All Power Ratings show are PLAYOFF Power Ratings!
Cleveland: 6
There is no question the Cavs are a better team in the playoffs than they are during the regular season. I bumped them two points from 4 to 6 to reflect that. However, we HAVE to be concerned by their last two games vs. Atl. They should have wrapped up HFA by now, instead they are in a dogfight with Boston, tied with 2 games left (Clev has the tiebreak). Friday, they lost at home to Atl's backups by 14. Sunday, they lead Atl by 26 in the 4th quarter, and LOST. Red Flags are flying, and the Cavs could be vulnerable with that poor defense.
Boston is likely to win out, so the Cavs need to do so as well to get the No1 Seed. How hard will they play tonight @Mia, given they are off a back to back, AND played OT last night? The No1 seed carries a big edge as you not only get HFA, but you get to avoid Toronto until the finals of the East.
Boston: 3.5
Boston appears built to win during the Regular Season. Brad Stevens gets the most out of his team every night, but one has to question if this team can get any better in the playoffs. Boston got bounced in the playoffs in the 1st round last year by Atlanta, and I have concerns this year. They came up completely empty at home vs. the Cavs in a huge game (winner likely to get HFA), and everything was in Boston's favor there, as Cleveland was playing off a back to back.
Toronto: 5
The Raptors are clearly the second best team in the East right now with their star guard Kyle Lowrie returning. Guard DeRozen has carried this team with Lowrie out, and their D has been so much better of late, and the Ibaka addition has made this a better team. Frankly, everything I read indicated Toronto's Lowrie was the star, and DeRozen more a scoring than a key difference maker, but this has been proven wrong this year. However, Toronto is another team that seems to bring top effort every week, and one has to question if they can elevate enough to beat Cleveland.
Wash: 2
Washington had that great run at home earlier this year, but this team seems to have hit "The Wall", and looks to be a pretender. With them likely slated into the no4 seed, I cannot see them making a run at Cleveland. Further, this team missed the playoffs last year, at 41-41, so no playoff experience from last year to fall back on.
Atlanta: 3
This team floundered without Paul Milsap, but HERE is a team that is suddenly playing good basketball, and who can argue with back to back wins vs. the Cavs (even if there were some pretty bizarre circumstances). Look for Atl to "upset" Wash in the opening 4/5 series in the Playoffs.
Milwaukee: 1.5.
The Bucks were heading nowhere in February, 10 games below .500, and lost Jabari Parker for the year. Kris Middleton returns from injury, the Greek Freak stars playing out of his mind, and they went on a monster run. It was all impressive, but the unimpressive 1-3 April seems to indicate this team has peaked. Further, they simply won't be able to hand in with Toronto if that is their 1st round opponent.
Indiana 0.
The Pacers are a team that really are the "8 of clubs" of the league. A league average team that has no chance in the playoffs, and frankly a team that everyone wants to play round 1.
Chicago: 0.5
Amazingly, the Bulls got better when Wade got shut down. Jimmy Butler is such a solid player, that giving another guard lots of touches hurts this team, the same was true when Rose was on the team. The Bulls have some nice players that were not used properly during the year, (Mirotec). They are slightly better than Indiana.
Miami: 2.5
On a 27-11 Run, it is really a shame this team will likely miss the playoffs. They need to win their last 2 and get a Pacers loss, as their likely way in. (The Bulls have the tiebreaker over them). This game Monday Clev @Mia is fascinating, as Cleveland likely needs it to get the No1 seed. Expect a very entertaining game!