Key Highlights
- The East is making a strong push against the West in recent games.
- New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are performing well, while Houston Rockets are struggling.
- Oklahoma City Thunder’s performance drops with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out injured.
The East’s Comeback
Power Rankings, Week 17: Knicks, Celtics and Cavs on the move. The trade deadline has passed, and the All-Star break is drawing near, bringing with it a significant shift in power dynamics within the Eastern Conference.
The West had long dominated interconference games, but recent weeks have seen an unexpected turnaround. Since January 20, the East has won 48 out of 70 games against the West, tightening the overall season record to 142-139 in interconference matches. The balance is tilting towards a more even playing field.
New York Knicks on the Rise
The Knicks, currently holding down the fourth spot, have surged ahead with an impressive eight-game winning streak before finally getting clobbered by Detroit. They reclaimed second place in the Eastern Conference after beating the Celtics, showcasing their strong defense and offensive prowess.
Key takeaway: The Knicks’ top-ranked defense over the past 10 games has been a significant factor, despite occasional off nights like their worst game of the season against Detroit. Jose Alvarado’s debut brought new energy to the bench, but the team faces an even tougher schedule post-break.
San Antonio Spurs: Consistency and Clutch
The Spurs are another rising star, maintaining a wire-to-wire approach that has seen them match their win total from last season. Their success is highlighted by Champagnie’s and Victor Wembanyama’s on-court chemistry, which has resulted in the third-best two-man mark among top teams.
Key takeaway: Despite Devin Vassell returning to the starting lineup, Harrison Barnes’ bench presence has bolstered their game. Stephon Castle’s career-high performance against the Mavericks demonstrates his growth and potential, though he struggles from beyond the arc. Their restricted-area dominance (plus-6.0 per game) signals a strategic focus on physical play.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Struggling with MVP Out
The Thunder’s performance takes a hit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined, who has been the team’s MVP. Since his absence, they’ve lost five of their last eight games and are now tied in losses with the Pistons.
Key takeaway: Without the MVP, the Thunder struggle to maintain their offensive momentum, scoring below 110 points per 100 possessions consistently. Their clutch performance is also questionable as they’ve failed to close out crucial games over the last four weeks.
The first two meetings against Phoenix highlight their inconsistency and need for a strong finish post-break.
As the All-Star break approaches, these teams will be closely watched to see how they perform in the remaining games before the trade deadline. The balance of power is shifting, making every game critical as teams aim to secure playoff spots or improve their seeding.
