It has been an interesting week of basketball in the NBA. Losing teams winning and winning teams losing, and then, well.... Miami continues to do their thing. Check out this weeks top ten teams in the NBA.
1. San Antonio (41-13)
San Antonio remains at the top spot for this weeks power rankings despite taking an overtime loss last night to Golden State. Losing to Detroit and Golden State in the past two weeks seems pretty bad, but this team is still and outstanding 25-5 since December 21. With the majority of their games remaining this season being at home, the Spurs are in no shape to drop any spots in the rankings considering their home record of 22-2.
2. Miami (38-14)
Miami moves up to the number two spot after defeating Oklahoma City for the sixth time in a row. The game was played just days after they passed the Thunder for the most efficient offense in the NBA. Miami currently has the NBA's longest winning streak with 9 games. They now have the most comfortable lead in the East that they have had all season. If they keep their streak going, they could pass San Antonio for the number one spot as the season comes to an end.
3. Oklahoma City (40-15)
Oklahoma City finally hit 40 wins with a 127-111 victory over Minnesota last night. The Thunder will not have to worry about Miami again until it comes to the Finals. I have to disagree with what the analyst are saying, this is Kevin Durant's year. He will win the MVP along with the scoring title, and lead his team to a championship. Oklahoma City has put themselves in a tough position to get the one seed, but it is not too far out of reach.
4. LA Clippers (39-18)
The LA Clippers take the number four spot even after a coming off of a loss. Chris Paul is healthy, and Blake Griffin is performing on a different level than he ever has before. Putting themselves at best the third team in the Western Conference, it will be interesting to see how things play out when the playoffs come around. The Clips have put themselves in a great position to make a run for the Finals, and will keep getting better if their offense can continue to perform like it is now.
5. Memphis (36-18)
Memphis comes all the way up to make the top five in this weeks power rankings. Memphis is a team that is very capable of sneaking up on some teams when the playoffs roll around. Picking up Austin Daye and his ability to score from beyond the arc, is providing the best offense of the season for Memphis. Over their last four games Memphis is averaging 108.5 points per 100 possessions.
6. New York (32-20)
New York is led on the defensive side of the ball by no other than Tyson Chandler. Chandler said that defense has to be their main focus after the all-star break. New York has been giving up an average of 110.5 points per 100 possessions in the last four games, two of which were teams ranked in the bottom ten in offense. If New York wants to have any shot of beating out the Heat in the playoffs, defense is definitely going to have to be a main focus.
7. Indiana (34-21)
Indiana is the team that I picked at the beginning of the season to beat out Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. Here they find themselves ranked number seven in the power rankings and two games ahead in the Central division. Thus far into the season, the Pacers have had the NBA's eighth ranked offense. With the return of Danny Granger, they are bound to improve on both offense and defense even more.
8. Brooklyn (33-23)
Brooklyn moves up to the number eight spot in this weeks rankings after beating both Indiana and Denver before the break. Both of those games were won without their star guard Deron Williams. Brooklyn is in second place in the Atlantic Division, however they are only one game back. The Nets need Deron Williams to return 100% healthy from his ankle injury as they make a push for first place.
9. Chicago (32-23)
Despite having their best player out with an ACL tear, Chicago still finds their selves in second place in the Central Division behind Indiana. The Bulls are being very cautious with the return of Derick Rose, as they should be. Rose is the future of this franchise, and letting him return early would only jeopardize their future. Even without Rose, the Bulls are a legitimate contender in the playoffs this year.
10. Golden State (32-23)
Golden State is a team with a lot of talent that is often taken very lightly. They have shown some really bad performances, and some outstanding ones such as the overtime victory against San Antonio last night. The Warriors are currently on a two game winning streak as they head into their five game road trip. Golden State has an opportunity to finish strong having 16 out of their last 22 games at home.
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