NBA Power Rankings – NBA Power Ratings UPDATED 3/22/2011 – Lakers, Bulls 1-2:2011 NBA Power Rankings – While a handful of teams are battling for the few remaining spots in the upcoming NBA playoffs, some of the top teams can start resting their stars in prepartion for a title run. At this point in the season, the teams trying to make the playoffs just want wins anyway they can get them, while the higher seeds just want to avoid injuries.
- Los Angeles Lakers (50-20): The Lakers have won nine of their last 10 games, and the defense that has been so strong recently managed to hold Portland to just 80 points despite missing Andrew Bynum. The Spurs will still end up with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but the Lakers are the team to beat.
- Chicago Bulls (49-19): An 8-2 stretch has pulled Chicago even with Boston for the best record in the Eastern Conference. Derrick Rose’s MVP chances would get a major boost if Chicago ends up with the top speed, and the team’s chances of reaching the finals would significantly improve as well. Only San Antonio has a better record at home than Chicago’s 30-4 mark.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (45-24): It’s safe to say that the move to get Kendrick Perkins was the right one for the Thunder. The team’s defense has picked up since Perkins returned from injury, and the Thunder are 8-2 during the last 10 games. They will likely meet San Antonio in the second round of the playoffs, and Spurs fans should be very worried.
- Miami Heat (48-22): For as good as Lebron James and Dwyane Wade have been this season, it looks like Chris Bosh could be the difference maker for the Heat. Since demanding the ball more, Miami has won five of its last six games, and Bosh has five double-doubles. Don’t look now, but the Heat have the easiest remaining schedule and could still end up with the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
- San Antonio Spurs (56-13): Gregg Popovich has begun resting his starters periodically, and the Spurs have still managed a 7-3 record in their last 10 games and hold a six-game edge for the best record in the NBA. Just for the record, the official reason listed for Tim Duncan’s night off was being too old.
- Denver Nuggets (41-29): The Nuggets have thrived since moving Carmelo Anthony, despite dropping back-to-back road games against Orlando and Miami, they have managed a 7-3 mark in their last 10 games. Denver is tough to handle at home and is riding a six-game winning streak in the Pepsi Center, but they probably won’t have home court advantage during any round of the playoffs.
- Dallas Mavericks (49-21): A 5-5 stretch has handed the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference to the Lakers, and the Mavericks have had a rough go of things lately against fellow playoff teams. The last five games for Dirk Nowitzki and company have included losses to the Trail Blazers, Lakers and Spurs have all defeated the Mavericks. That doesn’t exactly bode well for the postseason.
- Boston Celtics (49-19): Rajon Rondo is struggling, and it is rubbing off on the rest of the team. Not to mention the fact that Kendrick Perkins isn’t around to mask the offensive struggles on the defensive end. Boston is just 6-4 in the last 10 games, and there is a chance the Celtics could end up as the No. 3 seed.
- Portland Trail Blazers (40-30): The Trail Blazers have further secured their spot in the postseason with a 7-3 stretch in the last 10 games. They picked up a big win against the Mavericks, but the loss to the Lakers was a bit disappointing considering Andrew Bynum was absent.
- Orlando (44-26): Dwight Howard has been an absolute force in the middle, but turnovers have been an issue for the Magic recently. Orlando has won its last three games, but is all but a done deal that the Magic will be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
- Houston Rockets (37-34): A four-game winning streak and a 7-3 stretch overall have the Rockets within striking distance of the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Wins against the Suns and Jazz were huge for their postseason hopes.
- Memphis Grizzlies (38-32): The news on Rudy Gay’s shoulder isn’t encouraging, but the Grizzlies have hung on to the final spot in the playoffs without their top scorer. That being said, Houston, Phoenix and Utah are all within striking distance, and Memphis is going into one of the tougher stretches of their schedule.
