NBA Power Rankings: NY Knicks and More Teams Riding Hot Hand
The NY Knicks needed a miracle named Jeremy Lin to turn their season around, but they are not the only team making a steady rise in the weekly NBA power rankings.
The story of the Knicks is nothing short of remarkable. You have to consider that we really should be talking about a basement dweller that couldn't survive injuries to two of their best players.
Instead, we finally welcome New York back to the top 10 in this week's iteration of the basketball barometer.
Here are a few teams that join the Knicks in good fortune and sizzling-hot play. The trade deadline looms with the final playoff push immediately after.
The season is far more a sprint than we have bargained for, and here are some teams that are looking to finish strong.
New York Knicks
Jeremy Lin. That is really the only thing you need to know about the Knicks' amazing rise in the ranks. They have enjoyed an 8-1 record since the point guard took over and don't look like they are about to let up.
Lin is only getting better as he showed an ability to quell turnovers and still put up great production against the Mavericks.
I fully expect this team to be even higher than the 10 spot at this time next week.
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are another team that has taken the doldrums and turned them right around. They are 7-2 in their last nine games, a string that includes two wins over the Boston Celtics.
This is a young team that is still trying to find an identity, but it's clear that a string of wins is not too much to ask from them going forward.
I still don't see the playoffs in their future, but I am enjoying seeing them proving the doubters wrong.
Memphis Grizzlies
The feast or famine franchise continues to confound. After going 2-7 a couple weeks ago, the Grizzlies flipped the switch and have since gone 6-1 in the last seven games.
The offense is finally clicking as the team that is 20th in the league in scoring has put together three 100-plus point games in a row.
Last year's surprise playoff success is finally playing like contenders again.
Gabe Zaldivar's NBA Power Rankings
| 1. Miami Heat |
| 2. Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 3. San Antonio Spurs |
| 4. Chicago Bulls |
| 5. L.A. Clippers |
6. Philadelphia 76ers |
| 7. Dallas Mavericks |
| 8. L.A. Lakers |
| 9. Orlando Magic |
| 10. New York Knicks |
| 11. Memphis Grizzlies |
| 12. Houston Rockets |
| 13. Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 14. Indiana Pacers |
| 15. Portland Trail Blazers |
| 16. Atlanta Hawks |
| 17. Denver Nuggets |
| 18. Utah Jazz |
| 19. Boston Celtics |
| 20. Detroit Pistons |
| 21. Phoenix Suns |
| 22. Golden State Warriors |
| 23. Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 24. New Orleans Hornets |
| 25. New Jersey Nets |
| 26. Milwaukee Bucks |
| 27. Sacramento Kings |
| 28. Washington Wizards |
| 29. Toronto Raptors |
| 30. Charlotte Bobcats |
