With the playoffs starting this week, I took some time to rework my power rankings with only the remaining 20 playoff teams. Many players will be returning this week from injuries and benches will get squeezed as starters generally play more minutes in the playoffs.
The team making the biggest jump of course are the Nets who will have their big 3 starters back in the lineup for pretty much the first time all season. I expect them to start a bit slowly but grow over the course of the playoffs as they build chemistry and intensity. Even with their full lineup however, they still sit only two points better than both the Bucks and Jazz. They should be the favourites to win the championship, but they are clearly big underdogs to the field.
The Lakers too welcome back both LBJ and AD, but even at full strength they trail both the Clippers and Jazz in my rankings. The west is still extremely competitive and the possibility of an underdog team making a big push is quite high.
My instincts are telling me to expect the Bucks and Clippers in the finals. Both teams have been close in past years and should benefit from added playoff experience and the addition quality bench players.
| East | |
| 76ers | 112 |
| Nets | 115 |
| Bucks | 113 |
| Knicks | 110 |
| Hawks | 112 |
| Heat | 110 |
| Celtics | 109 |
| Wizards | 109 |
| Hornets | 105 |
| Pacers | 107 |
| West | |
| Jazz | 113 |
| Suns | 111 |
| Nuggets | 109 |
| Clippers | 112 |
| Mavericks | 110 |
| Blazers | 109 |
| Lakers | 111 |
| Warriors | 109 |
| Grizzlies | 109 |
| Spurs | 105 |
It was a very successful regular season. My season picks were 76-53 for 58.9%. When break down the picks further, the results look even better.
$ 36-34 51.4%
$$ 24-14 63.2%
$$$ 16-5 76.2%
If you calculate the weighted average with the premiums plays counted as four units, it was a stellar 148-82 for 64.3% or plus 57.8 units. Follow my blog and share the profits.
