NBA Power Rankings, Week 21 -- Milwaukee Bucks win a Finals rematch, LeBron James and Jayson Tatum go for 50-plus

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Which NBA teams are making the biggest moves?

The Miami Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday in a game of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. James Harden didn't suit up, but the Heat limited the 76ers' star to 26.7% shooting to hand them their first loss since the All-Star break.

The Los Angeles Lakers hope a historic performance on Saturday can spark their stretch run. In the Lakers' comeback win over the Warriors, James scored 56 points, his most as a Laker. It was the Lakers second win over the past nine games as they cling to the Western Conference's No. 9 seed.

On Sunday, the Boston Celtics had 54 points on the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant. Boston has won 14 of its past 16 games. Khris Middleton scored 44 points for the Milwaukee Bucks in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

With five weeks remaining in the regular season, who is rising and falling?

Our panel (Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing.

1. Phoenix Suns 2021-22 record: 51-13

Previous ranking: 1

In Friday's win over the New York Knicks, Johnson had a career night. In the fourth quarter alone, Johnson made six 3-pointers, including the game-winner. He had a career-high 38 points and nine triples. Johnson scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, the same amount as the Knicks.

2. Miami Heat 2021-22 record: 43-22

Previous ranking: 4

The Heat pulled off one of their better wins of the season on Thursday against the Nets, and have now won 11 of their last 13 games. Without Jimmy, Kyle, and P.J. Tucker, Bam Adebayo was able to carry his team across the finish line.

3. Memphis Grizzlies 2021-22 record: 44-22

Previous ranking: 2

The second place in the West was taken by the Grizzlies. A loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night moved Memphis back into third place, just percentage points behind the Warriors. Four of the last seven games have been losses to teams that are sub-.500. Ja Morant has averaged 35.3 points per game during that time, breaking the franchise's single-game scoring record twice, but only two other players have averaged double-figure scoring totals.

4. Milwaukee Bucks 2021-22 record: 40-25

Previous ranking: 8

The schedule is one of the toughest remaining in the NBA, but Antetokounmpo thinks it can help the team.

5. Philadelphia 76ers 2021-22 record: 39-24

Previous ranking: 5

Harden sat out the second night of a back-to-back, but the Philadelphia 76ers are still perfect with him in the lineup. Even though Ben Simmons won't be playing against Brooklyn on Thursday, seeing Harden against his old team will provide more than enough drama.

6. Golden State Warriors 2021-22 record: 43-21

Previous ranking: 3

The group is now 2-8 in its last 10 games after James dropped 56 points on them on Saturday. Golden State needs Draymond Green to come back, but they also need Klay Thompson to find his rhythm, and Andrew Wiggins to come back as the difference-maker he was earlier in the season.

7. Utah Jazz 2021-22 record: 40-23

Previous ranking: 7

Bojan Bogdanovich broke the franchise record by draining 11 3-pointers during his 35-point performance in the win over Oklahoma City. He had been shooting just 32% from 3-point range in the previous 11 games. It was only the second time since Mitchell returned from a concussion that someone other than him led the Jazz in scoring.

8. Boston Celtics 2021-22 record: 39-27

Previous ranking: 10

The lack of elite competition was one thing that could be held against Boston as it turned its season around over the past few weeks. The critique is no longer applicable because of the beating of the Nets and the Grizzlies by the two teams this week. The Celtics have to be seen as a legitimate East contender at this point, because of their continued ascension and the league's best defense.

9. Chicago Bulls 2021-22 record: 39-25

Previous ranking: 6

The Bulls have dropped four games in a row, matching their longest losing streak of the season, as they continue to struggle against the top teams in each conference. The Bulls are the fourth seed in the East and are 0-8 against the teams ahead of them. They start the week with a game in Philadelphia.

10. Dallas Mavericks 2021-22 record: 39-25

Previous ranking: 9

The Mavericks were glad to give him a four-year, $55 million contract extension because of his performance down the stretch of Saturday's comeback win over the Sacramento Kings. In the final 74 seconds, Finney-Smith hit a pair of clutch 3s, including the game-winner with 3.8 seconds remaining, and held the Kings star center to zero points in the fourth quarter. During Dallas' current 6-1 run, Finney-Smith has averaged 14.3 points while shooting 60.7% from the floor and 54.8% on 3s.

11. Denver Nuggets 2021-22 record: 38-26

Previous ranking: 12

The last two wins have come despite obstacles, as the Nuggets have won 10 of their last 12. Without Jokic, the Nuggets took care of Houston with a 31 points and nine rebound performance by DeMarcus Cousins. On Sunday, Jokic had 46 points, 12 rebound, 11 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals, but he took care of the Pelicans in overtime, even though coach Michael Malone got ejected in the third quarter. According to the NBA, Jokic is the only player to put up those kind of numbers since blocks and steals were tracked starting in 1973.

12. Cleveland Cavaliers 2021-22 record: 37-27

Previous ranking: 11

On Wednesday, March 9.

Suns at Heat, 7:30 p.m.

Blazers at Jazz, 10 p.m.

All times Eastern.

Cleveland's renaissance season continues to decline. After losing six out of seven games, the Cavs beat the Raptors on Sunday but lost a major piece in doing so. Allen left the game with a fractured finger. The upcoming stretch will be critical to the team's chances of avoiding the play-in tournament because they are already missing Caris LeVert.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves 2021-22 record: 36-29

Previous ranking: 15

The Wolves have won four in a row to keep pace with the other teams in the playoffs. The No.7 seed gives Minnesota two chances to win one home game and make the playoffs. The LA Clippers are two games ahead of the Wolves in the race for the No. 6 seed.

