NBA Power Rankings, Week 20: The Bucks and Nuggets are ready for a title.

The Boston Celtics’ 48-12 record and currentThe Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks were tf January to the beginning of February raised many doubts about whether they made the right choice in hiring Doc Rivers. As legitimate title contenders, Denver and Milwaukee are now the two teams trying to climb back to the top of the NBA Power Ranking.wo title candidates who were having difficulty establishing their worth not too long ago. The Nuggets had lost three straight games going into the All-Star break, and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic was starting to appear a touch lethargic. The Bucks’ eight-game losing streak from the end o 11-game winning run clearly have the league’s attention. The Nuggets have won six straiggamht es, while the Bucks have won five straight. Although this is the longest winning streak in the league at the moment, Boston is now right behind them.

Two superstars who have won numerous MVP awards early in their careers, Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have placed their teams in a position where they can still challenge for the top slot in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively. The Bucks currently hold a tight grip on the second place in the East, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks starting to suffer. They may be 8.5 games behind the Celtics for the top spot.

The Nuggets are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 42-19 this season, barely half a game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top slot in the Western Conference, thanks to their six-game winning run. The Nuggets were selected by NBA reporters at the All-Star break as the club having the second-best chance to win the 2024 NBA Finals, right behind the Celtics. Denver is starting to show signs of being able to win the title again, especially with Jokic’s recent play and the continued improvement of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Since Boston has maintained solid dominance over the rest of the NBA since the 2023–24 season began, ultimately, all roads still lead to Boston. Even though the Nuggets and Bucks were having trouble a few weeks ago, things in this league move swiftly. Denver and Milwaukee are two teams near the top of this week’s NBA Power Rankings, and they’re heating up just in time.

2, Future dates: at DEN (3/7), at CLE (3/5), and at PHX (3/9)
023–24 Note: 48-1
The Celtms extremely realistic, yet dominating weak teams. The Celtics extended their winning streak to 10 games only last week when they defeated the Golden State Warriors anics are without a doubt the team to beat this year. At this moment, Boston’s season of 60 wins seed Dallas Mavericks at home, two clubs that have been on a recent upswing in the Western Conference.

the squad isn’t exactly
With five games on the road this coming week, the Celtics will undoubtedly put their skills to the test. Since Cleveland, Denver, and Phoenix are all difficult venues to play, Boston use this week as a preview of the playoffs. will

023–24 Note: 48-12, Future dates: at DEN (3/7), at CLE (3/5), and at PHX (3/9)

The Celtics are without a doubt the team to beat this year. At this moment, Boston’s season of 60 wins seems extremely realistic, yet the squad isn’t exactly dominating weak teams. The Celtics extended their winning streak to 10 games only last week when they defeated the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks at home, two clubs that have been on a recent upswing in the Western Conference.

th five gaWimes on the road this coming week, the Celtics will undoubtedly put their skills to the test. Since Cleveland, Denver, and Phoenix are all difficult venues to play, Boston will use this week as a preview of the playoffs.

The Thunder’s youth, athleticism, and apparent sense of freedom on the field are the primary factors making thduring transitions to making threes frequently. Even with Chet Holmgren, they can fall short on the inside. This might prove to be their undoing when the playoffs get around.
em so dangerous. The Thunder’s offensive game has no vulnerabilities at all, from setting the pace
3. Denver Nuggets (2023–24) (+1) Note: 42-19, Next up: games against PHX (3/5), BOS (3/7), and UTA (3/9)
intWith a three-game losing streak goingo the All-Star break, many started to say Denver was starting to appear weak and uninspired.  oWell,ccasionally all certain teams want is a tiny bit of