NBA power rankings: Which remaining playoff team is the biggest title contender?
The field is set for the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Eight teams are still in the running to win the championship. And with the first round of playoffs now in the books, legitimate contenders are beginning to emerge.
Here are the power rankings for the remaining playoff teams:
More: 2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch
2024 NBA playoff power rankings
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
First round opponent: Cleveland 4, Orlando 3
Second-round opponent: Boston
Cleveland was the only team that played in a Game 7 during the first round, and it outlasted Orlando.
Donovan Mitchell deserves plenty of credit for keeping the Cavaliers' season alive. He racked up 39 points and nine rebounds in the elimination game.
Still, it'll be interesting to see how much help Mitchell gets when Cleveland faces Boston in the second round. There's also uncertainty surrounding the status of Jarrett Allen (ribs), who has missed the Cavaliers' last three games.
More: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
7. Indiana Pacers
First round opponent: Indiana 4, Milwaukee 2
Second-round opponent: New York
Indiana looked sharp against Milwaukee.
The Pacers lived up their name with their fast-paced offense, which is led by Tyrese Haliburton. Pascal Siakam also proved to be a high-level co-star with series averages of 22.3 points and 8.8 rebounds.
But it's worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) missed the entire series. And while Indiana can keep up with anyone on the scoreboard, it has the worst defensive rating of the remaining playoff teams.
More: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
6. Dallas Mavericks
First round opponent: Dallas 4, Los Angeles Clippers 2
Second-round opponent: Oklahoma City
Dallas won 12 of its final 15 regular-season games, and it kept rolling in its series against Los Angeles.
The Mavericks are led by the elite duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who averaged a combined 56.3 points per game against the Clippers. Dallas also showcased an improved defense that held Los Angeles to fewer than 100 points in three of the six games.
Doncic and Irving will surely continue to play at a high level against OKC. But the deciding factor will be if its defense continues to hold up against better competition.
More: OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
5. New York Knicks
First-round opponent: New York 4, Philadelphia 2
Second-round opponent: Indiana
New York got the short straw when it faced Philadelphia, which only fell to the play-in tournament because Joel Embiid missed time.
But the Knicks found a way to win the highly-competitive series, and Jalen Brunson played at an otherworldly level. He averaged 35.5 points and nine assists against the 76ers.
Similar to Mitchell and Cleveland, it's worth keeping an eye on how much help Brunson will get from his supporting cast in the second round. Still, this is a tough New York team that's already battle tested.
More: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
4. OKC Thunder
First-round opponent: OKC 4, New Orleans 0
Second-round opponent: Dallas
OKC entered the playoffs as the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history for either conference, and it showed out against New Orleans.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with averages of 27.3 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Thunder also held the Pelicans, who were without Zion Williamson, to fewer than 100 points in all four games.
OKC has an MVP candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander, the Coach of the Year winner in Mark Daigneault and a strong defense. The Thunder's inexperience is a concern, but the team is the top seed in the West for a reason.
More: Thunder vs Mavericks in NBA playoffs: Why OKC will win West semifinals and why it won't
3. Denver Nuggets
First-round opponent: Denver 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1
Second-round opponent: Minnesota 1, Denver 0
Denver is the defending champion, and it handled its business in the first round by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, who's expected to secure his third MVP in the last four seasons. They also have Jamal Murray, who hit two game-winners against the Lakers.
Denver would be higher on this list. However, its Game 1 home loss to Minnesota on Saturday dropped it to the No. 3 spot.
More: Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
First-round opponent: Minnesota 4, Phoenix 0
Second-round opponent: Minnesota 1, Denver 0
The Timberwolves have aced every test so far this postseason.
Minnesota swept a Phoenix team that had Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the first round. Anthony Edwards looked like the best player on the floor with averages of 33.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.6 asssists.
Minnesota then won Game 1 against Denver, the defending champs, on the road. The Timberwolves are playing great basketball on both ends of the floor, and they've established themselves as legitimate title contenders.
More: Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
1. Boston Celtics
First-round opponent: Boston 4, Miami 1
Second-round opponent: Cleveland
Boston had a hiccup when it suffered a Game 2 loss at home against Miami, which hit a franchise playoff-record 23 3-pointers.
But the Celtics won the next three games by an average of 22.3 points, and they showcased a balanced attack. Jaylen Brown (22.8 points), Derrick White (22.4) and Jayson Tatum (21.8) all averaged at least 20 points in the series.
Even with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) expected to miss the entire second round, Boston is the team to beat. It went 64-18 in the regular season, and it's the only team that ranks in the top three in both offensive rating (first) and defensive rating (second).
More: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoff series?
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA power rankings for the eight remaining playoff teams
