NBA Standings 2017-2018: Complete Team Rankings and Playoff Predictions

Looking back at the 2017-2018 NBA season, I still get chills thinking about how dramatically the standings shifted throughout those eight months. As someone who’s followed the league for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen a regular season with so many surprises—teams rising from obscurity, perennial contenders stumbling, and playoff races that went down to the wire. If you ask me, that year was a masterclass in competitive balance, at least until the Warriors and Cavs inevitably met again in the Finals. But let’s rewind a bit. The season tipped off with expectations sky-high for Golden State, Houston, and Cleveland, but what unfolded was far more layered than anyone predicted.

I remember tracking the Western Conference standings like a hawk, especially around the All-Star break. The Rockets, led by James Harden and Chris Paul, were absolutely electric—they finished with a league-best 65-17 record, which honestly surprised even me. I thought the Warriors would cruise to the top seed again, but Houston’s offensive firepower was something else. Meanwhile, teams like Portland and Oklahoma City jockeyed for position, with the Blazers securing the third seed thanks to Damian Lillard’s clutch gene. But what stood out to me was the drop-off after the top tier: the battle for the 8th seed was brutal. The Timberwolves barely edged out the Nuggets in a play-in game that went down to the final seconds—a 112-106 overtime thriller that I still rewatch sometimes. On the flip side, the East felt more predictable, though not without its drama. Toronto claimed the top seed with 59 wins, a franchise record, while Boston, despite losing Gordon Hayward early, gritted their way to 55 wins. LeBron’s Cavs, though, were all over the place; they finished fourth with a mediocre 50-32, and I recall thinking they’d struggle in the playoffs if they didn’t tighten up defensively.

Now, here’s where I’ll inject a personal take: the playoff predictions from that season were a minefield of hot takes, and mine were no exception. I was bullish on Houston coming out of the West, partly because their switch-everything defense seemed built for postseason battles. But I also had a soft spot for the Raptors—their depth was incredible, and I thought they’d finally break through to the Finals. Of course, I was wrong on both counts, as Golden State and Cleveland prevailed yet again. Reflecting on it, I think the playoffs exposed how much roster continuity matters; teams like the Spurs, who finished seventh with 47 wins, felt outdated against younger, faster squads. And speaking of surprises, who could forget the Jazz? They went 48-34 and knocked out OKC in the first round, thanks largely to Donovan Mitchell’s rookie heroics. I’d argue that series alone reshaped the West’s future landscape.

But let’s tie this back to something broader, like the reference to Lee and Magnolia’s skid—it reminds me how mid-season breaks can make or break a team’s momentum. In the NBA, the All-Star break often serves as a reset button, much like that holiday break Lee hoped would rejuvenate his squad. For instance, the Cavaliers looked disjointed before the break, but they retooled their lineup afterward and squeaked into a decent playoff run. On the other hand, teams like the Wizards, who finished eighth with 43 wins, never found that second wind. From my perspective, the 2017-18 season underscored that standings aren’t just about talent; they’re about timing, health, and mental fortitude. The Celtics, for example, lost Kyrie Irving late in the season, and though they fought hard, it cost them in the Conference Finals.

Wrapping up, the 2017-2018 NBA standings were a rollercoaster that delivered unforgettable storylines. If I had to pinpoint one lesson, it’s that regular-season success doesn’t always translate to playoff glory—just ask the Raptors, who dominated the East but fell short when it mattered. As for predictions, well, they’re fun but flawed; I’ve learned to enjoy the chaos instead. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, that season proved why the NBA remains the most unpredictable show in sports. And hey, if nothing else, it set the stage for the seismic shifts we’d see in the years to come, like LeBron heading to LA and the Warriors’ dynasty finally cracking. What a time it was.