With just three weeks remaining in the 2023-24 NBA season, the race for playoff spots and the coveted SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is heating up. Several teams are making a late push to secure their place in the postseason, while others are struggling to stay in contention.

In the Eastern Conference, the playoff and Play-In Tournament picture seems to be largely settled, with the top 10 teams already in position. Only the Brooklyn Nets, currently in 11th place, are within striking distance, but they trail the 10th-place Atlanta Hawks by 5 1/2 games and have been struggling to make an impact.

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the battle for the final spots is intensifying. The 11th-place Houston Rockets are making a serious push and trail the 10th-place Golden State Warriors by just a single game, making them the only threat to the Warriors' position. The Utah Jazz, on the other hand, have been struggling for the second consecutive season following the trade deadline.

With 21 teams still playing for something significant, the NBA season remains highly competitive. However, the other nine teams have struggled in recent weeks, combining for a dismal 3-26 record in the previous week. Notably, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards secured two of those wins, albeit against other teams in the bottom nine.

As the season nears its end, attention is turning to individual performances. Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets stood out, leading his team's late-season push for a Playoff-In Tournament spot. On the other hand, Keyonte George of the Utah Jazz had a rough week, finishing with a minus-67 plus-minus rating in four games.

The Houston Rockets emerged as the team of the week with a perfect 3-0 record, bringing the total number of teams with winning records to 19 pending their game against the Portland Blazers on Monday. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets had a disappointing week, losing both games by 41-point deficits.

Schedule strength is also a factor in the teams' performances. Based on cumulative opponent records, the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers had the toughest schedules, while the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Atlanta Hawks had relatively easier schedules.

Looking ahead, the New Orleans Pelicans are a team to watch, as they are just half a game behind the fourth-place LA Clippers. However, their upcoming schedule is challenging, with the Pelicans set to face teams that are at least 13 games over .500 in their next five games, including matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics.

It's important to note that the NBA.com Power Rankings, which are released every Monday, reflect one individual's opinion. If there are any concerns or questions regarding the rankings, readers are encouraged to contact John Schuhmann, the author of the rankings.

With the playoffs and NBA Play-In Tournament approaching, the next three weeks promise to be filled with excitement as teams fight to secure their postseason berths and make a final push for success in the 2023-24 NBA season.