- Philadelphia 76ers (36-34): Just when the Sixers are finding a rhythm on offense with Andre Iguodala playing point-forward, he may have to miss extended time with a knee injury. The good news is that they are comfortable in the playoffs and eight of their last 12 games will be played at home. Philadelphia can afford to rest Iguodala a bit.
- New Oreleans Hornets (40-31): Chris Paul keeps dodging long-term injuries, and as long as the Hornets avoid any significant losing streaks the rest of the way, they will make the playoffs. That being said, New Orleans is one team that definitely peaked too early in the season to be considered a threat for the title.
- Atlanta Hawks (40-30): The Hawks have been a little flat on offense lately, but lack of motivation could be the cause considering they are pretty much locked into the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks have a lot of solid players, but they just don’t have the firepower to beat any of the top seeds.
- New York Knicks (35-34): To say that the Knicks are a work in progress is an understatement. They may very well be better in the long run with addition of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, but for now, New York is kind of a mess. Who would have thought changing your entire offensive philosophy late in the season would be hard?
- Phoenix Suns (35-33): Steve Nash is banged up, and the Suns are suffering. They have won just four of their last 10 games, and their playoff push is running out of steam. Looking at the remaining schedule, it is doubtful that Phoenix can win enough games to gain ground on Memphis for a spot in the postseason.
- Los Angeles Clippers (27-44): Had the knife-wielding lunatic that charged the court been underneath a basket, the standoff would have ended when Blake Griffin dunked on him. Instead, Clippers fan will have to settle for dunks on opposing players. Los Angeles is 6-4 over the last 10 games.
- Milwaukee Bucks (28-41): Their last five games have included a brutal 56-point effort against the Celtics and a victory over the Knicks. The Bucks have played .500 ball their last 10 games, and the playoffs are a real possibility in the week Eastern Conference.
- Indiana Pacers (31-40): Indiana is doing just enough to cling to the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but they certainly aren’t taking control of the situation. The Pacers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games, and they are leaving the door wide open.
- Utah Jazz (36-34): Al Jefferson has stepped up since Deron Williams was shipped out, but the Jazz as a whole have struggled. They have won just four times in their last 10 games, and they continue to get leapfrogged by teams in the race for the final playoff spot.
- New Jersey Nets (22-47): Led by Deron Williams, the Nets defeated the Celtics as part of a five-game winning streak. Unfortunately, an injury to Williams’ wrist has cooled of New Jersey. If the ownership can grab one or two decent players in the offseason and retain Williams, the Nets could be a playoff team in 2012.
- Detroit Pistons (25-45): Detroit became the latest in a line of mediocre teams to beat the Knicks, but the Pistons roster remains one of the most uninspiring lineups in the NBA.
- Toronto Raptors (20-49): The Raptors have won back-to-back games for the first time in 2011, snapping a 14-game road losing streak in the process. Amir Johnson and Ed Davis have the potential to be a formidable frontcourt in the future.
- Golden State Warriors (30-40): A dismal 73-point effort against Dallas was the low point of a 3-7 stretch for the Warriors. Golden State has been getting killed on the boards all year, and whenever the offense struggles, the losses pile up in a hurry.
- Charlotte Bobcats (28-41): The Bobcats are still in the thick of the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference, but they have lost nine of their last 11 games, including three straight. Unless they right the ship soon, the postseason is going to become an afterthought.
- Sacramento Kings (17-51): Marcus Thornton is blossoming since his trade from New Orleans, and the Kings topped 120 points twice recently. Unfortunately, the Kings have just two wins in their last 10 games.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (17-54): Kevin Love’s double-double streak came to an end, and now the only thing left for Minnesota fans to focus on is the team’s horrible record.
- Washington Wizards (17-51): The Wizards should petition the league to just skip the rest of their road games. With a 1-31 record away from home, they might as well rest up for the home games.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (13-55): The Cavaliers are leaving no question about where the worst team in the NBA resides. Cleveland is four games behind the other bottom feeders.
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