ATLANTA HAWKS (16-23) – D

Atlanta is seven games below .500 to sit outside the play-in in a season getting away from the franchise despite Jalen Johnson taking a big leap in year three. Dejounte Murray is reportedly on the trade block with several teams interested, and a move feels likely. Murray’s back-court pairing with Trae Young simply hasn’t worked – despite Atlanta giving up multiple first-round picks to land Murray – amid the team’s woes – particularly defensively despite scoring a bunch at the other end under the Young-led offence. It’ll be intriguing what avenue the Hawks take if Murray is traded given they’re currently built to contend for playoffs. And can we free Patty Mills, please?

BOSTON CELTICS (31-9) – A+

It couldn’t be going more according to script for Boston right now after its big off-season splash. The Celtics hold the best record in the NBA, are ranked top three in both offensive and defensive rating as the clear championship favourites and could have as many as four All-Stars. No matter what moves other teams make by the trade deadline, the Porzingis-Tatum-Brown-White-Holiday starting five is clearly the premier opening unit in the league. Perhaps the only concern is the fact that, given the Celtics are the clear No. 1 side, opposition sides have a whole season to pick them apart and try and decipher a way to beat them in the playoffs. Though it’s hard to see them losing a seven-game series to anyone as things stand.

BROOKLYN NETS (16-23) – D+

After a promising start to the season where the Nets navigated a host of injures to stay around .500, the wheels are starting to come off – having dropped eight of their last nine games. Ben Simmons remains sidelined with a lower back injury that’s kept him off the court since early November in yet another tough setback for the Aussie and big blow for Brooklyn. You can’t help but ponder the impact an up-and-running Simmons would provide at both ends of the floor – particularly for the Nets’ 21st ranked defence. Having consistently led winning teams, how many extra wins would the Aussie have helped the franchise get? It feels like a team still searching for its identity after blowing up the Irving-Harden-Durant big three, while it has a host of role players that could appeal to teams ahead of the deadline.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS (8-29) – F

Any hope the Hornets had of making a run for the play-in this season vanished when LaMelo Ball suffered yet another ankle setback in late November in another grim season for the franchise. Ball returned from his 20-game absence last week, and while there’s still a whole half of the campaign to go, even the star guard mightn’t be able to help this sinking ship. Charlotte has just one win from its last 17 games, and is ranked bottom four in offensive and defensive rating. As big a void as Ball leaves, the Hornets are a legitimate lottery team without him, which doesn’t bode well for their overall prospects. Sitting seven games outside the play-in, the team with the longest playoff drought dating back to 2016 looks set for that drought to continue.

CHICAGO BULLS (19-23) – C

Recovering from a slow start to the season, when they looked destined to blow up their roster, the Bulls are officially back in business. Along with a much-improved defence, Coby White has led the revival and given the team more flexibility with what direction is takes after the emerging guard stepped up in a big way when Zach LaVine was sidelined. Even with LaVine back in the mix, Chicago has won four of its last six games to sit a game and a half inside the play-in. Heck, the Bulls are now just three games behind Orlando in a wild turn in fortunes for both sides.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (23-15) – A-

Sometimes, less is more. The Cavaliers have charged back into the season without both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Not that Cleveland was ever going that bad, but the team has suddenly won 10 of its past 12 games to climb into the fourth seed in the East. With the full frontcourt to himself, Jarrett Allen has gotten back to some of his absolute best form and been central to the Cavs’ sixth-ranked defence, while Donovan Mitchell continues to do Donovan Mitchell things. If they can seamlessly reintegrate Garland and Mobley without disrupting he current chemistry and keep up this level of play, look out.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (24-17) – B-

Any team with Luka Doncic running the show is going to be an offensive powerhouse, and that’s again been the case, however the Mavs have again struggled at the other end of the floor. Under the lead of Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs got off to a particularly hot start before sliding down the West standings in recent times while the pair have battled injuries, going 6-5 in their last 11 games. Doncic is putting together another MVP calibre season, but Dallas just hasn’t been good enough to make him a legit contender against the likes of Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum. Another fun story has been the revival of Aussie Dante Exum’s career, now playing alongside fellow countryman Josh Green as key pieces fir the Boomers moving forward.

DENVER NUGGETS (28-14) – A

The Nuggets are basically in ‘we won the title and are just cruising until late April’ mode while keeping the wins ticking over. Nikola Jokic has been a juggernaut yet again to sit firmly in contention for his third MVP, leading a starting five that can hang with any other in the NBA. Jamal Murray will however probably miss out on that elusive All-Star honour, for now at least, given the sheer amount of superstar guards in the league. The only concern around the Nuggets is their bench and depth as a whole – despite Peyton Watson showing promising signs in year two, specially in recent weeks – but any team that wins a championship tends to lose key role players, like Denver lost Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, and suffer as a result.

