National Basketball Association

2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Heat, Nuggets, Bucks Make Playoff Push In Week 21

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mar 12, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after Miami scores a basket against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 21 of NBA Power Rankings, the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks are all making strong pushes to secure playoff spots.

With just under a month of regular season action left in the 2016-17 NBA campaign, everything we thought we knew about the league's landscape has been flipped upside down.

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are locks for the NBA Finals? There's a new No. 1 in the West, and the defending champs have now lost six of their last nine games.

The Miami Heat are a non-playoff team with an 11-30 record in mid-January? They're now 0.5 games out of a playoff spot. The Milwaukee Bucks are down and out following Jabari Parker's injury? They've passed the Chicago Bulls for the East's 8-seed.

The Denver Nuggets are still a year away because of their losing record? They're suddenly in the driver's seat for the West's final playoff spot.

With the NBA's heavyweights looking vulnerable, teams like the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards surging, and teams honing in on late-season playoff pushes, it's time to take a look atwhere everyone stands in our Week 21 NBA Power Rankings.

Mar 9, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers

20-47

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 29th

However, as much fun as David Nwaba's rise to rotation minutes from out of nowhere has been, isn't it a bit alarming to see him starting games over D'Angelo Russell?

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers

24-42

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 28th

On the plus side, Justin Anderson is fitting in well enough, Richaun Holmes has been productive in extended minutes and we've been enjoying all the recent Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot sightings, with the French rookie pouring in 18 points off the bench in that win over Los Angeles.

Mar 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando Magic

24-44

Last week: 1-4Last rank: 25th

Even with Aaron Gordon playing at his proper position and Payton looking like a starting point guard, there aren't many positive ways to spin the last week.

Next: No. 27

Mar 6, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) dunks the ball during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings

26-41

Last week: 1-4Last rank: 27th

It took a home contest against the floundering Magic to snap that eight-game losing streak, but even without a franchise player or a blue chip prospect waiting in the wings, at least there's still some young talent to enjoy here.

Mar 11, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks

26-41

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 26th

With double-digit losses to the Bucks and Pistons, not to mention an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Linsanity and the lowly Nets, it's hard to even appreciate Carmelo Anthony joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Elvin Hayes as the only players in NBA history to score 10,000 points for two different teams.

Mar 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) in the fourth quarter against New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Nets win 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports

Brooklyn Nets

12-52

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 30th

Wins over the Grizzlies and Knicks this week, on a related note, moved the Nets to 6-15 when Lin plays. Here's hoping he can stay healthier in the second year of his Brooklyn deal.

Mar 11, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns

22-45

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 23rd

That home loss to the Lakers was ugly, but a competitive loss to the red-hot Wizards, another competitive loss to the playoff-desperate Blazers and a road win over Dallas — punctuated by 38 points and the game-winner from Devin Booker — were at least respectable.

Next: No. 23

Mar 11, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) shoots the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (33) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 125-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Charlotte Hornets

29-38

Last week: 2-3Last rank: 24th

For a team that started its season 19-14, there will be questions to answer about how Steve Clifford's squad lost 24 of its next 34 games to fall four games out of a playoff spot. With only 15 games remaining, it's going to take near perfection and a bit of luck to turn this midseason slump back into a postseason berth.

Mar 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts to a call against the LA Clippers during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls

32-35

Last week: 1-4Last rank: 17th

Mirotic finding his stroke was a welcome sight after falling out of Fred Hoiberg's rotation, as were Chicago's 115 points against Charlotte after putting up a pathetic 26 points in the first half of a 20-point loss to Boston the game before.

Next: No. 21

Mar 11, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 125-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans

26-40

Last week: 1-2Last rank: 21st

The answer is neither; Jordan Crawford is back in the NBA! That's right ladies and gentlemen, Steezy is back in the league and has averaged 16.0 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting from downtown in his first three games for the Pellies. Talk about keeping those faint playoff hopes alive!

