Over the final quarter of the season, some big questions remain unanswered will the Lakers make a playoff push to keep LeBron James' playoff streak alive? Who will emerge as the best team from the cluttered top of the East? Which team will end up with the worst record and thus, the best chance at the No. 1 pick in the draft?
There is also a nagging thought over these final few games nobody is good enough to beat the Warriors, who have rounded into form in 2019.
With the season now in the home stretch, here's a look at where all 30 teams stand:
30. New York Knicks
Record: 11-47, 15th in East
Offensive rating: 104.3, 27th
Defensive rating: 112.6, 28th
One thing to know: The Knicks have just two wins in 2019. The rest of their season is an open audition for young players to prove themselves, while the team tries to give itself the best chance at a No. 1 pick in June.
29. Phoenix Suns
Record: 11-48, 15th in West
Offensive rating: 104.1, 28th
Defensive rating: 113.9, 29th
One thing to know: Lost in the Luka Doncic hype has been Deandre Ayton's performance this year. The No. 1 overall pick is averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block per game, and showing improvement on defense, the biggest pre-draft concern about him.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 12-46, 14th in East
Offensive rating: 105.4, 26th
Defensive rating: 116.3, 30th
One thing to know: Perhaps the Cavs' lone race in the final stretch of the season will be trying to avoid posting the worst defensive season of all-time which they're currently on pace to do.
27. Chicago Bulls
Record: 14-44, 13th in East
Offensive rating: 103.2, 30th
Defensive rating: 111.6, 24th
One thing to know: In four games with the Bulls, Otto Porter Jr., acquired by trade before the deadline, is a +21 on the floor. Ironically, it comes at a juncture of the season where the Bulls should not trying to beat teams.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 26-33, 13th in West
Offensive rating: 112.3, 8th
Defensive rating: 111.6, 23rd
One thing to know: The Pelicans enter the stretch run with the most awkward dynamic in the league playing Anthony Davis, perhaps against their well and to their own benefit, or sitting him against his wish and the NBA's desire. It's an ugly situation that's not going away.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 23-36, 14th in West
Offensive rating: 103.9, 29th
Defensive rating: 106.9, 7th
One thing to know: The Grizzlies are one of several teams that are incentivized to not win over the rest of the season the Celtics get their draft pick if it falls outside of the top 8.
24. Atlanta Hawks
Record: 19-39, 12th in East
Offensive rating: 105.8, 25th
Defensive rating: 112.6, 27th
One thing to know: The Hawks have shown promise in the new year, which is all a rebuilding team can ask for. They're a modest 8-14 in 2019 while Trae Young is up to 39% shooting from three-point range in February.
23. Washington Wizards
Record: 24-34, 11th in East
Offensive rating: 109.6, 15th
Defensive rating: 112.4, 26th
One thing to know: The Wizards' outlook may be bleak, but Bradley Beal has proven he's a true superstar this season. Since John Wall went down with a heel injury (and will be out for at least a year), Beal has averaged 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game on 47% shooting.
22. Dallas Mavericks
Record: 26-31, 12th in West
Offensive rating: 108.3, 20th
Defensive rating: 108.6, 14th
One thing to know: The Mavs are 20-9 at home and 6-22 on the road. That chasm is the difference between the Mavs being in the playoff hunt vs. heading toward the lottery (their pick goes to the Hawks if it lands outside the top five).
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 27-30, 11th in West
Offensive rating: 110.4, 12th
Defensive rating: 110.4, 20th
One thing to know: The Wolves could get some key players back in the fold when they return to action. They're just four games back of the 8th seed. Is there a playoff push in store for a team that's had one of the most turbulent seasons in the NBA?
20. Miami Heat
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Record: 26-30, 9th in East
Offensive rating: 106.0, 24th
Defensive rating: 106.6, 6th
One thing to know: Team president Pat Riley recently said he won't leave the team until they get back to championship contention. He may be in Miami for a while.
19. Orlando Magic
Record: 27-32, 10th in East
Offensive rating: 106.6, 22nd
Defensive rating: 107.7, 9th
One thing to know: The Magic entered the All-Star break on a high note, winners of five straight and seven of their last eight. Two big questions for their final stretch of the season: can they keep it up to make a playoff run, and will the newly acquired Markelle Fultz play?
18. Detroit Pistons
Record: 26-30, 8th in East
Offensive rating: 106.5, 23rd
Defensive rating: 108.1, 10th
One thing to know: The Pistons desperately want to make the playoffs. They added some pieces at the trade deadline in Thon Maker and Wayne Ellington who add versatility and shooting. We'll see if it helps them reach their goal.
17. Charlotte Hornets
Record: 27-30, 7th in East
Offensive rating: 110.2, 14th
Defensive rating: 110.9, 21st
One thing to know: The story of the Hornets' season has once again been about Kemba Walker's lack of help. To put it in perspective, Walker has scored over 600 points more than his next-closest teammate, Jeremy Lamb. Walker has scored almost a quarter of the Hornets' points this season.
16. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 32-27, 8th in West
Offensive rating: 111.0, 11th
Defensive rating: 110.2, 19th
One thing to know: The Clippers sold off their best player, Tobias Harris, at the trade deadline. The Celtics get their pick if it falls outside of the lottery. The Clippers would be wise to fall outside of the playoff picture.
15. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 30-29, 6th in East
Offensive rating: 109.4, 16th
Defensive rating: 109.8, 17th
One thing to know: The Nets have been a feel-good story this season, thanks to a couple of breakout seasons and the depth of their squad. They'll be tested in the second half of the year, however, as they play one of the toughest remaining schedules, according to NBA.com's John Schumann .
14. Sacramento Kings
Record: 30-27, 9th in West
Offensive rating: 108.7, 18th
Defensive rating: 109.9, 18th
One thing to know: Anecdotally, it feels as though the Kings' fun, exciting season their best in a decade will end with them outside of the playoffs because... (next slide)
13. Los Angeles Lakers
Offensive rating: 107.4, 21st
Defensive rating: 108.4, 12th
One thing to know: ... LeBron James and the Lakers are on the Kings' heels for the final playoff spot. James recently said he's "activated" Playoff LeBron mode. Perhaps that won't be enough to get the Lakers into the postseason, but until it doesn'thappen, we believe the Lakers will get to their final destination.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Record: 33-26, 7th in West
Offensive rating: 112.4, 6th
Defensive rating: 111.5, 22nd
One thing to know: The Spurs' Friday matchup with the Raptors in Toronto will be one to watch, with DeMar DeRozan saying his first return to Toronto will be "one for the ages."
11. Indiana Pacers
Record: 38-20, 3rd in East
Offensive rating: 109.3, 17th
Defensive rating: 104.1, 2nd
One thing to know: Give the Pacers credit. Following the loss of Victor Oladipo, the team has not hung their heads. Instead, they won six of their last seven following a four-game skid. They're not going away, but it's hard to see them keeping up in the stacked East.
10. Utah Jazz
Record: 32-25, 6th in West
Offensive rating: 108.4, 19th
Defensive rating: 105.4, 4th
One thing to know: Just as they did last season, the Jazz are surging in the second half of the season. They're the 5th-best team in 2019, with the second-best defense. With one of the easiest schedules remaining, don't be surprised to see the Jazz climb the standings.
9. Houston Rockets
Record: 33-24, 5th in West
Offensive rating: 114.3, 2nd
Defensive rating: 112.2, 25th
One thing to know: James Harden's historic scoring streak has gotten much of the attention, but entering the final stretch of the season, the Rockets are healthier and deeper than they've been all season. There will be two priorities: lightening Harden's load, so he's well-rested for the playoffs and trying to turn around their defense, which has fallen off big-time from last year.
8. Portland Trail Blazers
Record: 34-23, 4th in West
Offensive rating: 112.4, 7th
Defensive rating: 109.4, 16th
One thing to know: The Blazers added some modest depth at the deadline in Rodney Hood and Enes Kanter. The team remains as steady as ever, and though they may not look like contenders at the moment, all it takes is a few breaks to be competing in the Western Conference Finals.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 37-20, 3rd in West
Offensive rating: 110.4, 13th
Defensive rating: 105.2, 3rd
One thing to know: The Thunder may pose the biggest threat to the Warriors, but before they get to the playoffs, they'll have to survive a brutal season-ending schedule.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Record: 37-21, 5th in East
Offensive rating: 111.8, 10th
Defensive rating: 108.4, 11th
One thing to know: The Sixers are owners of the most talented "Big Four" in the East. Chemistry issues and depth will continue to be an issue, but when the Sixers get to the playoffs, they'll own the talent advantage over just about everybody.
5. Boston Celtics
Record: 37-21, 4th in East
Offensive rating: 111.9, 9th
Defensive rating: 105.7, 5th
One thing to know: The Celtics continue to have the make-up of a contender, both in depth and statistical profile. They just need to get out of their way. If chemistry issues can be put aside, the Celtics remain dangerous.
4. Denver Nuggets
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Record: 39-18, 2nd in West
Offensive rating: 113.4, 3rd
Defensive rating: 108.4, 13th
One thing to know: What is likely the Nuggets' preferred starting lineup Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray has played just 46 minutes this season. They're a +29 in those minutes. If Denver can get healthy and stay healthy, we'll find out if they're ready to be a true playoff threat this year.
3. Toronto Raptors
Record: 43-16, 2nd in East
Offensive rating: 112.4, 5th
Defensive rating: 107.3, 8th
One thing to know: The Raptors have some chemistry issues to sort out over the rest of the regular season, including figuring out how to integrate Kawhi Leonard into their offense more naturally. That they've been this good without a ton of cohesion is impressive, but will it hold up in the playoffs?
2. Golden State Warriors
Record: 41-16, 1st in West
Offensive rating: 116.0, 1st
Defensive rating: 109.2, 15th
One thing to know: The Warriors are the Warriors. They're 10-2 since welcoming back DeMarcus Cousins and 16-3 in 2019. It looks increasingly likely that nobody in the West will truly be able to threaten them.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Offensive rating: 113.0, 4th
Defensive rating: 103.5, 1st
One thing to know: No team on paper is as impressive as the Bucks. They own the best record in the league, the best defense, the fourth-best offense, the best point margin, the MVP frontrunner, and possible Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year candidates. GM Jon Horst told Business Insider that he's confident their group can do something "special" this year.
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