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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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

team. 27. . 34-27. Previous: 13th. New York Knicks. 8

Last Week: Beat/OT New Orleans Pelicans 122-112, Beat Charlotte Hornets 109-97, Beat/OT Atlanta Hawks 137-127, Beat Toronto Raptors 120-103

This Week: 4/26 vs. Phoenix Suns, 4/28 vs. Chicago Bulls

The hottest team in the league is the New York Knicks. They won all four games this week and while two of them went into overtime, all of the victories came with a double-digit scoring margin. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett have been exceptional, causing some to begin putting Randle in the MVP conversation.

The Knicks are just not going away. Winning nine games in a row is no fluke. If the Atlanta Hawks (who the Knicks knocked off this week) would ever cool off, the Knicks would be able to build something of a gap for homecourt advantage. Staying right where they are could be the best possible outcome for the potential to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

The four-five matchup is the sweet spot, allowing the Knicks to play a team like the Hawks or Boston Celtics instead of facing one of the big three and getting dismissed early. As much as the Knicks are indeed playing with house money this season, Randle is putting up deserves to be showcased on the biggest stage. He posted another great week, averaging 30.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game on shooting splits of .451/.483/.865. Now let’s try to get those minutes down (41.9 per game this week).