2.0 (20th)
Clutch: +20.7 net rating (ranked sixth) | 26 games (15-11) | Previously -16.9 (24th)
Takeaway: The clutch stats – mostly their record – are a little misleading here, so I want to concentrate on that. The Clippers actually became monsters in the clutch since the last time we checked in. At the time, they were getting trounced in those situations and just 3-8 in games triggering the clutch stuff. Since we checked in Week 7 for this, the Clippers are 12-3 with a plus-59.4 net rating in the clutch. That’s beyond dominant.
Offensive Rating
119.7 (3rd)
Defensive Rating
114.3 (13th)
Western
Tier 1 – The Contenders
First quarter: +7.3 net rating (ranked fifth) | Previously +13.8 (third)
Second quarter: +5.3 net rating (ranked tenth) | Previously +7.9 (seventh)
Third quarter: +12.3 net rating (ranked third) | Previously +6.3 (sixth)
Fourth quarter: +2.9 net rating (ranked 11th) | Previously +3.7 (tenth)
Clutch: +16.1 net rating (ranked eighth) | 27 games (16-11) | Previously +25.2 (second)
Takeaway: Much like the Wolves above, the Thunder do a tremendous job coming out of halftime and dominating opponents. They’re really good in the first half before putting you away in the third quarter, during which they have the NBA’s third-best offense and the third-best defense. Let’s say you do manage to reach a crunchtime situation against them — you’re not just trying to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jalen Williams is also a reliable go-to guy.
Offensive Rating
119.2 (4th)
Defensive Rating
111.9 (4th)
Western
Tier 1 – The Contenders
First quarter: +12.7 net rating (ranked second) | Previously +16.4 (second)
Second quarter: -5.7 net rating (ranked 24th) | Previously -8.1 (24th)
Third quarter: +5.1 net rating (ranked tenth) | Previously +3.8 (tenth)
Fourth quarter: +1.4 net rating (ranked 14th) | Previously +6.7 (seventh)
Clutch: +20.9 net rating (ranked fifth) | 28 games (18-10) | Previously +9.6 (13th)
Takeaway: How the Nuggets have approached this season has been perfect for a defending champion, which we see in the quarter flow. They come out of the gates by leveling their competition most nights. Then, they kind of just cruise for most of the rest of the game. If the Nuggets find themselves in a clutch situation, they often put them away. Denver is coasting, so we’ll see soon just how important the No. 1 seed is for the team. But the Nuggets are cruising in mostly dominant fashion.
Offensive Rating
117.1 (13th)
Defensive Rating
113.7 (11th)
Western
Tier 1 – The Contenders
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: +5.8 net rating (ranked eighth) | Previously -4.8 (20th)
Second quarter: +7.3 net rating (ranked sixth) | Previously +4.3 (ninth)
Third quarter: +6.6 net rating (ranked sixth) | Previously +1.3 (14th)
Fourth quarter: +3.0 net rating (ranked tenth) | Previously -3.2 (21st)
Clutch: +5.3 net rating (ranked 13th) | 25 games (13-12) | Previously -16.0 (22nd tied)
Takeaway: Everything has completely turned around for the Cavs, which makes sense because they’ve been dominant for the last month and a half. They no longer have bad quarters for the season, doing a complete 180 with clutch situations. And a lot of this turnaround happened while missing two starters for weeks. The Cavs are hell for the entire 48 minutes now.
Offensive Rating
116.2 (15th)
Defensive Rating
110.3 (2nd)
Eastern
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: +4.3 net rating (ranked tenth) | Previously +8.5 (fifth)
Second quarter: +10.0 net rating (ranked second) | Previously +12.9 (fourth)
Third quarter: +13.9 net rating (ranked second) | Previously +6.7 (fifth)
Fourth quarter: -16.0 net rating (ranked 30th) | Previously -16.9 (30th)
Clutch: -4.8 net rating (ranked 17th) | 29 games (14-15) | Previously -14.9 (21st)
Takeaway: I still don’t understand why the Suns aren’t dominant in clutch situations with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the same team. You’re probably thinking the defense is at fault, but it’s not. Phoenix’s offense has really struggled in the clutch. This team lets too many squads back in games in the fourth, but the Suns do a great job of building a cushion in the first three quarters, especially from the second to third periods.
