Week 19 NBA power rankings: 10 nastiest NBA teams right now, including the red hot Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last season. However, things have turned around for Motown’s favorite Bball team in a huge way this year. After a historically bad showing, the Pistons have been even better than just competitive and they are actually flirting with having a top-four record in the Eastern Conference heading into March.

Sure, this isn’t a peak period for the conference. However, new head coach JB Bickerstaff and his staff deserve all the flowers for one of the best year-to-year turnarounds in recent NBA history.

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The Indiana Pacers had their fanbase very concerned over the first couple of months of the season. While they were never expected to be a defensive juggernaut, the regression of their offense and the poor play of top star Tyrese Haliburton confused many. However, things have turned around in a major way over the last month and the team looks like the team we expected all along. Their offense is playing like a top 10 unit again (116.4 PPG) as it has helped them rise back into a top-four spot in the East.

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The Houston Rockets have been one of the best stories in the NBA this season. After showing some very nice growth under Ime Udoka last season, they have continued that momentum and evolved into an elite team in the West. Aleperen Sengun’s breakout 2023-24 season was no fluke as he has earned All-Star honors this year.

Yet, they have one issue that may be problematic come playoff time. While they are a very talented defensive team, they are a middle of the road offensive squad. And that could lead to trouble against the elites of the conference this spring.

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The expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this season were not high. That’s what comes with having a new head coach without experience at any level. However, they have gotten better as the season has gone along. Yet just days before the trade deadline, they completed one of the most surprising trades in NBA history when they shipped out Anthony Davis in a multi-team deal that will get them Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

The MVP candidate from last season joins a team that has been red-hot going into the All-Star break. This is a team that should be able to fill it up on offense once they continue to build confidence. But they have one major weakness in the front court. And that could be disastrous in the playoffs against teams like Denver.

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The Memphis Grizzlies were expected to be far better this season with superstar Ja Morant back. So far, the results have been very good. With their superstar back they are the best-scoring team in the league (123.3 PPG) and own one of the best records in not just the West but the whole NBA. However, their defense is near the bottom five in the league. It is a major weakness and why they may struggle against the West’s best in some big games this spring.

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The New York Knicks have been a surprisingly dominant offensive force this season. Their starting five, which includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, have gelled faster on the offensive side than many NBA pundits expected. However, they still have a ways to go on defense. And that weakness has shown in some dominant losses to East elites, the Cavaliers and Celtics (twice) over the last couple of weeks. If this team can’t get better in big games on D, they still have a semifinals ceiling despite having more stars than they did last season.

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When you have the best player on the planet, the Denver Nuggets will always be a very competitive squad. Yet, over the first couple of months, the team struggled, and it led to rumors about key members of their championship team being moved. However, over the last month, they’ve played very well and are closing in on having the second best record in a tough conference. Never doubt a team led by the “Dad Bod God” Nikola Jokic.

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The defending champion Boston Celtics don’t have the best record in the NBA. However, the regular season feels like a dress rehearsal for the spring. The team has played very well and is again one of the best teams in the game. But it feels like head coach Joe Mazzula is doing everything he can to make sure his team stays healthy. And peaks as we get closer to the postseason later this year.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have twice been hit by huge injuries this season. However, they have endured and remained one of the best squads in the NBA. Their defense has been among the best in the game (106.0 points against per game) throughout the season. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have felt like a new-age Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Now, they are fully healthy and can really show just how scary they can be over the final months of the season.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have been better than expected this season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. They remain a top-10 level team on defense. However, he has helped elevate their offense to new heights. And they are among the best in the NBA right now (122.9 PPG). They are deep and play with a lot of effort. There is no reason to believe they won’t be a top-five team in the league for the rest of the season.