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

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Milwaukee Bucks. 4. team. 89. . 37-22. Previous: 6th

Last Week: Lost/OT to Phoenix Suns 128-127, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 124-117, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 132-94

This Week: 4/25 at Atlanta Hawks, 4/27 at Charlotte Hornets, 4/29 at Houston Rockets, 4/30 at Chicago Bulls

Despite a questionable loss to the Phoenix Suns in overtime this week, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves risers on the back of two dominant performances against their conference rivals in Philly. The Bucks are quietly rolling into the Eastern Conference playoffs as something of an afterthought for the first time in three seasons, which may be exactly what they need.

The numbers are still gaudy. Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like an MVP yet again, averaging 28.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this week. His dominance has been muted because of voter fatigue but he has a chance soon to prove that the MVP awards he has won were more than justified.

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have also been very solid of late. Middleton averaged 18.0 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds a game which is less than his usual fair but is coming more naturally in the flow of the game. Holiday has been everything the Bucks have wanted Eric Bledsoe to be for years and posted a line this week of 16.3 points, 8.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He is going to be a matchup nightmare for Milwaukee’s opponents in the playoffs.