Next: No. 20

Mar 7, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts after scoring his 30,000th point during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Mavericks

28-38

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 19th

It's unfortunate losses to the Suns and Raptors probably ended the Dallas Mavericks' distant playoff hopes, but with Dirk back for at least another season, hopefully a young core of Harrison Barnes, Nerlens Noel, Seth Curry and Yogi Ferrell will be enough for a postseason berth next year.

Next: No. 19

Mar 11, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) motions to the crowd after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies

37-30

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 10th

We won't get to see what the Grizzlies' core can do together this season, but if Vince Carter can just do what he did in his first game as a starter — 24 points on 8-of-8 shooting — they may be fine without Parsons. Sounds simple enough, right? Snapping back to reality, Memphis' 15-16 record since the start of 2017 has dropped the Grizz to seventh in the standings.

Mar 12, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Miami Heat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers

34-32

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 13th

Luckily, the Pacers have been able to climb to sixth in the conference standings despite the sporadic fluctuation. The question is what — if anything — they can do in a first round matchup with the Wizards or Celtics should they hang on to their current playoff spot.

Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) signals a play in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves

28-38

Last week: 3-1Last rank: 22nd

Karl-Anthony Towns is putting up monstrous numbers, Nemanja Bjelica is contributing off the bench and Ricky Rubio just posted a career-high 19 assists in a victory over John Wall's Wizards. As winners in seven of their last 10 games, could the Wolves somehow sneak into the postseason?

Next: No. 16

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) and guard Khris Middleton (22) and forward Mirza Teletovic (35) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks

32-34

Last week: 4-1Last rank: 20th

Though wins over losing teams like Philly, New York, Minnesota and even Indiana weren't particularly impressive, the Bucks are suddenly only one game behind the Pistons for the East's 7-seed, and 0.5 games ahead of Chicago and Miami as the 8-seed.

Next: No. 15

Mar 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) points to his wrist after guard Damian Lillard (0) made a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the overtime at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers

29-36

Last week: 3-1Last rank: 18th

Unfortunately, that controversial finish in Portland leaves the Blazers two games behind the Nuggets for the eighth seed. At the very least, Rip City can take solace in Nurkic's red-hot start, with the Bosnian Beast pouring in perhaps the best game of his career last week: 28 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, six blocks and two steals in a win over the Sixers.

Next: No. 14

Mar 11, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Pistons

33-33

Last week: 3-1Last rank: 15th

That win over Cleveland doesn't look as great with the Cavs slumping, but Jackson has averaged 21.8 points and 5.3 assists per game over the team's last four wins…compared to six points and five boards in Detroit's only loss within that same five-game stretch.

Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (right) talks with Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (left) after DeRozan received a technical foul during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors

39-28

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 12th

DeMar DeRozan and company are doing all they can to sustain that two-game lead over the Hawks in the standings, and for now it's been good enough. With 10 of their last 15 games coming against teams that still have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs, however, the path won't be easy.

Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates a basket in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers

40-27

Last week: 3-2Last rank: 9th

Blake Griffin has taken on more of a passive role when it comes to the offensive end, while Chris Paul is as masterful as ever. But after losing a crucial head-to-head with the Jazz to fall two games out of the 4-seed, we have to wonder if Lob City will even make it out of the first round without home-court advantage.

Mar 8, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10, right) celebrates a play with guard Dennis Schroder (17) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 110 – 105. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks

37-29

Last week: 3-2Last rank: 16th

With Dennis Schroder, Paul Millsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. all playing terrific basketball at the moment, the Hawks have finally found their post-trade deadline groove. Toronto is still in the driver's seat for the 4-seed, but the Hawks have a fighting chance…if they can somehow make it through Washington, Milwaukee, Boston and Cleveland (twice) over the next few weeks.