Offensive Rating
117.8 (9th)
Defensive Rating
114.5 (14th)
Western
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: +11.4 net rating (ranked third) | Previously +8.4 (sixth)
Second quarter: +9.9 net rating (ranked third) | Previously +14.0 (second)
Third quarter: -0.3 net rating (ranked 19th) | Previously -6.3 (26th)
Fourth quarter: -3.4 net rating (ranked 25th) | Previously -10.8 (27th)
Clutch: -13.3 net rating (ranked 25th) | 19 games (9-10) | Previously -19.8 (26th)
Takeaway: You have to start out real hot against this Pelicans team, or you’re pretty much buried by halftime. Their offense and defense are damn near flawless in the first quarter. While the offense wanes a bit in the second period, the defense is still elite by then. The good news for opponents is this team struggles in the clutch for some reason. If you can make it a close game, you have a great shot. They’re just 1-6 in games decided by one possession.
Offensive Rating
117.2 (12th)
Defensive Rating
112.7 (6th tied)
Western
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: +5.9 net rating (ranked seventh) | Previously -5.7 (21st)
Second quarter: +0.3 net rating (ranked 15th) | Previously -0.5 (15th)
Third quarter: +0.4 net rating (ranked 18th) | Previously +5.5 (seventh)
Fourth quarter: -1.4 net rating (ranked 19th) | Previously +1.0 (17th)
Clutch: +23.5 net rating (ranked first) | 23 games (17-6) | Previously +21.6 (fifth tied)
Takeaway: This is the best clutch team in the NBA, and I think it’s only going to get deadlier for their opponents. I love their additions at the deadline. And Luka Dončić is playing about as well as you can expect a star to play. The Mavericks don’t just have the best clutch-time net rating in the clutch — they also have the best such record. Everything is the right decision, and they turn the ball over an incomprehensibly low seven percent of the time. You have to blow them out or risk being cooked.
Offensive Rating
117.5 (11th)
Defensive Rating
116.2 (19th)
Western
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: +6.3 net rating (ranked sixth) | Previously +10.7 (fourth)
Second quarter: -1.0 net rating (ranked 17th) | Previously -4.0 (18th)
Third quarter: +6.7 net rating (ranked fifth) | Previously +5.2 (eighth)
Fourth quarter: +7.2 net rating (ranked first tied) | Previously +11.8 (second)
Clutch: +21.8 net rating (ranked fourth) | 22 games (11-11) | Previously +17.1 (eighth)
Takeaway: Even though the Knicks are banged up and waiting for a healthy OG Anunoby and Julius Randle to be back, I love where this team is. They’re still very impressive coming out of the gates, both in the first and third quarters. They’re tied as the best fourth-quarter team in the league. It’s a little confusing that their clutch record isn’t better, considering their net rating, but it’s a sign of good things to come.
Offensive Rating
117.9 (7th tied)
Defensive Rating
113.1 (9th)
Eastern
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
First quarter: 0.0 net rating (ranked 17th) | Previously -3.5 (18th)
Second quarter: +5.5 net rating (ranked ninth) | Previously +1.7 (11th)
Third quarter: +2.9 net rating (ranked 14th) | Previously -1.0 (19th tied)
Fourth quarter: +4.1 net rating (ranked fifth) | Previously +16.1 (first)
Clutch: +15.1 net rating (ranked ninth) | 28 games (18-10) | Previously +31.9 (first)
Takeaway: Admittedly, these numbers are a little meaningless for the Bucks, considering the coaching changes. The Bucks under Doc Rivers (3-7) have been atrocious in the first quarter, fantastic in the second quarter and then pretty mediocre-to-bad in the third and fourth quarters. They’re also 0-4 in games that trigger clutch scenarios and have been obliterated in those moments. We’re also dealing with a very small sample size of 10 games. The positive is their defense has been much better, and the offense has been the problem. With their talent, you expect the offense to improve naturally.
Offensive Rating
118.9 (5th)
Defensive Rating
115.9 (17th)
Eastern
Tier 2 – Brink of Contention
Tier 3 – Playoff Teams
First quarter: +0.9 net rating (ranked 15th) | Previously +6.9 (eighth)
Second quarter: -2.1 net rating (ranked 20th) | Previously -12.9 (29th)
Third quarter: +3.7 net rating (ranked 12th) | Previously +0.4 (17th)
Fourth quarter: -1.1 net rating (ranked 18th) | Previously +1.4 (16th)
Clutch: +8.7 net rating (ranked 12th) | 25 games (15-10) | Previously +13.1 (11th)
Takeaway: The second quarter isn’t as much of a problem as we saw in early December, when we first checked in on these quarter flow numbers. And we’re seeing the Kings come out of halftime with a lot more force and purpose. But it’s odd to see this squad not be the fourth quarter monsters we saw a year ago. I think we’ll get some of that the rest of the season, because this team usually finishes strong with its offense when opposing defenses are exhausted from chasing them all game.
