With the NBA Playoffs beginning in two weeks multiple teams in each conference are jockeying for ideal playoff position. So, they can avoid the Play-In Tournament and find their momentum heading into the postseason. Here are the most dangerous teams heading into the playoffs in the association.
4 Most Dangerous Teams Heading into the NBA Playoffs
Oklahoma City Thunder
One of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference is the currently third-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are a young team that is gelling at the right time. Led by the young duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2023-2024 MVP Candidate) and newcomer Chet Holmgren. Gilgeous-Alexander is currently recovering from an injury but when healthy he is one of the most dynamic players in the association. He can attack the paint, pull up from the perimeter, or just find a teammate in an ideal position for a high-percentage shot opportunity. His playmaking has the Thunder ready for their first postseason since the 2019-2020 season.
Additionally, OKC has one of the youngest and lengthiest teams in the association and has a top-ten defense in the association. They play for each other, and they are always in a great position to force opposing teams into mistakes or bad shots. That allows them to take advantage of their youth and get out and run on the fast break and get easy buckets before the defense is set.
The biggest weakness for the Thunder is their playoff inexperience. However, having one of the best playmakers in the association should offset that. If the moment is not too big for them, the Thunder will be a hard out in the postseason.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The other team to look out for in the Western Conference is the Minnesota Timberwolves. They are another team who is very young, but they have blazed through their opponents during this season. Led by Anthony Edwards a superstar who is one of the best athletes in the league. He is a player who has his team in a position to challenge the Denver Nuggets for Western Conference supremacy.
Minnesota’s biggest weakness will be if they have a strong enough supporting cast to support Edwards. If Karl Anthony-Towns can return and be as good as he was before his knee injury. That will add another dimension to the Timberwolves offense and give them another dependable scorer. However, they will need a third scorer to emerge if they want to make a deep playoff run in the postseason.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most dangerous teams in either conference. They got one of their biggest weapons this week with the return of Joel Embiid. He has six games left to get back into game shape, but if that happens the Sixers have 28-8 record when Embiid is on the floor. Before his knee injury, Embiid had Philly as one of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference and the league.
One of the biggest weaknesses for the Sixers is their supporting cast. They have gotten a chance to gain confidence in the last few months without Embiid. That time off should help them in the postseason especially when Embiid gets double or triple-teamed. It will be up to his teammates to make an opposing team pay for their defensive aggressiveness on Embiid. If their supporting cast can make enough shots the Sixers can make a deep playoff run and challenge the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics
Last but certainly not least, the Boston Celtics are the most dangerous team in the postseason. They have the best starting five in the league and have the deepest bench in the league. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown the Celtics should at least make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Tatum in particular is one of the leading candidates for the 2023-2024 Most Valuable Player award. He is averaging 27.2 points per game, and has a 55.3% field goal percentage, and 38.0% three-point field goal percentage. If Tatum can continue to play like he has throughout the season. There are not many teams who can compete with them when they play to their strengths and do not beat themselves. Boston will raise the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season.