DETROIT PISTONS (4-36) – F

Fair to say it’s going to be a long season in Detroit. Owning the worst record in the NBA and having suffered a 28-game losing streak – the longest ever losing streak in a single season – there’s been problems everywhere. It includes the Pistons being a mess at both ends of the floor amid a lack of cohesion and chemistry, injuries, players struggling to fill certain roles and Monty Williams constantly juggling the rotation. The team will now just hope to take something away in the second half of the season, perhaps most importantly, establishing their rotation and the guys who are going to lead this team into the future. It’s also not a good season to be bad, with a draft class that isn’t believed to have a consensus top prospect like Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero of recent years.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (18-22) – D-

It’s been a turbulent season in Golden State – largely due to Draymond Green and the franchise’s overall decline – as it stares down the potential end of its golden era. A loss to a Grizzlies side missing Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart was a new low. There’s only so much Steph Curry can do, with his fellow veteran stars struggling to impact the way they have in recent years to see Golden State’s next wave of talent take on bigger roles. Four games below .500 and currently sitting outside the play-in, the Warriors have had major issues on the defensive end of the floor and loom as one of the big teams to watch ahead of the trade deadline to retool their roster and make one last run while Curry is in his prime.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (19-20) – B+

One of the big improvers have proven themselves as a legitimate playoff threat. Behind the Rockets’ group of exciting youngsters including a true breakout season from Alperen Sengun, the lead of new head coach Ime Udoaka’s as well as valuable off-season additions Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets have established a tougher identity and emerged as a serious basketball team. Though Houston has had issues offensively and is just 4-14 on the road – where it simply must improve – the Rockets have been one of the better defensive teams this season to show Udoka is really making his mark. Most importantly, the future is bright (though we’d like to see more Jock Landale right now please).

INDIANA PACERS (23-17) – A-

It’s been some sort of fun season in Indiana as one of the most watchable teams in the league. That’s correlated to wins too, with the Pacers sitting sixth in the East and of course making the In-Season Tournament Final. Tyrese Haliburton has evolved into a superstar before our eyes, leading Indiana’s powerhouse offence that’s ranked No. 1 in the NBA in shades of the Steve Nash-Phoenix Suns era. For this team to become more legit, it does need to tighten up defensively – where it’s ranked bottom five – while it also be curious to see if the Pacers make any moves by the deadline – and if they’re buyers or sellers.

LA CLIPPERS (26-14) – A-

The turnaround from a mockery to a legit contender in the James Harden era has been one of the most remarkable stories of the season. Yes, if you’re not on the Clippers bandwagon yet, it’s time to start believing. LA’s recent 18-3 run saw it climb into the fourth seed in the West, it’s ranked top six in offensive rating and has shown signs it can be a strong defensive unit. Following concerns that their stars would all need the ball to be effective, Russell Westbrook has selflessly embraced a move to the bench, while Harden has flourished as a facilitator and made Tyron Lue’s squad more polished and organised. It’s helped Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the rest of the team be the best version of themselves – a team that’s deep and loaded with veterans. Leonard signing a reduced three-year extension mid-season tells you everything you need to know.

LA LAKERS (20-21) – C-

It hasn’t been nearly as rosy in the other LA camp in a season fast going south after the Lakers’ In-Season Tournament triumph. Sure, they’ve battled injuries and thus have struggled with continuity of rotations. But both Anthony Davis, who’s been at the peak of his powers, and the evergreen LeBron James, who’s still dominant at age 39, have been healthy for virtually the entire season – a rare luxury in recent times. Yet still, LA is alarmingly outside the play-in amid a grim 4-7 stretch. It’s the offensive end of the floor where the Lakers have really struggled, and you sense they’ll address that at the trade deadline in some shape or form. We’ve seen this story before, with the Lakers starting slow out of the gates last season before going on an epic run all the way to the conference finals in the second half of the campaign. They’ll need to get a move on though as pressure builds on Darvin Ham.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (15-25) – D-

Who walked under a bunch of ladders? It’s been a genuine season from hell for the Grizzlies ruined by injury. If Ja Morant missing the first 25 games of the season wasn’t bad enough, the superstar guard, after playing just nine games, underwent campaign-ending shoulder surgery. Then Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane were ruled out for at least six weeks with their own injury setbacks … yikes. At this point, Memphis just has to accept it’s going to be a wasted season. But in a silver lining, it should end up with a high draft pick to add to the rest of the returning cast next year – a squad that’s shown it can be a legit contender. For now though, the Griz face a long 42 games ahead – where they could be seller’s at the trade deadline – as Jaren Jackson Jr. and a bunch of role players and youngsters attempt to steer the ship in the right direction. We’re sparing them a fail given how brutal their injury luck has been.

