NBA Playoff Picture: These Teams Are Peaking the Right Time
The end of the NBA regular season is just days away, and the NBA playoff picture is starting to look clearer. With so many games in the regular reason, the strongest and weakest NBA teams always fluctuates as the season progresses. But, certain NBA teams are peaking right now, which is the best time, while others are falling off right when they need that playoff steam.
NBA Playoff Picture
Philadelphia 76ers
This is a tricky one. The Philadelphia 76ers went on a losing run after Joel Embiid was benched with a knee injury in late January. But, Embiid returned Tuesday (April 2), and he managed 24 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in the 76ers’ 109-105 win over Oklahoma City. So, he’s coming back into play just at the right time. With Embiid back in the fold, this team could get dangerous. That said, based on their current record, they’ll most likely get a play-in game in the offseason.
Boston Celtics
Obviously, the Boston Celtics are the team to beat and a huge part of the NBA playoff picture. They have the best record in the NBA and the No. 1 offense. Their defense is also ranked inside the top five in the NBA. They’ve lost a few surprising games lately, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Celtics are favorites to go all the way. If they win the championship, it will mark their 18th title and first since 2008.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been on a winning run since February. They’re an example of a team that’s peaking at the right time. They also have one of the strongest defenses in the league.
Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Denver
These teams are all vying for a top spot in the West, which is not an easy task, since this conference is so competitive. For all three of these teams, each remaining regular season game counts a lot. One big game of interest is Denver vs. Minnesota on April 10. The Thunder don’t have any remaining games against Minnesota or Oklahoma City.
Other Teams
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are both teams of interest in the NBA playoff picture, although they have both struggled at times this season. The two teams will play each other on Tuesday (April 9) in what will be a crucial game. The Miami Heat are also contenders, as they have one of the stronger defenses in the NBA. However, their offense is struggling, so that could pose big problems in the playoffs. As a Detroit Pistons fan, I always hold out hope for my guys to make the playoffs, but I’ll have to wait until next year. Which teams do you think will rule the NBA playoff picture this season? Reach out to me and let me know.
Ranking The 5 Best NBA Uniforms Of The 90's
#5 Utah Jazz
This Jazz logo is back these days. However, the purple away threads with yellow Utah Jazz across the chest remains a very 1990’s look. The basketball embedded in the “J” brings the logo to new level. The home look was exactly the same , it just featured a white uniform. Jazz Legends that wore this include Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Photo: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images
#4 Orlando Magic
This was the original Magic look. The team’s first season was in 1989, and they wore the white pinstripe home, and black pinstripe aways until 1998. The team made it to their first Finals appearance, sporting this look in 1995. Magic legends who wore this include Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.
Photo: All Sport / Getty Images
#3 Phoenix Suns
The Suns sported a similar design model to the Jazz with a prominent graphic wrapped around the chest. The Suns made the list for two reasons. First, this look was such an upgrade from the previous uniform design, which really bland. Second, it was synonymous with that infamous team that took the Chicago Bulls to six games in the 1993 Finals. Suns legends that wore this include Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle.
Photo: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport / Getty Images
#2 Seattle Supersonics
Oh wow. The green with the white Sonics ribbon and yellow numbers is as classic ’90s basketball as you can get. The green and yellow may also be the best color combination in NBA history. It just fit Seattle and even rock stars like Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament wore these jerseys loud and proud. The Sonics should have never gone away from them in mid-’90s and Seattle should have never let the Sonics go. Supersonics legends who wore this include Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton.
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
#1 Charlotte Hornets
The teal and purple were just so out of the ordinary. When the Hornets came into the league in 1988 they immediately took the court marching to their own beat. They embraced the clip-art bumble bee. In contrast, both their home and away jersey only said “Charlotte” across the chest as opposed to “Hornets.” A more modern, upgraded look is what the team wears now. It slightly pays respect to their beyond entertaining teams of the ’90s. Hornets legends that wore this include Larry “Grandmama” Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
