Five NBA Sleeper Teams to Look Out For
The NBA trade deadline is only about two weeks away now, so there is likely to be some big moves and changes across the league. That should have a major effect on the standings and which teams make it to the playoffs.
The likes of Brooklyn, Phoenix and Golden State are all expected to glide into the postseason and will be the subject of most of the NBA betting with the Vegas sportsbooks. But there are a number of teams further down the divisions that might cause a few surprises. Here are five sleeper teams to keep an eye on in the next few months.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Although the Timberwolves have not made the playoffs since the 2004/05 season there were big things expected of them this season. The combination of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards have troubled opponents all year and with three elite players, Minnesota should still be playing past the middle of April.
There is probably the need for adding to the roster ahead of the NBA deadline but there is a distinct possibility that Minnesota could escape the need to be involved in the play-in tournament and skip straight into the first round of the playoffs.
Washington Wizards
It could have gone one of two ways when the Wizards moved Russell Westbrook to the Lakers in that multi-team trade. There was still not that many that expected Washington to enjoy even a .500 season. But here we are, past the halfway point of the regular season with the Wizards still in contention.
Washington started the year in devastating form but has reverted to type a little in recent weeks. But with Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harell and Spencer Dinwiddle have teamed up nicely with Bradley Beal to put points on the board and give the fans some hope of making the cut.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas crashed out in the first round of the playoffs last season but there were high hopes of a Luka Doncic led team going further this time around. Those hopes have not really been recognized as of yet, but there is a definite upturn in form that suggests the Mavs could end up in the mix.
The season started pretty routinely for the Mavericks. But they have shot into gear during January to climb the standings and announce themselves to the rest of the league. Doncic has finally kicked in and Kriztaps Porzingis is playing his part as well now.
Philadelphia 76ers
Considering Philly finished number one in the East last season and only exited the playoffs in the Conference Semifinals to an overachieving Atlanta, it does seem a little bit of a stretch to call the 76ers a ‘sleeper’ team to look out for. There is no doubt that it has not been up with the leaders this season though. But that seems to be changing now.
Joel Embiid has been simply incredible from the end of last year and throughout January. His points totals have been off the scale and he is obviously the major reason why the 76ers should make the postseason. But other players, such as Ben Simmons, are helping – and it means that Philly might even go deeper in the playoffs this year.

Toronto Raptors
It seems a long time since the Raptors won the NBA finals and there hasn’t been a lot to celebrate since Kawhi Leonard traded Toronto for Los Angeles. But this team is shuffling along at around .500 this season and has a few players that have just ‘clicked’.
Fred VanVleet has turned into the new main man this season and has a very impressive points average, while rookie Scottie Barnes is doing better than anyone really imagined him to do. Add Pascal Siakam into that mix and we could see the Raptors back into the playoffs after missing out last season.