NBA Rankings
01 June 2021
NBA Rankings
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.
Current Dunkel Index NBA Rankings
The NBA playoffs are in full swing, with the first round nearing its conclusion. As of June 1, here are the current Dunkel Ranks for each playoff team.
- Utah Jazz
- Phoenix Suns
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets
- Brooklyn Nets
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Portland Trail Blazers
- New York Knicks
- Atlanta Hawks
- Miami Heat (eliminated)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Boston Celtics (Ranked 16th)
- Washington Wizards (Ranked 19th)
NBA Playoff Round 1 Matchups: Eastern Conference
Dunkel’s ranks have, for the most part, accurately reflected the series results. The #7 Milwaukee Bucks easily handled the #13 Miami Heat, sweeping them 4-0.
The #3 Philadelphia 76ers are up 3-1 on the Washington Wizards, ranked #19. Philly likely would have swept Washington if not for a Joel Embiid injury in Game 4.
The next lowest-ranked team in the Dunkel Index is the Celtics, ranked #16. Boston finds themselves down 3 games to 1 in this best of seven series against #6 Brooklyn.
After stealing Game 3 thanks to a 50-point outing from Jayson Tatum, the Celtics lost in Game 4 and seem ready to fold it in against Brooklyn in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The last first round series in the East is between the Knicks and the Hawks. Just as being the fourth and fifth seeds would suggest, this is a close matchup, according to the Dunkel Index. The Index gave a slight edge to New York in the rankings, ranking them #11 and Atlanta #12.
It’s the Hawks that are currently getting the best of the Knicks, up 3-1 in the series with Game 5 Wednesday night. Julius Randle has struggled from the field all series after having a strong season that saw him win Most Improved Player.
NBA Playoff Round 1 Matchups: Western Conference
The Western Conference is loaded with strong teams, hammered home by their rankings in the Dunkel Index. Only the #14 Memphis Grizzlies find themselves outside the top ten in the NBA rankings.
The Grizzlies have been matched up on Dunkel’s top team, the Utah Jazz. Memphis stole Game 1 off the momentum from the play-in tournament and has since lost three straight. Utah will look to put the series away in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
On paper, the rest of the Western Conference first round matchups would be competitive according to the Dunkel rankings, and real-life has matched this expectation.
The #2 Phoenix Suns and #8 Los Angeles Lakers are tied up in the series, both winning two games. A pivotal Game 5 is on Tuesday night, where the defending champion Lakers are likely without star Anthony Davis.
The Clippers, #4 on Dunkel, are matched up on the #9 Dallas Mavericks, with the series also tied 2-2. Dallas won the first two games on the road, and LA returned the favor. Game 5 will be back in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Finally, the #5 Nuggets and #10 Blazers also find themselves in a 2-2 series. Game 5 will be in Denver on Tuesday night in what has been a back and forth series.
For more ranking information, make sure to check out Dunkel Index NBA Teams Rankings