Offensive Rating
116.6 (14th)
Defensive Rating
116.1 (18th)
Western
Tier 3 – Playoff Teams
First quarter: +5.6 net rating (ranked ninth) | Previously +6.4 (ninth)
Second quarter: +0.1 net rating (ranked 16th) | Previously +6.9 (eighth)
Third quarter: +3.0 net rating (ranked 13th) | Previously +4.7 (ninth)
Fourth quarter: -7.8 net rating (ranked 29th) | Previously -13.0 (29th)
Clutch: -18.1 net rating (ranked 27th) | 26 games (14-12) | Previously -30.6 (28th)
Takeaway: Plenty of excuses can be made as to why the Heat have struggled at the end of games — both in the fourth quarter and in straight-up clutch situations. And we know they’re a different team when Jimmy Butler is available and healthy. However, the Heat thrived on clutch situations last season. But even though they have a winning record in those games, they’re not close to executing the way we expect them to. Only Detroit and Washington have a worse clutch offense.
Offensive Rating
113.3 (22nd)
Defensive Rating
113.0 (8th)
Eastern
Tier 3 – Playoff Teams
First quarter: -5.7 net rating (ranked 22nd) | Previously +4.5 (12th)
Second quarter: +6.6 net rating (ranked seventh) | Previously +21.3 (first)
Third quarter: -1.4 net rating (ranked 20th) | Previously -2.8 (24th)
Fourth quarter: +3.7 net rating (ranked seventh) | Previously -5.6 (23rd)
Clutch: +3.7 net rating (ranked 14th) | 27 games (16-11) | Previously -7.5 (18th)
Takeaway: The Magic went from doing a great job starting out games and falling apart a bit in the second half to starting out extremely slowly and then rallying in the second and fourth quarters. They’ve also become one of the better clutch teams in the league, thanks to top-notch defense. In fact, their defense is what carries them through games. It’s a shame Orlando didn’t grab a lead guard at the deadline to make its offense steadier.
Offensive Rating
113.0 (24th)
Defensive Rating
112.0 (5th)
Eastern
Tier 3 – Playoff Teams
Tier 4 – Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better
First quarter: -1.9 net rating (ranked 18th) | Previously -0.7 (16th)
Second quarter: -2.0 net rating (ranked 19th) | Previously -0.6 (16th)
Third quarter: +6.4 net rating (ranked seventh) | Previously +7.3 (fourth)
Fourth quarter: +2.6 net rating (ranked 13th) | Previously +8.1 (fifth)
Clutch: +12.2 net rating (ranked tenth) | 27 games (16-11) | Previously +23.2 (third)
Takeaway: It usually takes the Pacers a little while to get going, but they are really tough to deal with in the third quarter, when they are in rhythm with that offense. They’re no longer sporting the best offense in NBA history. They simply have the second-best offense in NBA history, which is most bolstered in the third quarter. Let’s see if the Pacers can become the clutch killers they were to begin the season again. They’ll need that late-game execution the rest of the season.
Offensive Rating
120.5 (2nd)
Defensive Rating
119.2 (26th)
Eastern
Tier 4 – Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better
First quarter: -8.1 net rating (ranked 26th) | Previously -14.1 (28th)
Second quarter: +5.7 net rating (ranked eighth) | Previously +1.1 (12th)
Third quarter: +1.5 net rating (ranked 15th) | Previously +1.5 (13th)
Fourth quarter: +0.3 net rating (ranked 16th) | Previously +7.9 (sixth)
Clutch: +11.4 net rating (ranked 11th) | 22 games (15-7) | Previously +21.1 (seventh)
Takeaway: It’s not as bad as it was, but the Lakers are still struggling to begin games before trying to dig themselves out of a hole. Their fourth-quarter mark has regressed quite a bit, but the good news is they’re still very good in the clutch this season. Much of that is LeBron James just taking over, but the Lakers need to count on him to drag them through the mud in these tight spots.
