NBA Power Rankings: Taking stock ahead of the home stretch

The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.

Here's how all 30 teams stand with the postseason less than two months away.

1. Milwaukee Bucks (48-8)

Previous rank: 1

It's downright scary to fathom just how good the Bucks have been. Consider this: The Raptors won 15 straight contests before the All-Star break, yet they only made up 2.5 games on the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed. And on Sunday, the Bucks set an NBA record when they clinched a playoff berth in the fewest number of games since the 16-team playoff format was adopted in 1984.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (43-12)

Previous rank: 2

Taking home the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season would be the greatest way for these Lakers to honor Kobe Bryant's legacy. Securing the Western Conference's top seed would be an ideal first step in that pursuit.

3. Toronto Raptors (42-15)

Previous rank: 3

Toronto is in the driver's seat for the East's second seed. If the Raptors maintain their position, they'll have a very favorable first-round matchup, hold home-court advantage in the following round, and avoid a potential series against the Bucks until the conference finals.

4. Boston Celtics (39-17)

Previous rank: 5

Next to the Raptors and Bucks, the hottest team in the NBA over the last 10 games has been the Celtics. They hold the league's fourth-best net rating and point differential, and they're also 5-2 this season against Milwaukee, Toronto, and Miami.

5. Denver Nuggets (39-18)

Previous rank: 6

Denver is cruising through another regular season but can't afford to take its foot off the pedal. Only five games separate the Nuggets from the seventh-seeded Dallas Mavericks in a tight West playoff race.

6. Los Angeles Clippers (37-19)

Previous rank: 4

Injuries were always going to affect these Clippers, but Paul George's recurring hamstring ailments and Patrick Beverley's lingering groin injury are becoming causes for concern with just under eight weeks left until the playoffs.

7. Houston Rockets (36-20)

Previous rank: 8

Houston's now all-in on the "Pocket Rockets." James Harden and Russell Westbrook have thrived in the super small-ball game plan, averaging 33.1 and 32.1 points, respectively, across Houston's last nine games.

8. Utah Jazz (36-20)

Previous rank: 9

Donovan Mitchell has excelled this season when given the opportunity to initiate the Jazz's offense, especially while Mike Conley was sidelined. With Conley now back in the lineup, the pair's ability to develop chemistry entering the postseason should be Utah's top priority.

9. Miami Heat (36-20)

Previous rank: 7

It's been a rough adjustment period for Andre Iguodala, who's averaged 4.6 points and 21 minutes through five games with the Heat. Shaking off a half-season's worth of rust is no easy task, though, and Iguodala should still be a major factor in Miami's postseason run.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (35-22)

Previous rank: 13

A concerning back injury to Ben Simmons has Philadelphia holding its breath. Simmons had been hitting another gear recently, averaging 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 9.2 assists in the five games before he re-aggravated the ailment on Saturday.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-22)

Previous rank: 10

Barring a colossal collapse, the Thunder will reach the postseason. At this point, it's only a question of how high this surprising bunch led by Chris Paul can finish.

12. Dallas Mavericks (34-23)

Previous rank: 11

The Mavs have only posted an average record since blowing a 30-point lead in Toronto on Dec. 22, but they're still on pace for an all-time offensive rating. They also own the fifth-best point differential in the NBA.

13. Indiana Pacers (33-24)

Previous rank: 12

Victor Oladipo has struggled mightily since returning to the lineup after a year away. The Pacers can only hope he rediscovers his All-Star form in time for the playoffs.

14. Memphis Grizzlies (28-28)

Previous rank: 14

Memphis will play a tough schedule down the stretch, which includes pivotal home-and-homes against both the Pelicans and Raptors. Taking care of business against lesser opponents will be critical if the Grizzlies want to keep hold of the West's No. 8 seed.

