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NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

By Corey Rausch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

team. 142. . 26-33. Previous: 19th. Washington Wizards. 16

Last Week: Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107, Beat Golden State Warriors 118-114, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 129-109

This Week: 4/25 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 4/26 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4/28 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 4/30 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 5/1 at Dallas Mavericks

The Washington Wizards remain one of the hottest teams in the league, winners of seven games in a row. They have forced their way fully into the 10th seed and will make a push for the upper part of the play-in situation on the backs of their backcourt. Even as young prospects Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija deal with injuries (the latter of who is out for the remainder of the season), the emergence of the former MVP has changed the direction for the team.

We noted last week how good Russell Westbrook has been recently and that has not cooled off. This week, he averaged 21.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 12.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He played an unsustainable 39.0 minutes per game but Westbrook never minds being the hardest worker on the court.

Also flying under the radar, Davis Bertans is playing like the player that earned a huge contract during the offseason more often. Over this week he averaged 17.3 points and 3.7 rebounds a night on shooting splits of .484/.483/1.00. The core is forming during the absence of the aforementioned future and a foursome of Bertans, Westbrook, Bradley Beal and Daniel Gafford is suddenly a real threat.