Offensive Rating
114.5 (18th tied)
Defensive Rating
114.7 (15th)
Western
Tier 4 – Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better
First quarter: +1.2 net rating (ranked 13th tied) | Previously -9.5 (23rd)
Second quarter: +7.7 net rating (ranked fifth) | Previously +13.9 (third)
Third quarter: +5.5 net rating (ranked eighth) | Previously +15.9 (first)
Fourth quarter: +4.7 net rating (ranked fourth) | Previously +9.0 (fourth)
Clutch: -5.4 net rating (ranked 18th) | 20 games (9-11) | Previously -26.3 (27th)
Takeaway: It’s kind of impossible to judge these guys now that Joel Embiid is possibly lost for the rest of the season. Up until this point, they’ve been consistently crushing the competition after the first quarter, and they’ve even figured out some of their late-game issues with clutch situations. But now Tyrese Maxey and Co. must set the tone early and not run out of gas in the second half. Let’s see if they built up enough of a cushion to stay in the top six in the East. They’re 2.5 games ahead of seventh-place Miami.
Offensive Rating
118.6 (6th)
Defensive Rating
114.1 (12th)
Eastern
Tier 4 – Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: +1.2 net rating (ranked 13th tied) | Previously +5.1 (11th)
Second quarter: +1.4 net rating (ranked 12th tied) | Previously +0.8 (13th)
Third quarter: +8.1 net rating (ranked fourth) | Previously +2.5 (12th)
Fourth quarter: -4.5 net rating (ranked 27th) | Previously -6.6 (24th tied)
Clutch: -6.2 net rating (ranked 20th) | 37 games (18-19) | Previously -2.3 (16th)
Takeaway: Considering how mediocre the Warriors were for most of this season and how often Draymond Green has been out of the lineup, it’s impressive we see their clutch record as close to .500 as it is. The Warriors are on pace to finish with more clutch situations than Miami (54) and Dallas (NBA-high 55) of a year ago. But the most encouraging thing for the Warriors right now is they’re turning back into that team that turns the tables on you in the third quarter.
Offensive Rating
117.9 (7th tied)
Defensive Rating
116.6 (20th)
Western
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: -6.8 net rating (ranked 24th tied) | Previously -15.3 (30th)
Second quarter: -3.7 net rating (ranked 22nd) | Previously -10.2 (25th)
Third quarter: +0.5 net rating (ranked 17th) | Previously +0.2 (18th)
Fourth quarter: +3.2 net rating (ranked ninth) | Previously 0.0 (18th)
Clutch: +16.9 net rating (ranked seventh) | 31 games (17-14) | Previously +21.6 (fifth tied)
Takeaway: Just like before when we checked in early December, the Bulls have a big problem in the first half and then they try to claw their way back in the second half. And, when they get it to clutch-game scenarios, Chicago does a great job at turning the game in their favor. The good news is the first half isn’t the problem it once was, but it still needs to improve so most games aren’t some heroic comeback attempt.
Offensive Rating
113.5 (21st)
Defensive Rating
115.0 (16th)
Eastern
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: -6.8 net rating (ranked 24th tied) | Previously -3.9 (19th)
Second quarter: -5.2 net rating (ranked 23rd) | Previously -10.4 (26th)
Third quarter: -7.7 net rating (ranked 25th) | Previously -13.1 (27th tied)
Fourth quarter: +7.2 net rating (ranked first tied) | Previously +1.9 (13th tied)
Clutch: +22.8 net rating (ranked third) | 21 games (12-9) | Previously +15.1 (ninth)
Takeaway: The Jazz are tied with the Knicks as the best fourth-quarter team in the NBA, but we need to figure out if that’s because the game is often out of hand and they’re able to storm back under the guise of inevitability or whether they’re good at finding that extra gear. It’s probably somewhere in the middle, but we know Utah is really good in clutch situations. They just can’t keep getting stuck in bad starts at the start of games.
Offensive Rating
115.8 (16th)
Defensive Rating
118.8 (25th)
Western
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: -2.3 net rating (ranked 19th) | Previously +3.3 (13th)
Second quarter: +1.2 net rating (ranked 14th) | Previously +0.5 (14th)
Third quarter: +1.0 net rating (ranked 16th) | Previously +3.1 (11th)
Fourth quarter: +3.5 net rating (ranked eighth) | Previously +4.7 (eighth)
Clutch: -9.8 net rating (ranked 24th) | 28 games (10-18) | Previously -19.1 (25th)
Takeaway: We’ve seen some regression with the Rockets, especially lately during this downtime. That might just be a product of the dog days of the season hitting a core that is still pretty young, but that same youth is hurting them in the clutch. Houston’s defense, which is its strength, struggles quite a bit in those situations. You can’t have your identity slip when the offense is unreliable. Still, all in all, a great step forward for Houston has been taken this season.
