2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Final Rankings In Week 25
Gerald Bourguet
Apr 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) congratulates forward Andre Iguodala (9) after a Warriors basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) congratulates forward Andre Iguodala (9) after a Warriors basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-101. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 25 of NBA Power Rankings, the playoff fields are almost completely set in both conferences and we roll out our final power rankings of the season.
The 2016-17 NBA season has finally hit its final week, with only three days of games separating us from the start of the playoffs on Saturday.
In the Eastern Conference, the No. 1 seed and Nos. 5-8 are still up for grabs. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are both striving for that top spot, while five teams jostle for positioning in the East’s final four playoff spots.
In the West, the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers duke it out for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in their upcoming playoff series, while the rest of the conference matchups are set in stone.
As teams blatantly tank and others rest starters heading into the postseason, it can be hard to reconcile a team’s overall record and their recent play with where they truly lie in the NBA landscape.
To sort it all out, here’s a look at our final NBA Power Rankings for the 2016-17 regular season in Week 25.
Apr 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) dribbles past Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dribbles the ball in the first quarter as Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) defends at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle talks with forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) on the sidelines in the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) reacts on the court during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) goes up for the shot during the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 110-109. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace (37) cheers from the bench in the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Lakers won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
D'Angelo Russell gets a major shooter's bounce to beat the Wolves at the buzzer pic.twitter.com/vjO4M0YIVm
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) April 10, 2017
Apr 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Detroit Pistons won 114-109 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) celebrates his basket for a lead in the last two minutes against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (left) and forward Anthony Davis (right) look on from the bench before a game against the Denver Nuggets at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) reacts to a foul call in the second half against the Boston Celtics at Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 121-114. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33), Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and Grizzlies guard Wayne Selden (7) celebrate on the court during the second half against the New York Knicks at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and forward Nikola Mirotic (44) react after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Chicago Bulls won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (6) reacts after hitting a three pointer in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Pacers won 127-112. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) dances after hitting a three-pointer during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Hawks won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The @ATLHawks outscored the Cavs 44-18 in Q4! Millsap's jumper sends us into OT on @NBATV!
Apr 8, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) dribbles past Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) and Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrate after defeating the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three point basket to win the game as time expired against the Denver Nuggets Pepsi Center. The Thunder won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) warms up with assistant coach Antonio Lang prior to their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) shoots against Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after scoring a basket during the second half in a game against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) goes up for a shot between Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) and guard Jeremy Lamb (3) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 121-114. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots over the defense of Atlanta Hawks forward Kris Humphries (43) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball against the the Miami Heat at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Miami 96-94. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals the ball from Los Angeles Lakers small forward Corey Brewer (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and guard Klay Thompson on the bench against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
