NBA Momentum Meter: Who's Got It, Who Doesn't?

The NBA playoffs are drawing nearer and in the manner of just one week, the final playoff standings have undergone some HUGE changes.  The San Antonio Spurs have ridden a winning streak to the top of the Western Conference and despite being an old team, they look as though they have one more title run in them.

In the East, the Indiana Pacers have gone from a seeming fluke to a hot-shooting squad that could potentially go on a big run.  Needless to say, I'm very excited for this year's postseason as the regular season only has about a week left to go, and the playoff picture is far from set.

Thus, let's break down just who has and who hasn't got the necessary momentum as the season winds down.

Who's Hot: Utah Jazz

Utah has won three of five, with wins over their rival Houston Rockets as well as a stunning overtime thriller against the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.  Over the past three games, point guard Devin Harris' scoring has come alive, as he has averaged 23.3 points and 5.6 points.

Combined with the consistency of big man Al Jefferson and a hot streak by Gordon Hayward, and Utah is back in the playoff picture as the No. 8 seed in the competitive Western Conference. 

They have three games remaining, all at home and against teams that are looking far from impressive.  At this rate, the momentum is theirs to lose.

Who's Not: Phoenix Suns

Given how the Suns have been on the playoff bubble most of the season, I think one thing is pretty clear.  They're playing just hard enough to make it seem like Steve Nash will be back next year.  Though they only trail the Jazz by a half-game for that final playoff spot, it's going to be an uphill battle and then some.

You see, Phoenix has four games remaining, three of which are at home.  Yet, they have to face three playoff-caliber teams, including the Jazz. 

Unless the better teams rest their starters, chances are that the Suns' recent losses will come back to haunt them, as they haven't really been able to establish any true momentum as of late.

Who's Hot: Los Angeles Clippers

If there's any team that has momentum out west, it's the Los Angeles Clippers.  They have won five in a row, including two wins over the ever-dangerous Oklahoma City Thunder.

More importantly, Chris Paul and the rest of Lob City are still in a dead heat with the Los Angeles Lakers for the Pacific Division crown.  With four games remaining, it'll be interesting to see if they can keep their momentum going, despite having to go on the road three times.

Who's Not: Los Angeles Lakers

I don't care if the Lakers have done well in spite of Kobe Bryant being out with an injury.  Their momentum has been a sputtering one, if anything.

Their last three games will be tough, with one against the Spurs and another against the Thunder.  Without Bryant on the court, these games could quickly turn into blowouts.

Who's Hot: San Antonio Spurs

Simply put, there is no way to stop the San Antonio Spurs.  This team is running on all cylinders and has won five in a row, and of their five remaining games, only one is against a playoff-caliber team.

With the momentum they have going for them, they could easily extend their half-game lead over the Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference. 

Even if the lead stays that way, San Antonio is playing well enough to the point where the gap between them and teams below them won't even matter.

Who's Not: Milwaukee Bucks

I can understand why Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles looks upset in this picture.  Last week, his team was within striking distance of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot, and now they trail the No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers by two and a half games with just five games left on the schedule.

Can Milwaukee get over the hump and clinch a playoff berth?  Absolutely.  Still, with losses to the red-hot Knicks and lowly Washington Wizards in the past week, fans shouldn't be optimistic.

Who's Hot: New York Knicks

I don't know how the Knicks have done it as of late.  Even without star players Jeremy Lin and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Carmelo Anthony-led squad has managed to take out top teams and thus keep pace with the rest of the Eastern Conference squads that are fighting for a playoff spot.

In the span of just one month, the Knicks have gone from being playoff pretenders to serious contenders, currently holding the No. 7 seed.  With Stoudemire due back Friday, there are only three ways for them to go: up, up or farther up.

Who's Not: Houston Rockets

Even with Kyle Lowry back and healthy, the Rockets have gone on unexplainable stumbling stretch.  They have lost five in a row and have fallen out of the playoff picture, trailing Utah by half a game.

They can still get back in, as three of their four remaining games are against non-playoff teams.  Still, with a team as young as Houston's, I'm not sure that they'll be able to pull together in time.

Who's Hot: Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are on a six-game winning streak and at this point, they look borderline unbeatable.  Danny Granger has led his team as they have won 10 of 11, including an impressive victory over the Thunder on April 6.

They have a distinct advantage for the remainder of the season, as all four of their remaining games are at home.  When they close out the season against the Chicago Bulls, it could set the tone for what could become an intense playoff picture out East.

Who's Not: Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have already stumbled down to the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, much in part to All-Star center Dwight Howard being sidelined with a balky back. 

The team was dealt an even worse blow yesterday when Matt Moore of CBSSports.com reported that Howard would probably sit out the playoffs not only because of his injury, but because of his deteriorating relationship with head coach Stan Van Gundy.

That said, with their best player out, the Magic are between a rock and a hard place.  They have four games remaining, three of which are on the road, all but one against playoff-caliber teams.  Call me crazy, but it's a miracle that they'll even make the playoffs at all.