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

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9. team. 125. . 33-27. Previous: 9th. Atlanta Hawks

Last Week: Beat Indiana Pacers 129-117, Beat Orlando Magic 112-96, Lost/OT to New York Knicks 137-127, Beat Miami Heat 118-103

This Week: 4/25 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 4/26 at Detroit Pistons, 4/28 at Philadelphia 76ers, 4/30 at Philadelphia 76ers

Many on the outside would think a game against the Miami Heat without Trae Young and Clint Capela would be disastrous for the Atlanta Hawks. Instead, the upstart Hawks knocked off the reigning Eastern Conference champions in a comfortable fashion.

Six Hawks scored in double-figures, led by 21 points from the scorching Bogdan Bogdanovic. In four games this week for the former King posted a line of 19.5 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on shooting splits of .455/.432/1.00. If Young and Capela are able to get healthy over the next three weeks the team around them has coalesced into a more threatening bunch under coach Nate McMillan.

Perhaps more importantly, De’Andre Hunter has to return to the lineup eventually. He underwent a non-surgical procedure on his knee three weeks ago and should return to the court in due time. Hunter has lowkey turned into the most important piece for the future. Trae Young is the cultural direction and the highlight scorer. Hunter holds things down on both ends of the floor and showed earlier this season how far he has come as a scorer. Health is the biggest thing holding the Hawks back.