NBA Power Rankings: A defining stat for every squad

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

This week, we're picking each team's defining stat as the regular season begins to wind down.

1. Phoenix Suns (58-14)

Previous: 1

The Suns are the first team to rank top-three in both offensive and defensive rating since Golden State in 2016-17. Naturally, that team had the league's best record and won the championship.

2. Memphis Grizzlies (49-23)

Previous: 3

The Grizzlies lead the NBA in offensive rebounding, with big man Steven Adams pacing the entire association. They also score two more second-chance points per game than any other team.

3. Miami Heat (47-24)

Previous: 2

Good luck scoring inside on this Heat team. Miami sits atop the NBA by allowing just 40.8 points in the paint per game, the second-best mark by any team in the last five seasons.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (43-27)

Previous: 4

Philadelphia ranks third in the association in free-throw attempts (23.7) per game, with Joel Embiid accounting for about half of that amount. That number should continue to grow with James Harden now in the fold.

5. Milwaukee Bucks (44-27)

Previous: 7

The Bucks outscore teams late in close games this season with a 15.0 net rating in 104 clutch minutes. That's the second-highest mark in the league behind Phoenix's absurd 28.7 net rating in the clutch.

6. Golden State Warriors (47-23)

Previous: 6

Draymond Green is the heartbeat of the Warriors' defense. The team is allowing 107 points per 100 possessions when the four-time All-Star isn't on the floor.

7. Utah Jazz (45-26)

Previous: 5

The Jazz are clearly a different team when Rudy Gobert isn't in the lineup. Utah is 7-8 without its defensive anchor, surrendering nearly 120 points per contest during that span.

8. Boston Celtics (44-28)

Previous: 9

After a slow start, you can trace Boston's successful turnaround to its stingy defense. The Celtics rank first in the league with a 105.5 defensive rating.

9. Dallas Mavericks (43-28)

Previous: 8

Dallas doesn't create enough extra opportunities on the offensive end. Although the Mavericks still rank top-10 based on offensive efficiency, they only average a league-low 10.7 second-chance points per game.

10. Denver Nuggets (42-30)

Previous: 11

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, cloning Nikola Jokic still isn't possible. Denver ranks as one of the league's best scoring teams when he plays - and among the worst when he sits.

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-30)

Previous: 13

Since All-Star Weekend, Minnesota has the best record in the league by winning percentage with nine wins and two losses. However, the Wolves have the second-hardest schedule remaining.

12. Chicago Bulls (41-29)

Previous: 10

The Bulls have fallen off a cliff since they last stood atop the East on Feb. 25. Their 108.4 offensive rating is the fifth-worst in the league during that span.

13. Brooklyn Nets (37-34)

Previous: 16

Lineups with both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving score more points than all but four two-man combinations in the league. If only they played more than seven games together this season.

14. Toronto Raptors (40-31)

Previous: 17

Having so many 6-foot-9 forwards is paying off for Toronto. The Raptors lead the NBA in deflections, sporting one of the highest marks since the league started tracking the stat in 2016.

15. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-30)

Previous: 12

Darius Garland's impact on Evan Mobley's sensational rookie year shouldn't be understated. When they're together, Cleveland posts a 6.3 net rating, but that craters to minus-4.4 with Garland on the bench.

16. Charlotte Hornets (36-35)

Previous: 18

At nearly 230 points per game, no NBA team plays in higher scoring contests than the Hornets. Being in the top four in points scored and bottom four in points allowed will do that.

17. Los Angeles Clippers (36-37)

Previous: 14

The Clippers have compiled an effective group of shooters. Luke Kennard is leading the league in 3-point percentage at 45.2%, and he's one of five L.A. players shooting above 36%.

18. Atlanta Hawks (35-36)

Previous: 15

Atlanta brought back the same coach and the majority of the same roster, but there's one key to understanding the Hawks' disappointing season. They have the seventh-worst clutch plus-minus this season.

19. New Orleans Pelicans (30-41)

Previous: 19

Zion Williamson has yet to suit up for a single game this season. First-year head coach Willie Green has done an admirable job keeping the Pelicans in the play-in tournament hunt without their franchise player.

20. Los Angeles Lakers (30-41)

Previous: 21

The Lakers have numerous problems, but perhaps none bigger than Anthony Davis' health. Injuries limited the eight-time All-Star to only 36 games a year ago, and he's played just one more than that in 2021-22.

21. New York Knicks (30-41)

Previous: 25

Tom Thibodeau's squad has been doing something right since the All-Star break, during which they've held opponents to a league-best 37.6 field goals per game. Offensive struggles, though, are what have the playoffs escaping them.

22. Washington Wizards (30-40)

Previous: 20

Washington's lack of outside shooting is among the reasons it sits outside the playoff picture. The Wizards are dead last in made threes per game (10.5).

23. San Antonio Spurs (27-44)

Previous: 23

The Spurs' offense is predicated on a heavy dose of shots from inside the 3-point arc. San Antonio scores a league-high 57.2% of its points on 2-point field goals.

24. Indiana Pacers (25-47)

Previous: 26

Another forgetful Pacers season has at least brought future promise in Tyrese Haliburton. Since arriving in Indiana via trade, Haliburton's managing career-best averages in points (17.4), assists (9.1), rebounds (4.3), and steals (1.9).

25. Portland Trail Blazers (26-44)

Previous: 22

The Blazers are among the worst transition teams in the league. Portland manages just 1.04 points per possession and shoots 49.6% in transition, which ranks tied for 30th and 28th, respectively.

26. Sacramento Kings (25-48)

Previous: 24

Sacramento's mediocre defense can be traced back to its lack of resistance on the interior. Opponents average 51.6 paint points against the Kings, which is the second-highest mark in the league.

27. Detroit Pistons (19-52)

Previous: 27

Detroit's lost in every way possible this year, but Cade Cunningham's impact is still noticeable. The Pistons are 1-15 (.063 winning percentage) when he's out, but a more respectable 17-38 (.309) when he plays.

28. Orlando Magic (19-53)

Previous: 29

Orlando needs to add a legitimate No. 1 scoring option. Cole Anthony leads the Magic with 17.2 points per game, the lowest average for any team's leading scorer.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-51)

Previous: 28

Despite another rebuilding season, there's reason for hope in Oklahoma City. In the 11 games since All-Star Weekend, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.7 points. He's one of only eight players to average over 30 points per game in that stretch.

30. Houston Rockets (17-54)

Previous: 30

One of the places Houston struggles the most is the free-throw line, shooting a league-worst 70.9%. Christian Wood simultaneously ranks first on the team in free-throw makes (196) and misses (122).