NBA: Power Rankings 16.0
1. Phoenix Suns (63-25, +3): Phoenix has vaulted to the top of our rankings for the second time this season after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Chris Paul led the Suns to a 130-103 blowout victory, dropping 41 points and eight assists on 7/8 shooting from 3-point range, including a 31-point second half explosion. After a postseason like we have never seen before, the Suns (-210) are favorites to win it all and will host Game 1 of the Finals next week.
2. Milwaukee Bucks (57-31, +3): The Bucks are just one win away from their first Finals appearance since 1974 but are without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the time being after he went down with a hyperextended left knee in a Game 4 loss. Antetokounmpo's return is unclear but per ESPN, an MRI showed there is no structural damage. Milwaukee picked up a win in Game 5 without their two-time MVP as Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez combined for 59 points and 20 rebounds against Atlanta.
3. Brooklyn Nets (55-29, -1): Brooklyn hasn't played in almost two weeks after losing Game 7 to the Milwaukee Bucks but it's hard not to rank them at least this high. Steve Nash's team was the best in the league at full strength but they could never stay on the floor for an extended period of time. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving played just 14 games together and the latter two were injured against Milwaukee. The Nets will certainly gear up for a run next year after an early exit in 2021.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (57-34, +4): The Clippers battled through a lot during the playoffs, coming back from 0-2 deficits against the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, before falling to Phoenix in Game 6 on Wednesday night. Paul George lifted his stock with an impressive showing, averaging 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on a playoff-high 40.8 minutes per game. George stepped up after Kawhi Leonard's ACL injury but the Clippers didn't have enough to pull off another upset.
5. Atlanta Hawks (51-38, +4): Atlanta has had one of the unlikeliest runs to the conference finals in recent memory and still have a good shot at reaching the Finals despite being down 3-2. Unfortunately, most of their fate rests on if budding-superstar Trae Young can return from a right foot bone bruise. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Young is still questionable after missing the last two games of the series. Game 6 is set for Saturday, July 3 in Atlanta at 8:30 PM.
Other playoff teams:
6. Jazz (58-25, -5)
7. 76ers (56-28, -4)
8. Nuggets (51-31, -2)
9. Mavericks (45-34, -2)
10. Trail Blazers (44-34, +0)
11. Lakers (44-34, +0)
12. Grizzlies (41-38, +0)
13. Celtics (38-40, +0)
14. Knicks (42-35, +1)
15. Heat (40-36, +1)
16. Wizards (36-43, -2)
Rest of the league:
17. Warriors (39-35, +0)
18. Pacers (35-39, +0)
19. Spurs (33-40, +1)
20. Hornets (33-40, -1)
21. Kings (31-41, +1)
22. Bulls (31-41, +2)
23. Pelicans (31-41, -2)
24. Timberwolves (23-49, +4)
25. Raptors (27-45, -2)
26. Thunder (22-50, +0)
27. Cavaliers (22-50, -2)
28. Magic (21-51, -1)
29. Pistons (20-52, +0)
30. Rockets (17-55, +0)
Biggest questions:
- Can the Hawks force a Game 7?
- Will Giannis, Trae return this series?
- How does Phoenix defend Giannis?
Finals odds:
- Phoenix Suns (-210)
- Milwaukee Bucks (+310)
- Atlanta Hawks (+550)
Most likely Finals MVP:
- Chris Paul (+150)
- Devin Booker (+225)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (+250)
Must-see matchups:
- Bogdan Bogdanovic vs. Jrue Holiday
- Danilo Gallinari vs. Khris Middleton
- Clint Capela vs. Brook Lopez
Playoff MVP:
- Chris Paul (18.1 PPG, 8.7 APG)
- Kevin Durant (34.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG)
- Trae Young (29.8 PPG, 9.5 APG)
Photo Credit: CBS Sports.
