NBA Rankings Update: Round 2 of Playoffs

The Dunkel Index goes back to 1929, using the data available to power rank each and every team. From its roots in college football, the Dunkel Index has since expanded to many of the major sports, including the NBA.

We’re on to the conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs, and Dunkel’s NBA rankings have almost perfectly predicted the participants in the next round.

NBA Rankings

Of the eight teams remaining in the NBA playoffs, seven come in the top-seven of Dunkel’s rankings, with the lone outlier, the Atlanta Hawks, ranked 12th.

Here’s a complete list of where each team remaining in the playoffs stand in the Dunkel Index’s NBA rankings:

1. Utah Jazz
2. Phoenix Suns
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Atlanta Hawks (ranked 12th)

Utah remains the top team after their convincing 4-1 series win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Phoenix is next, just as they are in the West standings. The top-seeded Jazz and second-seed Suns could be on a collision course in the Western Conference Finals.

Philadelphia is the top-ranked team on the Dunkel Index, at third overall, and they’re also the top overall seed. 

Let’s check in on each of the NBA matchups and how Dunkel sees it playing out.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Utah Jazz

The Clippers and Jazz are set to begin their series on Tuesday night, a series that consists of two of the best teams in the NBA.

This is the premier matchup, according to the Dunkel Index, as the top-ranked team meets the fourth-ranked team.

Both teams have played at elite levels on both ends of the floor and should be in for a competitive series that feels likely to reach seven games. It took the Clippers seven games to get past the 9th-ranked Mavericks, while the Jazz took care of business against the 14th-ranked Grizzlies in five games.

The Jazz have opened Game 1 as four-point favorites.

Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns

In a loaded Western Conference, the Nuggets vs Suns is another series between two of the very best teams in the NBA.

Phoenix took Game 1 over Denver on Monday night, 122-105. Phoenix is the better team on both ends, but Nikola Jokic is the presumptive MVP and can change a game on his own.

The Suns staying consistent from deep, like they were in Game 1, will be the key to this series.

Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers

The biggest difference between teams was the underdog Hawks, who stole Game 1 against Philadelphia in convincing fashion. Despite only winning by four points, Atlanta controlled the game from the beginning and will look to go ahead 2-0 in the series on Tuesday night.

Joel Embiid was a health question mark heading into the series but suited up and played 38 minutes. The Dunkel Index suggests that Philly should right the ship and even the series against Atlanta.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets

In the closest series, as it relates to the rankings, Brooklyn has already taken control. Even with James Harden missing the entirety of the series, the Nets are up on Milwaukee 2-0.

Game 2 was a dominating effort by Brooklyn, who may have already put a bow on the series. Brooklyn took down Milwaukee 125-86.

Keep up with your latest NBA news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.