NBA Power Rankings – NBA Power Ratings UPDATED 4/11/2011 – Bulls, Spurs, Heat Top the Ratings This Week: The NBA regular season is coming to a close, and as teams prepare for the final week before the playoffs, it is time to get one last look at the Power Rankings. Different teams are on different agendas at this point in the year with some teams giving young players a shot and others resting their starters.
- Chicago Bulls (60-20): The Bulls are steamrolling toward the playoffs, winning nine of their last 10, including seven straight, and locking up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have a shot at finishing with the best record in the NBA, but either way, nobody wants to face Derrick Rose and company in the playoffs.
- San Antonio Spurs (61-19): Just when you think the Spurs are too old and ready to collapse, Gregg Popovich’s squad turns it on. San Antonio followed the first six-game losing streak of the Tim Duncan era with a four-game winning streak to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference
- Miami Heat (56-24): An 8-2 stretch that included a statement win against the Boston Celtics has the heat primed to grab the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami suddenly looks every bit of a championship-caliber team, and LeBron James should get serious consideration for his third straight MVP.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (54-26): Four straight wins and an 8-2 record in their last 10 games has the Thunder within a game of both Dallas and Los Angeles for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Kendrick Perkins has made this club a legitimate title contender, and George Karl isn’t the only coach that doesn’t want any part of Kevin Durant and company in the postseason.
- Denver Nuggets (49-31): There win on the road against the Lakers solidified the Nuggets as a legitimate title contender. They have been much improved on the road since trading away Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, and they have been playing by far their most consistent basketball of the year. Denver is rolling toward the playoffs with eight wins in its last 10 games.
- Los Angeles Lakers (55-25): The Lakers went from scorching hot and on the verge of claiming the top seed in the Western Conference to losers of five straight games. Phil Jackson’s teams have had a way of turning it on in the playoffs, but as bad as this team has been lately, the two-time defending champs could be ripe for an upset.
- Dallas Mavericks (55-25): The Lakers losing streak has given the Mavericks a chance to grab the No. 2 seed out West. The teams are deadlocked with two games remaining, and Dirk Nowitzki and company have momentum on their side. Could this be the year the string of early playoff exits comes to an end?
- Memphis Grizzlies (46-34): Losing Rudy Gay for the season was supposed to keep the Grizzlies from making the playoffs. Instead, the team has responded with an 8-2 stretch, securing a postseason spot. Tony Allen has been lights out on both ends of the court since Gay went down, and this is a young, athletic team that could give the Spurs fits if they meet in the first round.
- New York Knicks (42-38): The Knicks have bounced back from an ugly six-game losing streak to win their last seven games. It will take an offseason for this team to truly gel after the new additions, but New York has enough star power to hang with the top teams in the East.
- Portland Trail Blazers (47-33): The Blazers are playing their best ball when it matters most, winning seven of their last 10 contests. Portland has been a club that has managed to be better than the sum of its parts all year, and they just find a way to win games. Don’t rule out a first round upset.
- Orlando Magic (50-30): Dwight Howard was forced to miss yet another game because of too many technical fouls, and the Magic very well might have beat the Bulls had he been on the court. Fortunately, his count resets come playoff time, but opposing teams will be trying to take advantage of his temper.
- Boston Celtics (55-25): Maybe the Celtics are sandbagging for the playoffs, and if they are, it is one of the most impressive displays in NBA history. Boston is just 5-5 in its last 10 games, including an embarrassing loss to Miami. They have enough veteran leadership to make a run, but there isn’t a lot to love about this team right now.
- New Orleans Hornets (46-34): Chris Paul has been struggling with his shot, and David West is out for the year. The Hornets have had a solid season, but they aren’t in position to make a run in the playoffs.
- Atlanta Hawks (44-36): The Hawks have looked lost for most of the second half of the year, and they are currently riding a four-game losing streak with the playoffs approaching. Trading Mike Bibby to Miami seemed like an innocent deal, but Atlanta can’t find its rhythm on offense without the veteran.