March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) react during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets

32-35

Last week: 4-1Last rank: 14th

From Nikola Jokic being perhaps the NBA's best passing big to scoring explosions from Wilson Chandler to Mason Plumlee finding his groove in the Mile High City to Jamal Murray being a legitimate force off the bench, everything is rounding into form for Denver. Well, except for former lottery pick Emmanuel Mudiay, who now finds himself on the outside of the rotation looking in.

Next: No. 9

Mar 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after hitting a 2 point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder

37-29

Last week: 2-1Last rank: 11th

However, as much as Russ is still the story here, we should probably point out how much the Oklahoma City Thunder missed Victor Oladipo. Since he returned from his back injury, OKC is 2-1, with wins over the Spurs and Jazz. The young shooting guard is also averaging 19.3 points per game in that span.

Next: No. 8

Mar 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) celebrates with guard Isaiah Thomas (4) after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Boston Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors 99-86. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics

42-25

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 6th

The Celtics followed up a 14-point loss to the Clippers with a dominant road win against the mighty (albeit shorthanded) Warriors. Then came a 20-point loss to Denver…followed by a 20-point win over Chicago where the defense once again clamped down, limiting the Bulls to 26 first half points. How about a little consistency, guys?

Mar 10, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts to a call on the floor during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 103-102. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors

52-14

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 4th

With the Splash Brothers slumping from three-point range, the Dubs lost three straight regular season games for the first time since November of 2013. Will they figure things out and get KD back in time to make good on everyone's preseason NBA Finals predictions?

Mar 9, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers

43-22

Last week: 1-3Last rank: 3rd

Sure, King James also sat out in two of those losses, but with Andrew Bogut's Cavs tenure limited to two minutes, Kyle Korver banged up, Kevin Love still out and J.R. Smith barely back now, the defending champs need to start getting healthy again.

Mar 11, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra stands in front of his players during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat

32-35

Last week: 3-1Last rank: 8th

Oh, and in a week filled with Dion Waiters daggers, did we mention how much we love Dion Waiters daggers? At this point, everyone should be rooting for Miami to snag that eighth playoff seed, since that would gift the world with at least four games of Dion vs. his old team.

Next: No. 4

Mar 5, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) celebrates after a play against the Sacramento Kings ahead of Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Utah Jazz defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Utah Jazz

42-25

Last week: 3-1Last rank: 7th

That win over Lob City puts two games of separation between Utah and Los Angeles for the 4-seed, and though Derrick Favors' ongoing absence is troublesome, the Jazz have the pieces to finally make good on the potential of this team's young core.

Next: No. 3

Mar 11, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the second half in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Wizards won in overtime 125-124. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards

41-25

Last week: 4-1Last rank: 5th

However, good teams find ways to win games. Even after Monday's loss dropped Washington back to third in the standings after a brief stint at No. 2, the Wizards have now won 25 of their 34 games since the start of 2017. Can the playoffs just start already?

Next: No. 2

Mar 12, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets

46-21

Last week: 2-2Last rank: 2nd

James Harden was spectacular in particular. Everyone will remember Kawhi Leonard's game-saving block on the Beard, but don't forget Harden had 39 points and 12 dimes to lead his team in that contest, followed by a 38-11-10 triple-double in his other head-to-head with a fellow MVP candidate on the week.

Next: No. 1

Mar 6, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Houston Rockets during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs

52-14

Last week: 4-1Last rank: 1st

Sure, Kevin Durant being out is obviously the main catalyst behind this dramatic turnaround in the standings, but it's remarkable that the Spurs were able to keep Spurs-ing like this the season after Tim Duncan retired and the Dubs added KD. Kawhi Leonard is a legitimate MVP candidate, and for those who put a lot of stock in head-to-head showdowns, a loss against Russell Westbrook deserves to be overlooked after what Kawhi did to James Harden down the stretch of their recent matchup:

Where does your favorite NBA team land in Week 21 and where SHOULD they be? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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