Offensive Rating
113.2 (23rd)
Defensive Rating
112.7 (6th tied)
Western
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: +2.3 net rating (ranked 12th) | Previously +5.6 (tenth)
Second quarter: -6.0 net rating (ranked 25th tied) | Previously -6.0 (22nd)
Third quarter: -2.3 net rating (ranked 21st) | Previously +0.9 (15th tied)
Fourth quarter: -2.5 net rating (ranked 20th tied) | Previously +10.4 (third)
Clutch: -9.4 net rating (ranked 23rd) | 24 games (9-15) | Previously +1.1 (15th)
Takeaway: This team went from dominating fourth quarters and being a tough team to defeat to completely falling apart in the final frame, by comparison. The Nets have become a bad, unreliable clutch team as well. I know I’m the last person to believe Ben Simmons can still be a good difference-maker, but now that he’s back and they have a new coach, I wonder if he can help correct some of this stuff.
Offensive Rating
114.5 (18th tied)
Defensive Rating
116.8 (21st)
Eastern
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
First quarter: +0.8 net rating (ranked 16th) | Previously -6.9 (22nd)
Second quarter: +3.5 net rating (ranked 11th) | Previously +3.8 (tenth)
Third quarter: -10.8 net rating (ranked 27th) | Previously +0.9 (15th tied)
Fourth quarter: -4.1 net rating (ranked 26th) | Previously +2.6 (11th)
Clutch: -17.4 net rating (ranked 26th) | 35 games (16-19) | Previously -16.0 (22nd tied)
Takeaway: I have good news and bad news. The good news is the Hawks are no longer getting destroyed to begin games. They’re fighting in and winning that first quarter. The bad news is this thing has completely fallen apart coming out of halftime. That’s a focus thing, in my opinion. The Hawks are still too talented for all of this malaise to saturate their game. Hopefully, they have one of those second-half turnarounds, both for the season and third quarter.
Offensive Rating
117.6 (9th tied)
Defensive Rating
120.0 (29th)
Eastern
Tier 5 – Looking to make the Play-In
Tier 6 – Not tanking yet but maybe someday
First quarter: -4.0 net rating (ranked 21st) | Previously -10.0 (26th)
Second quarter: -15.0 net rating (ranked 30th) | Previously -15.0 (30th)
Third quarter: -5.4 net rating (ranked 22nd) | Previously -1.0 (19th tied)
Fourth quarter: +1.2 net rating (ranked 15th) | Previously +1.9 (13th tied)
Clutch: -5.8 net rating (ranked 19th) | 24 games (10-14) | Previously -8.7 (19th)
Takeaway: The lost season for the Grizzlies is frustrating, but the good news is we’re seeing some young guys develop and get a chance to become key contributors for a good Grizzlies team next season. We’ve seen progress with how they start out the game, but not how they finish the first half. That second quarter is still brutal. Things are getting worse out of halftime, but I wonder how much of that is just the extreme rotation changes with the younger guys.
Offensive Rating
107.7 (30th)
Defensive Rating
113.5 (10th)
Western
Tier 6 – Not tanking yet but maybe someday
First quarter: -6.4 net rating (ranked 23rd) | Previously +0.5 (14th)
Second quarter: -1.5 net rating (ranked 18th) | Previously -6.3 (23rd)
Third quarter: -6.1 net rating (ranked 23rd) | Previously -5.1 (25th)
Fourth quarter: -1.0 net rating (ranked 17th) | Previously +4.5 (ninth)
Clutch: -6.7 net rating (ranked 21st) | 32 games (12-20) | Previously +13.2 (tenth)
Takeaway: I keep thinking the Raptors should be much better than they are — and maybe they should be. Even with the trades, I like a lot of this roster, and I’m all-in on the Scottie Barnes experience. Unfortunately, though, they’ve struggled to start the game and the second half. They’ve completely regressed in clutch situations since early December, and that’s where you’ll feel the losses following those trades.
Offensive Rating
113.8 (20th)
Defensive Rating
117.6 (24th)
Eastern
Tier 6 – Not tanking yet but maybe someday
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
First quarter: -9.1 net rating (ranked 27th) | Previously -9.6 (24th tied)
Second quarter: -11.2 net rating (ranked 27th) | Previously -10.7 (27th)
Third quarter: -9.5 net rating (ranked 26th) | Previously -2.4 (22nd tied)
Fourth quarter: -5.4 net rating (ranked 28th) | Previously -12.1 (28th)
Clutch: -42.4 net rating (ranked 29th) | 25 games (5-20) | Previously -55.6 (29th)
Takeaway: Even though they still have the NBA’s worst record, it at least looks better than it did a month ago. And we’ve seen progress with them in the fourth quarters of games. But the Pistons have gotten much worse coming out of halftime. Despite the roster being bad, Monty Williams has been pretty subpar as a coach this season. Hopefully, the last third of the season is more competitive for them like we’ve seen lately.