- Houston Rockets (42-38): The Rockets are the best team missing out on the playoffs in 2011. Houston is a deep team with a lot of good players, but sometimes it takes a star to win the close games. Kevin Martin can score with the best of them, but he isn’t a superstar.
- Philadelphia 76ers (41-39): The Sixers have been cooling off down the stretch and are just 5-5 in their last 10 games. Forward Andre Iguodala has been hampered by a knee injury, and it has slowed him down on offense. If Iguodala isn’t healthy, Philadelphia’s slim chances in the playoffs become even worse.
- Indiana Pacers (37-44): The Pacers should be ashamed of themselves for making the playoffs with a below .500 record, but it’s not their fault the rest of the Eastern Conference was even worse. Some games Roy Hibbert is the focal point on offense, sometimes Darren Collison dominates the ball, and other games Danny Granger leads the way. The team doesn’t have a true identity.
- Golden State Warriors (35-45): Monta Ellis is out for the season after a scary head injury, giving Warriors fans one less reason to watch the games. Forward David Lee just hasn’t had the impact he was expected to, and Golden State doesn’t rebound or play enough defense to contend in the Western Conference.
- Phoenix Suns (38-42): After making a push to sneak into the playoffs, the wind has come out of the Suns’ sails. Phoenix has won just twice in its last 10 games, and the front office needs to spend the offseason building a team around Steve Nash before it’s too late.
- Milwaukee Bucks (33-47): The Bucks flirted with a spot in the playoffs, but even in the Eastern Conference where a below .500 record can mean a trip to the postseason, Milwaukee came up short. Point guard Brandon Jennings didn’t help matters by calling out his teammates and management.
- Detroit Pistons (29-51): Big men Chris Wilcox and Greg Monroe have been quite a force down low during the Pistons recent three-game winning streak. However, Detroit need some serious help at guard in the offseason if this team is going to avoid another long year.
- Los Angeles Clippers (31-50): If Eric Gordon can stay healthy next season, the Clippers might be able to make a little noise. For now, they will have to settle for being the Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan traveling dunk show.
- Charlotte Bobcats (32-48): On the plus side, it appears that former No. 1 draft pick Kwame Brown can actually play a little basketball. The bad news is that six straight losses for the Bobcats have ended any chance they had at making the postseason.
- Sacramento Kings (24-56): You may be surprised to find out that the Kings’ 6-4 record in their last 10 games makes them the hottest team in the Pacific Division. Unfortunately for Sacramento fans, the Kings still have the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
- Washington Wizards (22-58): If the Wizards weren’t so embarrassing on the road, John Wall and company would have probably cracked 30 wins. However, a 3-37 record in road games offsets their near .500 mark at home.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (17-63): The Cavs have been the worst team in the league for a majority of the year, but a 4-6 stretch coupled with a dreadful slump by the Timberwolves has created a tie for the worst record in the NBA. I’m sure Cavaliers fans love the drama of whether or not their team will be the favorite to get the No. 1 pick.
- New Jersey Nets (24-56): The decision to shut down Deron Williams means the Nets are once again a complete joke. They have won just twice in their last 10 games, including a loss to the lowly Raptors. The New Jersey front office’s sole focus should be on resigning Williams and trying to surround him with firepower.
- Utah Jazz (37-43): Utah’s overall record masks how bad the team has been since Deron Williams left for New Jersey. The Jazz have just one win in their last 10 games, and the future is now bleak for a once perennial playoff team.
- Toronto Raptors (22-58): Jerryd Bayless and Ed Davis have looked impressive since getting a chance to start, but the Raptors have been terrible. They are just 2-8 in their last 10 games. On a positive note, the number of ping pong balls Toronto will have in the draft lottery continues to grow.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (17-63): With Kevin Love out of the lineup the only thing worth following in Minnesota is the team’s ever-growing losing streak. The Timberwolves have lost 13 straight and could finish the year with the worst record in the NBA.
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