NBA Power Rankings: Have Miami Heat Dethroned Chicago Bulls at the Top?
As the NBA regular season comes down to its final weeks the Eastern Conference race became a lot more interesting as the Miami Heat have closed within two games of the Chicago Bulls for the conference’s top seed.
With 11 games remaining for the Heat, it’s getting close to the time where they need to turn things up for the postseason and catching Chicago would be huge for Miami, given the fact that they are 30-8 on the season at home.
So given the fact that the Heat have been playing well and the Bulls have had their struggles as of late, will Miami leapfrog Chicago as the Eastern Conference’s best team in our daily power rankings?
Let’s take a look.
1. San Antonio Spurs (40-15)
Despite seeing their 11-game win streak come to an end last night against Utah, the Spurs don’t relinquish the top spot just yet, considering Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili didn’t make the trip.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-15)
Solid win last night for the Thunder as they jump back into the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference, after an impressive 20-point win over a hot Milwaukee team
3. Chicago Bulls (43-14)
The Bulls have lost three of four, but they barely hold off the Heat for another day. That could all change though as Derrick Rose is in a walking boot after injuring his ankle Sunday against the New York Knicks.
Chicago just happens to face the Knicks again tonight and if they don’t get things turned around, they could be looking up at Miami in the near future.
4. Miami Heat (40-15)
The Heat stay at No. 4 for now, only due to the fact that they haven’t played their best basketball as of late, winners of only six of their past 10 games.
They do get Dwayne Wade back tonight for a key matchup against the Boston Celtics, who defeated the Heat 91-72 only nine days ago.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (33-23)
This may look a bit high for the Grizzlies, but they are hot. They have won six of their past seven games and have beaten some very good teams, including Oklahoma City, Miami, Dallas and the Los Angeles Clippers during that stretch.
6. Indiana Pacers (35-22)
The Pacers are a team that no one wants to see in the first round of the playoffs. With five upcoming consecutive games against non-playoff teams, Indiana could be close to locking up home-court advantage for the first round.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (36-22)
The Lakers squeezed one out last night against New Orleans, doing so without the services of Kobe Bryant. They have the best starting five in the NBA and are still championship contenders; however, putting together consistent efforts must be a priority down the stretch.
8. New York Knicks (29-27)
The Knicks are a hard team to place in these power rankings. Judging by their 11-3 performance under interim head coach Mike Woodson and the recent inspired play from Carmelo Anthony, they are a top-five team and one that no one wants to see in the first round.
A win tonight in Chicago could bump them into the top five for good.
9. Boston Celtics (32-24)
Boston's won seven of 10 contests and look to keep it going against the Heat. For a team that’s 27th in the NBA in scoring and last in the league in rebounding, the Celtics have put together a very nice streak.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (34-23)
It was a tough loss last night against the Grizzlies, but don’t ignore the fact that they’ve won eight of 10 recently and are still in the thick of things in the Pacific Division.
11. Atlanta Hawks (34-23)
Don’t forget about Atlanta either as the Hawks are only a game behind Indiana for the No. 3 seed in the east. They will be well rested when they take on Boston on Wednesday after the Celtics face a tough test with the Heat tonight.
12. Houston Rockets (32-25)
The Rockets made it four in a row with a win over Portland and now sit as the No. 6 seed in the west. Now’s no time for Kevin McHale’s team to slow down, as they are only two games away from missing the playoffs in a tight race for the bottom three seeds.
13. Orlando Magic (34-23)
The drama died down for a day in Orlando and the magic responded by thumping the Detroit Pistons for their second straight win. Even more impressive was the fact that they did it without Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu in the lineup.
14. Dallas Mavericks (31-26)
The Mavs have lost three of four and need to get things turned around as only one game separates them from the Phoenix Suns and the final playoff spot.
15. Denver Nuggets (31-26)
The Nuggets got back on the winning track with a big win over Golden State and look to potentially climb up to the No. 7 seed for now with a win over Minnesota on Wednesday.
They stayed in the mix and they have Danilo Gallinari back, so now the Nuggets can potentially make a run.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (29-27)
Four consecutive losses and the Sixers look nothing like the team that led the Atlantic Division for most of the season. On the bright side they have Toronto and a pair against New Jersey on tap.
17. Phoenix Suns (30-27)
The Suns are making a late charge by winning five of their past six and sit only a game out of the last playoff spot in the west.
18. Milwaukee Bucks (28-29)
After winning four straight, the Bucks got thumped by Oklahoma City last night. The schedule still favors them though down the stretch in their attempt to make the playoffs.
Up next is a huge game on Wednesday against the Knicks who will be playing their second game in consecutive days.
19. Utah Jazz (30-28)
The Jazz caught a break by ending San Antonio’s win streak and keeping their playoff hopes alive in the process.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (27-31)
It’s been an up and down season for the Blazers and that trend has continued after dismantling their roster and firing head coach Nate McMillan as the Blazers are only 7-8 since the trade deadline.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-33)
It’s been nine losses in 11 games for the Wolves as Ricky Rubio’s value to this team grows by the game.
22. Golden State Warriors (22-34)
The Warriors have lost eight of 10 as it will be another year missing the playoffs for Golden State.
23. Detroit Pistons (21-36)
The Pistons have played better as of late but losing by 20 to an Orlando team without Dwight Howard is unacceptable.
24. New Jersey Nets (21-37)
New Jersey has looked like a basketball team as of late, but their six wins in a 10-game stretch has come against bad competition. Let’s see how they do against Philadelphia (twice), Miami, Boston and New York during their next five.
25. Toronto Raptors (20-38)
Three straight losses have followed three wins in a row for the Raptors, who have their eyes on next season. Adding a high lottery pick plus Jonas Valanciunas could turn this team around in a hurry.
26. New Orleans Hornets (15-41)
The Hornets battle every night but have to learn how to win close games.
27. Sacramento Kings (19-38)
The Kings have some talent but until they learn to play defensively as a team, the losses will continue to pile up.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-37)
It’s been 13 losses in 15 games for Cleveland, who has their eyes set on the lottery.
29. Washington Wizards (13-44)
The Wizards won a game last night and that’s news all to itself in the Nation’s Capital.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (7-48)
Last night’s performance against the Wizards was as embarrassing as it gets for an NBA team. Winning the lottery would be a bonus.