MIAMI HEAT (24-16) – A-

There might be better teams in the NBA, but there’s arguably none with a better culture and overall professionalism than the Heat. Despite battling injuries to each of their big three superstars, Miami somehow still sits fifth in the East and is again well placed to make deep playoff run. Erik Spoelstra, who was recently rewarded with a lucrative eight-year extension, has again done a sensational job of getting the best out of his team, which is ranked top 10 in the NBA defensively, while rookie Jaime Jaques Jr. has made an instant impact as a key member of the rotation already in a great story. No one would want to come up against the Heat in the playoffs.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (28-12) – A

Despite criticism around whether the Bucks are good enough defensively to win the championship, they’d be more than content with where things sit overall. Still figuring things out with a new rotation including the addition of Damian Lillard, the Bucks’ juggernaut offence led by the superstar guard and Giannis Antetokounmpo has carried it to the second seed in the East with the third-best record in the NBA. It includes a statement mauling over the Celtics last week, where you saw how dominant this Bucks side can be at its best. Antetokounmpo’s MVP-calibre season has in many ways gone under the radar, while Khris Middleton is back up and running and looking like the Middleton of old again after off-season surgery. If Milwaukee can sharpen up defensively, it’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (28-11) – A+

The No. 1 seed in the West, yet somehow still something of a dark horse in the title race. The Rudy Gobert-Karl-Anthony Towns twin tower frontcourt is finally living up its immense defensive potential, with Minnesota having claim to the best defensive rating in the league. Anthony Edwards continues to get better as one of the most exciting rising superstars in the league, even if at times the Wolves’ offence relies too heavily on the forward. It’s the defensive end of the floor Chris Finch’s side can consistently hang its hat on that should take it far in the playoffs, particularly if Minnesota finishes top three in the West.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (24-17) – B

There’s a lot to like about what the Pelicans are doing in an overall promising season for a team on the rise. So much hinges on Zion Williamson, with the former No. 1 pick still struggling to consistently produce at a superstar level he’s capable of every game. Until Williamson fulfils his enormous potential, the Pelicans just aren’t in the same echelon as the West’s best teams – even if co-stars Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are turning in big seasons and New Orleans has arguably the deepest team in the NBA. That includes exciting Aussie young gun Dyson Daniels, whose role continues to grow in Willie Green’s rotation.

NEW YORK KNICKS (23-17) – A-

Has the OG Anunoby trade turned the Knicks into a legit contender to come out of the East? While it might be too early to say, New York has certainly taken a big leap forward since the defensive stud’s arrival in the Big Apple – and it appears to be closer to the likes of Boston, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Tom Thibodeau’s side is 6-2 since acquiring Anunoby – a stretch it’s been ranked first in the NBA defensively – including taking the scalps of the Timberwolves and 76ers. The trade has also helped simplify the Knicks’ offence around Jalen Brunson, the engine of this team, and Julius Randle, who deserves credit for turning around his season after a slow start.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (27-1) –A+

Many predicted the Thunder would make a leap this season, but not many saw them becoming a genuine contender to win the whole thing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an insanely high level as a legit MVP contender, Chet Holmgren has provided more than the Thunder could’ve dreamt of in his first year, and basically the rest of the supporting cast has gotten better including a big second-year leap from Jalen Williams. Josh Giddey still hasn’t quite hit his straps despite an uptick in form in recent weeks, but there’s plenty of time for the 21-year old to turn things around in what looms as an important second half of season for the Aussie. Sitting second in the West with the fourth-best record in the league and the second-best net rating, Mark Daigneault is a worthwhile Coach of the Year candidate.

ORLANDO MAGIC (22-18) – B+

Starting the season in such strong form including occupying the second seed in the East for a key stretch, the Magic, hampered by injuries, have lost their way in recent times. Orlando has dropped six of its last nine games to slide down to a play-in spot, currently sitting eighth in the East. Both Markelle Fultz and Joe Ingles recently returned from injury in a welcome boost, but Franz Wagner’s ongoing absence continues to hurt them. Producing an All-Star calibre season, Paolo Banchero needs more help, making the Magic an interesting team to keep an eye on as potential buyers at the trade deadline. Still, they have a top-three ranked defence and are one of the big improvers.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (26-13) – A

The Sixers are again one of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference, with Joel Embiid arguably the most dominant player in the league. Should Embiid play enough games, the superstar centre will be firmly in the mix to claim a second-straight MVP, having led the team at both ends of the floor – where it’s ranked top five both offensively and defensively. Running partner Tyrese Maxey has also been superb as the frontrunner for Most Improved Player of the Year, and the collection of players Philly got in the James Harden trade has helped round its roster with considerable depth. The big question is whether Darryl Morey thinks the current roster has enough to contend for the title, or if he looks to make another big move by the deadline. For as constructed, the Sixers would have space for another max contract in the off-season.