Offensive Rating
110.9 (26th)
Defensive Rating
119.8 (28th)
Eastern
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
First quarter: -2.5 net rating (ranked 20th) | Previously -0.4 (15th)
Second quarter: -12.9 net rating (ranked 28th) | Previously -11.4 (28th)
Third quarter: -15.9 net rating (ranked 29th) | Previously -26.2 (30th)
Fourth quarter: -2.7 net rating (ranked 22nd) | Previously -10.2 (26th)
Clutch: -19.7 net rating (ranked 28th) | 24 games (5-19) | Previously -14.3 (20th)
Takeaway: That first quarter is usually so fun for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama is out there doing crazy stuff that doesn’t look real. The Spurs are playing decent defense and keeping things close. Then, the game gets away from them in the second and third quarters before we hopefully see Wemby and his squad make the game interesting at some point in the fourth quarter. They also look completely disorganized in clutch situations when the solution should be pretty simple: On offense, just pass the ball to Wemby and get out of the way. Defensively, funnel to him. Boom — problem solved.
Offensive Rating
108.5 (29th)
Defensive Rating
117.3 (22nd)
Western
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
First quarter: -18.7 net rating (ranked 30th) | Previously -13.5 (27th)
Second quarter: -6.0 net rating (ranked 25th tied) | Previously -5.9 (21st)
Third quarter: -7.3 net rating (ranked 24th) | Previously -1.7 (21st)
Fourth quarter: -3.0 net rating (ranked 24th) | Previously -4.4 (22nd)
Clutch: -4.2 net rating (ranked 16th) | 26 games (12-14) | Previously -5.7 (17th)
Takeaway: If this team could just stop getting down by so much to begin games, I think we’d see a lot better success with it. The Blazers do a good job of fighting back for the most part, and you can see they’re actually very solid in the clutch. Portland just can’t keep spending all of its time getting its teeth kicked in before trying to fight back. Head coach Chauncey Billups has to get them prepared to play right as the tip-off happens.
Offensive Rating
109.0 (28th)
Defensive Rating
117.5 (23rd)
Western
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
First quarter: -12.9 net rating (ranked 29th) | Previously -14.6 (29th)
Second quarter: -13.0 net rating (ranked 29th) | Previously -5.3 (20th)
Third quarter: -14.8 net rating (ranked 28th) | Previously -13.4 (29th)
Fourth quarter: -2.5 net rating (ranked 20th tied) | Previously -1.2 (19th)
Clutch: -3.3 net rating (ranked 15th) | 25 games (11-14) | Previously +4.0 (14th)
Takeaway: Sure, we could talk about how bad this team is with quarters one through three, and I don’t even want to say they’re good in the fourth quarter because the game is often out of hand at that point. But let’s look at the positive for Charlotte. This team is surprisingly good in clutch situations. For as bad as the Hornets are the other times, this is a little encouraging for their future. Just getting as many positive reps with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller is huge for the rest of the season.
Offensive Rating
109.5 (27th)
Defensive Rating
120.3 (30th)
Eastern
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
First quarter: -10.2 net rating (ranked 28th) | Previously -9.6 (24th tied)
Second quarter: -2.5 net rating (ranked 21st) | Previously -1.8 (17th)
Third quarter: -18.5 net rating (ranked 30th) | Previously -13.1 (27th tied)
Fourth quarter: -2.9 net rating (ranked 23rd) | Previously -6.6 (24th tied)
Clutch: -59.1 net rating (ranked 30th) | 21 games (3-18) | Previously -66.7 (30th)
Takeaway: This is the least serious team in the NBA. Many other teams have had talent deficiencies all season, so it leaves them incapable of competing or winning. The Wizards had the talent to be much better and are just not. The third quarter and clutch time tell you everything you need to know with that. Out of halftime, they’re getting waxed. If they do manage to get a close game going, they get played right out of clutch-time situations, during which they are 3-18.
Offensive Rating
111.0 (25th)
Defensive Rating
119.5 (27th)
Eastern
Tier 7 – Incomprehensibly bad
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(Photo of Jayson Tatum: Brian Babineau / Getty Images)
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