Power Rankings, Week 25: Key storyline to follow for each team as season approaches its conclusion

These are the facts that we have gathered ...

10 teams have been eliminated, so we have the 20 that will be in the playoffs or the Play-In Tournament.The Boston Celtics have secured the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage through The Finals.The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks will definitely face each other in the 9-10 Play-In game in the East, with the Bulls likely to be hosting.The LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are very likely to be meeting in the 4-5 series in the West, with the Clippers almost certain to have home-court advantage.

Other than that, things are pretty wide open. There are 57 games left (over only five days this week with no games on Monday and Saturday). As things stand now, 50 of them could be meaningful.

Plus-Minus Players of the Week

Right Way: Paul Reed (PHI) was a plus-58 in four games last week.Wrong Way: Javon Freeman-Liberty (TOR) was a minus-77 in four games last week.

Teams of the Week

Make It Last Forever: Philadelphia (4-0) — The big fella is back!Something Just Ain’t Right: Milwaukee (0-4) — Losses to bad teams at this time of year are doubly bad.

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East vs. West

The West is 254-189 (.573) against the East in interconference games after going 15-12 last week. There are nine interconference games remaining, with the Mavs having the most (3).

Schedule strength through Week 24

Toughest: 1. San Antonio, 2. Portland, 3. UtahEasiest: 1. Orlando, 2. Miami, 3. MilwaukeeSchedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.

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Movement in the Rankings

High jumps of the week: Philadelphia (+8), Orlando (+4), Portland (+3)Free falls of the week: Cleveland (-6), Miami (-5), Milwaukee (-3)

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Week 25 Team to Watch

Orlando — The Magic, who haven’t won more than one playoff game in 13 years, have a chance to be the 2 seed in the East. They’re just a game behind the second-place Bucks, who they’ll face twice this week. They’ll play in Milwaukee on Wednesday and in Orlando on Sunday afternoon.

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Previously…

Last week: Thunder, Wolves and Mavs on the moveThe archive: NBA.com Power Rankings

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league has averaged 114.6 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.2 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via threads.