PHOENIX SUNS (22-18) – C-

While we don’t have a proper gauge on how good the Suns could be with their Durant-Booker-Beal big three on the court together amid constant injury setbacks, that’s becoming a concern at the midway point of the season for one of the most hyped teams going into the campaign – and rightfully so. This is a team too talented to only be sitting in the play-in right now. In saying that, Phoenix has looked much better recently, going 7-3 over its last 10 games, while the team is ranked 11th in offensive rating and 16th in defensive rating in areas of their game with clear upside with more continuity. Again, everything is predicated around their stars staying healthy, which has proven hard to trust. No matter, it’s a team you wouldn’t want to face in the post-season. Need to see more.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (10-29) – D

The youth movement is in full effect at Portland, and at least you can see the vision, with Scoot Henderson recently getting greater opportunities as the starting point guard alongside Anferne Simons in the back-court. You sense that trend will only continue in the second half of the season, even when the Blazers get all their players back from injury, as the franchise commits to prioritising the development of their young guns and getting more high-end draft picks. Deandre Ayton’s absence has opened the door for Dup Reath to draw several starts at centre, with the 26-year old Aussie making the most of his opportunities in an impressive stretch.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (23-17) – B+

Another team that always seems to put on a show every game it plays, with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis leading the way again for the Kings. Their high-octane offence has dipped slightly from last season – dropping from first to 14th – though it’s more a by-product of the rest of the league scoring more. Keegan Murray has meanwhile produced the best stretch of his career in recent weeks as a legit third option, and he should only get better and better from here on in. Sitting seventh in the West, you get the impression the Kings are a move away from being legit contenders in the stacked conference.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (7-32) – D-

Outside of Victor Wembanyama, there hasn’t been a whole lot to get excited about for the Spurs, who sit dead last in the West in what’s been a dismal season for the once powerhouse franchise. It included San Antonio suffering a franchise record 17-game losing streak earlier this season, where it was clear how inexperienced and far behind this young team is. Gregg Popovich has officially given up on the Jeremy Sochan point guard experiment, with Tre Jones recently being reinstalled in the role. The only thing saving them from a fail has been the aforementioned Wembanyama, with the prodigal No. 1 draft pick as good as advertised, if not better, locked in a battle with Chet Holmgren for the Rookie of the Year award.

TORONTO RAPTORS (15-25) – D

A team that has the tools to be competitive has very much underwhelmed – a whole 10 games below .500 in the East’s 12th seed. And so the franchise has continued to retool its roster by sending OG Anunoby to the Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in a move that gives the Raptors two exciting young pieces to move forward with. Maybe Barrett can reach his potential, or at least become the best version of himself, in his home country, while Quickley shapes as the team’s long-time point guard. There’s still a potential Pascal Siakam trade to come at the trade deadline, with Toronto on blow it up watch.

UTAH JAZZ (22-20) – B

Here they come! The Jazz’s dire start to the season is now a distant memory, having won six games in a row including 12 of their last 14 to get above .500 and climb into the ninth seed in the West, currently sitting above Houston. Over its last 15 games, Utah ranks top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating and has the league’s fifth-best rating. Lauri Markkanen probably isn’t getting enough respect for backing up his epic All-Star season, while Colin Sexton has been outstanding since getting moved into the starting line-up. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Jazz sold one of their veterans, like Jordan Clarkson or Kelly Olynyk, to a contender at the deadline in the perfect sell-high moment to get Utah more long-term assets.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (7-32) – F

The only bigger disappointment in the Eastern Conference than the Pistons has been the Wizards. While not many thought Washington would do much this season, it was hard to foresee it being this bad. For a team in tanking/rebuild mode, there hasn’t been many positives by the way of exciting young players, with Pick 7 Bilal Coulibaly having some bright moments but being held back at times. Heck, the Wizards would’ve probably been better off keeping Chris Paul and his expiring deal instead of effectively flipping him for Jordan Poole, who suddenly has one of the worst contracts in the NBA.