15. Brooklyn Nets (26-29)

Previous rank: 15

The Nets are down Kyrie Irving, whose season ended prematurely due to shoulder surgery, but their record is actually worse when he's suited up (8-12 with, 18-17 without). Brooklyn will get either Milwaukee or Toronto in the first round, so it likely wouldn't have made much difference.

16. Portland Trail Blazers (26-32)

Previous rank: 16

Damian Lillard has willed the Blazers closer to the playoff picture, but his ongoing groin injury dramatically increases the likelihood that Portland's streak of six straight postseason appearances will end in April.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (25-32)

Previous rank: 17

The Pelicans must leapfrog two teams and make up a four-game deficit to finish as the eighth seed. But even if New Orleans falls short, its young core - led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram - has injected life into New Orleans' hoop scene.

18. Orlando Magic (24-32)

Previous rank: 18

Orlando's in a great position to secure its second straight playoff berth. The Magic have one of the easiest remaining schedules and could even pass the Nets to claim the seventh seed.

19. San Antonio Spurs (24-32)

Previous rank: 19

The Spurs can't afford another cold spell if they hope to extend their playoff streak to an NBA-record 23 consecutive seasons. San Antonio trails Memphis by four games in the race for the West's final playoff spot.

20. Sacramento Kings (23-33)

Previous rank: 21

Many expected Sacramento to take another step forward after a 12-win improvement last season. Instead, Luke Walton has struggled to get the most out of a youthful squad that's been without promising forward Marvin Bagley III for most of the year.

21. Phoenix Suns (23-34)

Previous rank: 20

As expected, the Suns have set, going 12-22 over their last 34 games. At least sophomore center Deandre Ayton has been stuffing the stat sheet, averaging 21 points and 13 rebounds in his last 15 outings.

22. Washington Wizards (20-35)

Previous rank: 22

Miraculously, the Wizards sit ninth in the East and have a fighting chance to crack the playoff picture. All-Star snub Bradley Beal has been the biggest reason for Washington's push by averaging career highs in points (29.6) and assists (six).

23. Chicago Bulls (20-38)

Previous rank: 23

Zach LaVine is putting up a career season for the lottery-bound Bulls. Whether he wants to stick it out for the long haul in Chicago will likely become a major talking point in the near future.

24. Detroit Pistons (19-40)

Previous rank: 24

The Pistons threw in the towel in February by jettisoning Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Markieff Morris in salary-dump moves. There will certainly be growing pains as the likes of Luke Kennard, Bruce Brown, and Sekou Doumbouya are thrust into bigger roles down the stretch.

25. Charlotte Hornets (19-37)

Previous rank: 28

The Hornets sit just five games out of the East's No. 8 spot despite a 19-37 record. That's not an impossible gap to close, but the Pacers, Raptors, Bucks, Nuggets, and Rockets are five of Charlotte's next seven opponents.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-39)

Previous rank: 25

Karl-Anthony Towns' wrist injury is a downer, but he and D'Angelo Russell will help Minnesota score in bunches over the next few seasons. That duo will need to be surrounded by above-average defenders if Minnesota hopes to resemble a playoff team, however.

27. Atlanta Hawks (17-41)

Previous rank: 26

Despite their subpar record, the Hawks are one of the league's more entertaining teams. Adding a few pieces would likely make them a playoff-caliber squad next season.

28. New York Knicks (17-39)

Previous rank: 27

Interim head coach Mike Miller is unlikely to remain with the Knicks beyond this season, but he's done a respectable job amid the team's annual circus show. The 55-year-old has posted a 13-21 record during his brief spell in charge.

29. Golden State Warriors (12-45)

Previous rank: 29

The Warriors have their fingers crossed that Stephen Curry will return in early March. Seeing what chemistry Curry, Draymond Green, and the newly acquired Andrew Wiggins can develop over the final 20 games or so will be fun.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-41)

Previous rank: 30

The John Beilein era lasted just nine months and J.B. Bickerstaff is now Cleveland's seventh head coach since 2012-13. There could be even more changes ahead for the unstable Cavaliers this summer.