NBA Power Rankings: Each team's biggest unanswered question
The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're taking a look at the biggest question each team will try to answer over the final stretch of the regular season.
1. Phoenix Suns (48-10)
Previous: 1
Is there a better team in basketball? It sure doesn't seem so. The Suns rank third in both offense and defense and entered the All-Star break on pace for a 68-win season - well ahead of their previous franchise high (62).
2. Golden State Warriors (42-17)
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Will the Warriors ever have a full roster? Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have yet to play together this season. With so much movement in the lineup, Golden State will have to mesh on the fly.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (41-19)
Previous: 5
Is the Grizzlies' scorching hot offense playoff ready? The young triumvirate of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has combined for more than 60 points a night over its last 13 games.
4. Miami Heat (38-21)
Previous: 4
How will Victor Oladipo look? The two-time All-Star hasn't suited up in nearly a year and won't have much time to build chemistry with his teammates once he returns to the lineup.
5. Chicago Bulls (38-21)
Previous: 7
Which DeRozan will the Bulls get in the postseason? Fresh off of toppling Wilt Chamberlain's record streak, it's clear DeMar DeRozan has evolved beyond measure. But Chicago needs assurances he can vanquish his playoff demons.
6. Boston Celtics (34-26)
Previous: 14
Is this defense sustainable? The Celtics have the league's No. 1 defensive rating over the last 15 games by an astronomical margin, according to ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry. Naturally, that also gives them the top net rating overall.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (35-23)
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Is James Harden the answer? Daryl Morey finally got his man without losing Philadelphia's youngsters, but the price was still steep. All eyes are now on Harden's synergy with Joel Embiid.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (36-24)
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Is running it back good enough? While the Bucks have kept last season's championship core intact, they've also watched their Eastern Conference competitors add major reinforcements that may make a difference come playoff time.
9. Dallas Mavericks (35-24)
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Who's Luka's wingman? The blockbuster trade of Kristaps Porzingis and an injury to Tim Hardaway leave the Mavericks without a clear No. 2 offensive option behind their franchise cornerstone.
10. Denver Nuggets (33-25)
Previous: 9
Can the supporting cast keep pulling its weight? Monte Morris has lived up to his nickname - "the Count of Monte Assist/TO" - by dishing out 59 assists to just eight turnovers over the past month for a sensational assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.4.
11. Utah Jazz (36-22)
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Can they match up against contenders? The Jazz may no longer be as formidable as they've been in years past. Utah is just 3-9 this season against the top three seeds in each conference.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (35-23)
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Can Cleveland finish strong? The Cavaliers have 10 more games against current Eastern Conference playoff teams. How they fare in those contests will reveal much about their postseason potential.
13. Toronto Raptors (32-25)
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Is the Raptors' short rotation sustainable? The Raptors are 17-8 since Jan. 2, their first game with a full contingent. They're also one of only four teams with a top-10 offense and top-10 defense in that span.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-28)
Previous: 15
Can the Timberwolves crack the top six? Minnesota has made the playoffs once since 2004, and it only clinched a berth in 2018 on the last day of the season. Avoiding the dreaded play-in should be a top priority.
15. Brooklyn Nets (31-28)
Previous: 12
When will Ben Simmons debut? The Nets could use the three-time All-Star's services as soon as possible; Kyrie Irving is unavailable for the team's 13 remaining home games, as well as for away contests in New York and Toronto.
16. Los Angeles Clippers (30-31)
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Will Kawhi Leonard or Paul George return? The Clippers aren't expected to make much noise if they secure a playoff berth, but that could change if either player comes back this season.
17. Atlanta Hawks (28-30)
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Do the Hawks have a run in them? Loaded with the same players who made the Eastern Conference Finals last season, Atlanta has won 10 of 15 to sit on the cusp of the playoffs.
18. Charlotte Hornets (29-31)
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Can Montrezl Harrell help right the ship? The Hornets badly needed more production from their centers. Harrell - a former Sixth Man of the Year - isn't a natural starter, but he can stuff the stat sheet with the best of them.
19. Los Angeles Lakers (27-31)
Previous: 19
Are the playoffs about to slip away? Four games below .500 and narrowly holding a play-in spot, the Lakers will now be without Anthony Davis for at least four weeks. It's tense times in L.A.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (25-34)
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Who will be part of the Trail Blazers' future? The remainder of the 2021-22 campaign will help the organization determine if the likes of Josh Hart and Justise Winslow are part of the long-term outlook.
21. San Antonio Spurs (23-36)
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When will Gregg Popovich set the wins record? With the playoffs appearing unlikely for San Antonio, all eyes are on Coach Pop, who's just three victories away from the NBA's all-time mark.
22. New Orleans Pelicans (23-36)
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Will we see Zion this season? Whether Williamson suits up in 2021-22 is anyone's guess. If the Pelicans can't gain ground in the play-in race soon, they may as well shut him down.
23. Washington Wizards (27-31)
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Have the Wizards done enough to keep Bradley Beal long term? Washington's trade deadline acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis was a bold move, but it remains to be seen how he'll fit alongside Beal.
24. New York Knicks (25-34)
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Has the Tom Thibodeau era already run its course? Fresh off a playoff appearance and Coach of the Year win, Thibodeau and his hard-scrabble approach have fallen flat in 2021-22. The Knicks have their work cut out for them.
25. Sacramento Kings (22-38)
Previous: 29
How will the Kings maximize the new Domantas Sabonis-De'Aaron Fox pairing? Sacramento's future now hinges on accentuating the pair's strengths while hiding its weaknesses - namely, Sabonis' rim protection and Fox's long-range shooting.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-40)
Previous: 25
What exactly is Josh Giddey? The 19-year-old Australian is an enigma - a 6-foot-8 wing with spotty shooting and sensational court vision. Progressing faster than expected, the Thunder must soon decide whether he's the focal point of their rebuild or merely part of their young core.
27. Indiana Pacers (20-40)
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Who's a long-term piece? The Pacers are rebuilding, yet the newly acquired Tyrese Haliburton is their only former lottery pick under 24 years old. Who else is part of the future in Indiana?
28. Detroit Pistons (13-47)
Previous: 30
Will the Pistons embrace a Cade Cunningham-Killian Hayes combo? Detroit's 2020 and 2021 first-round picks have only played half of their minutes together - to relatively strong results. The Pistons should experiment with their backcourt of the future more often.
29. Houston Rockets (15-43)
Previous: 28
Is Kevin Porter the long-term solution at the point? The USC product's scoring and efficiency have dropped from a year ago. Porter is also registering a team-high 3.5 turnovers per game.
30. Orlando Magic (13-47)
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What's the backcourt core? The Magic look set with Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, but Markelle Fultz's comeback could complicate things. Starting all three leaves Orlando small, so someone's likely the odd man out.