Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard
James Harden(13) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors guard
Klay Thompson(11) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
In our latest edition of NBA Playoff Power Rankings, we examine the NBA’s Final Four — the Warriors, Rockets, Cavs and Hawks
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As we prepare to begin the Conference Finals portion of the NBA Playoffs, the top-4 teams based on the NBA’s regular season are all still in contention to play for an NBA Championship. Which is what you’d expect — and what you’d want from postseason competition.
The four best teams from this season are in the NBA Semifinals. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Warriors, with little resistance are in the Western Conference Finals after disposing of the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Rockets qualified for the WCF after beating the Dallas Mavericks and putting together an epic comeback effort against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Boston Celtics and then by topping Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls — again. The Atlanta Hawks — a new face — are in the ECF after beating the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards in six games, apiece.
Enough jockeying though, it’s time for us to finally take the next step in crowning this year’s NBA Champion.
Who’s still in: Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets
Who’s out: Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs,Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies
Here are this week’s NBA Playoff Power Rankings.
16. Toronto Raptors, L, First Round to WAS
15. Boston Celtics, L, First Round To CLE
14. New Orleans Pelicans, L, First Round To GS
13. Portland Trail Blazers, L, First Round To MEM
12. Milwaukee Bucks, L, First Round To CHI
11. Brooklyn Nets, L, First Round To ATL
10. Dallas Mavericks, L, First Round To HOU
9. San Antonio Spurs, L, First Round To LAC
Next: Washington Wizards