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

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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team. 156. . 21-38. Previous: 26th. Cleveland Cavaliers. 26

Last Week: Lost to Detroit Pistons 109-105, Beat Chicago Bulls 121-105, Lost to Charlotte Hornets 108-102

This Week: 4/25 at Washington Wizards, 4/26 at Toronto Raptors, 4/28 vs. Orlando Magic, 4/30 vs. Washington Wizards, 5/1 vs. Miami Heat

For someone who remains a skeptic of the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers, this month has been an indicator of how productive the nominal backcourt of the future could be if everything breaks right. Collin Sexton played in 10 of the 12 games in April so far and Darius Garland has played 11. The team as a whole has only won four games so far in April but the guards have been great.

Sexton is leading the way, as is to be expected. The third-year guard is averaging 26.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. This season, at least in the early parts of the year, has shown that Sexton has the potential to be the leading scorer on a team contending for the postseason as long as the team around him is right.

Garland is the logical next step. In April, he is averaging 20.8 points, 7.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42.9 percent on long-range attempts. This backcourt has slowly gelled together and made the future brighter, but also slightly more confusing. The Cavaliers feel like they are on a path for another top pick, making the fit of the next Cavalier tougher to figure out. Ideally, the Cavs will land on the power forward of the future.