Clutch Time Ratings

Who's performing well on both ends of the floor in close games? The Suns, Warriors, Bucks, and Grizzlies are, among other unlikely squads.

Phoenix has been the powerhouse of the NBA for two straight seasons, and a big reason for their success is their ability to close out tight games. The Suns rank first in both offensive rating and defensive rating in clutch time, defined by games within five points in the last five minutes of regulation or overtime. Golden State, Milwaukee, and Memphis are also high on the list of teams that have done well in clutch time, but many teams will surprise you with regards to their successes and failures in close games.

In examining the top four offensive squads in clutch time, the Suns and Bulls come as no surprise as they have very good records, but the other two are bigger stories.

The Clippers have had their fair share of amazing comeback victories this season, most notably against Washington on January 25th when Luke Kennard completed a four-point play to lead an improbable 35-point comeback, good enough for second-largest in NBA history. LA has proven their ability to be clutch without their two superstars, and it might just pay off when George and Leonard get healthy come playoff time.

The Pelicans share a similar story with the Clippers, and their push for a play-in spot is heating up as they are teetering back and forth at the tenth position with Portland. Unfortunately for New Orleans, their defense is second worst in the league during the last five minutes of close games.

On the defensive end of the floor, Phoenix and Golden State are running away with the crown, but the third best team is Washington, a pleasant surprise. Miami is fourth, and the only downside to their terrific season has been their inability to score efficiently in the clutch.

While plenty of teams fall into the middle of the graph around the league average in both categories, a jarring sight is Dallas's placement alone in the abyss. The Mavericks have the worst defense during clutch time and the third-worst offense, which is very concerning moving forward. They'll need to turn this around before the postseason or they'll be in the same boat they've been in for years on end: winless in postseason series.

Several of the teams in the middle of the pack have made moves at the deadline, so it will be interesting to observe who climbs this ladder as the final third of the regular season comes to a close. For now, Phoenix is the one team nobody has had an answer for.