NBA Power Rankings: Heat remain consistent, Warriors showcase potential with Draymond Green set to return

We’ve got less than 15 games left in the 2021-22 NBA regular season, which means the playoff picture is starting to round into shape. That also means the power rankings will start to reflect the standings more, as teams get locked into their seeding.

The Miami Heat remain the consistent force in the Eastern Conference. With the 76ers, Nets and Bucks all having letdown moments, the Heat continue to play great basketball. Victor Oladipo is back, as is Markieff Morris. Miami’s rotation is becoming whole at the right time and this team looks destined for the top seed in the conference.

On the other side of the country, the Golden State Warriors will be getting a major piece back when Draymond Green returns Monday. The Warriors already gave fans a taste of what they could become when they demolished the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night. Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins played up to their potential, while Jordan Poole looked like a star. And this was all done with Stephen Curry taking a backseat. This team showed why it was considered unbeatable just a few years ago.

The usual contenders round out the top 10, but the Dallas Mavericks continue to impress despite being limited around Luka Doncic. The rotation guys have taken on bigger roles, which usually works out poorly in the long run. We’ll see if Dallas can do some damage in the playoffs or if this is just a regular season mirage.

Here’s a look at the updated power rankings.