14. LA Clippers 2021-22 record: 34-32

Previous ranking: 16

The Clippers had their sweetest win of the season last week when they beat the Lakers. Their most disappointing loss in a month was against the Knicks at home on Sunday. The Clippers have shown that they are going to be a force in the playoffs. On Saturday, Paul George was shooting right-handed. George has only been seen shooting with his left hand in the few times that the media has been allowed to see practices and shootarounds. George has a ways to go before he returns, but this was a positive sign.

15. Toronto Raptors 2021-22 record: 34-30

Previous ranking: 14

The Raptors have lost three in a row and are three games behind Cleveland in the race for the play-in tournament. If the Raptors don't get into the top six at the end of the season because of injuries to OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet, then much of this is out of their control.

16. Brooklyn Nets 2021-22 record: 32-33

Previous ranking: 13

The Nets have lost 17 of 20 after Sunday's defeat to the Celtics and even the return of KD hasn't been enough. Brooklyn is now ninth in the East, a half game behind Charlotte Hornets, which it faces in an important road game on Tuesday. Simmons is dealing with a back injury and his debut is at least a few weeks away. Harden and the 76ers are in Philadelphia on Thursday, and the Nets will see them.

17. Atlanta Hawks 2021-22 record: 31-32

Previous ranking: 17

The Atlanta Hawks are in a three-way tie with Charlotte and Brooklyn for the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks are hitting their stride at the right time, as they try to vault themselves higher into the playoff race. Atlanta has won five of their last seven games and have the second-easiest schedule remaining.

18. Los Angeles Lakers 2021-22 record: 28-35

Previous ranking: 19

James became the first player in league history with a 50-point game before the age of 21 and after the age of 35 with his 56-point masterpiece in Saturday's win over the Warriors.

19. Charlotte Hornets 2021-22 record: 32-33

Previous ranking: 18

With seven of their next nine games at home, the Hornets have a chance to move up in the East's play-in tournament mix. Charlotte is in a three-way tie with Atlanta and Brooklyn for eighth place in the East.

20. New Orleans Pelicans 2021-22 record: 27-37

Previous ranking: 21

The only loss since the All-Star break was in overtime against Denver. Brandon has excelled since the break, averaging 29.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.6 rebound on 58.5% shooting. The best defensive rating in the NBA is still maintained by the New Orleans Pelicans, even after they gave up 138 points to Denver. Their net rating of 19.3 is the best in the league since the break.

21. Washington Wizards 2021-22 record: 29-34

Previous ranking: 20

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It was a great week for the Wizards, even though they lost. Bradley Beal told reporters that he is leaning toward re-signing with Washington. Kristaps Porzingis scored 25 points in 21 minutes to help the Wizards beat the Pacers. Washington has lost 13 of its last 19 but has won two of its last three heading into a four-game west swing.

22. Portland Trail Blazers 2021-22 record: 25-38

Previous ranking: 22

The four-game winning streak was replaced by a four-game slide. The Portland defense has allowed 120 or more points in all four losses. Anfernee Simons and Eric Bledsoe will not play on Monday because of injuries.

23. New York Knicks 2021-22 record: 26-38

Previous ranking: 24

After a pair of tough losses to the 76ers and the Suns, the Knicks got a desperately needed win against the Clippers on Sunday. With a 5 1/2 game gap between the Knicks and the play-in tournament, the final 18 games are going to be about looking ahead to next year rather than trying for a second straight trip to the playoffs.

24. San Antonio Spurs 2021-22 record: 24-40

Previous ranking: 23

San Antonio has lost four in a row and has a chance for Popovich to tie the all-time regular season record. The Spurs have seven games at home in the next seven days, starting with the Lakers on Monday.

25. Sacramento Kings 2021-22 record: 24-42

Previous ranking: 25

The Kings couldn't protect a 19-point lead and lost 114-113 to the Mavericks on Saturday. The Kings will be looking for some lottery luck in the next couple months.

26. Indiana Pacers 2021-22 record: 22-44

Previous ranking: 26

The Pacers have put the ball in the hands of second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton since acquiring him at the trade deadline, which has led to an increase in his offensive production. Since joining the Pacers, Haliburton has scored 20 or more points in six of his first nine games and has averaged over 9.0 assists per game.

27. Oklahoma City Thunder 2021-22 record: 20-44

Previous ranking: 27

The rest of the starting lineup as well as some key reserves have been affected by injuries, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is shining. In six games since the All-Star break, Gilgeous-Alexander has 33.3 points, 6.0 rebound and 6.7 assists. He is likely to be the center of the long-term rebuilding project once it starts paying dividends, and it is a matter of time before he makes an All-Star appearance.

28. Detroit Pistons 2021-22 record: 17-47

Previous ranking: 28

Detroit has won three in a row for the first time this season, and they will be going for a fourth on Monday. The Pistons are playing better recently, winning five of the past seven games, and rookies like Cade Cunningham are playing well.

29. Orlando Magic 2021-22 record: 16-49

Previous ranking: 30

Markelle Fultz made his season debut after missing the past year because of an injury, and the team picked up two wins, which makes this one of their most productive weeks of the season. Over his first three games, Fultz is averaging 9.1 points and 3.7 assists per game.

30. Houston Rockets 2021-22 record: 16-48

Previous ranking: 29

A rough first half followed by significant improvement is what the rookies are doing. In 14 games since the start of February, Green has averaged 18.1 points and 46.7% shooting. He has scored at least 20 points in five of the last seven games, including his 24 points on Sunday, when the Rockets snapped a 12-game losing streak.