NBA Power Rankings: Sixers nearing finish line of miserable season

The league is entering into the final stretch of the season as teams begin to gear up to make a run at the playoffs, or for some, the play-in tournament.

In the East , the Cleveland Cavaliers have been a machine, and the Boston Celtics have been terrific, while the Philadelphia 76ers have been struggling all season as injuries have robbed them from what was expected to be a championship contender.

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at the top while the Los Angeles Lakers , Denver Nuggets , Houston Rockets , Memphis Grizzlies , and Golden State Warriors will be teams to worry about.

The Bulls are officially locked into the play-in tournament for the third straight season .

The Heat have followed up a 10 -game losing streak with a 6 -game winning streak to solidify themselves.

There is a strong chance the Bucks will enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.

Golden State Warriors have won three in a row and are making a push up the standings.

Denver Nuggets wasted a 61 -point triple-double from Nikola Jokic in a double OT loss to the Timberwolves as Russell Westbrook committed big mistakes down the stretch.

The defending champs should be the favorites again in the playoffs.