2014 NBA Handicapping
The races in the NBA’s Eastern and Western conferences are heating up as the playoffs inch ever closer. With teams looking to solidify home court or just back their way into postseason contention we are seeing their true colors. [ad-4468020]
Here are the power rankings entering the 13th week of the NBA schedule. ([dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′])
1. Indiana Pacers (36-10): The Pacers have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games, though two of their three losses did come against the Suns.
The team can be forgiven for some poor performances on an always tough West coast road trip, but they’ll need to take care of business with back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday to start out the week.
2. Oklahoma City (38-11): The Thunder have jumped to the top spot on similar lists thanks to a 10-game winning streak and the other-worldly play of Kevin Durant lately, but they may have lost some of their mojo with a loss in Washington on Saturday.
Still, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with once Russell Westbrook returns.
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3. Miami Heat (33-13): The Heat have won four of their last five games and six of eight following a head-scratching three-game losing streak. They’re still the class of the Eastern Conference but needed to do better on their next road trip, a six game Western swing broken up by the All Star Game.
4. San Antonio Spurs (34-13): Sending only one player to the All Star Game is a blessing in disguise for a Spurs team that has lost its footing of late, losing three of their last four games and five of their last eight.
The team will begin its rodeo road trip on Monday, and they usually really begin to turn this on around this time of year.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (34-13): If this team could play even a lick of defense they would really be something. They’ll send two players to the All Star Game for the first time since 1994, and deservedly so given the brilliant play of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard this season.
Even more impressive than their league-leading 108.3 points per game is their league-leading 46.5 rebounds per game and third-ranked +3.7 rebound differential.
6. Memphis Grizzlies (26-20): Marc Gasol’s value to the Grizzlies has really been put on display for a team that has won 11 of its last 12 games. Now they’ll need to continue their momentum without the services of point guard Mike Conley who could be out up to four weeks.
Their 2-10 record inside their division could really use some work.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (34-16): The team continues to make noise out West even without the services of Chris Paul. The team has won 10 of the 14 games he’s missed, largely due to the production they’ve gotten from Blake Griffin, who has averaged 25.4 points per game in those 14 contests.
8. Houston Rockets (32-17): Houston can certainly score the basketball, averaging 105.1 points per game on the season.
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They’ve won six of their last eight contests, and get Phoenix at home on Wednesday before a stretch of four very winnable games.
9. Phoenix Suns (29-18): Phoenix continues to amaze. A write-off prior to the season, the Suns are seeded sixth in the tough Western Conference after winning five in a row, including picking up their second win over Indiana in an eight-day span.
Goran Dragic has poured in 22.5 points over the last 17 games, hitting on 45.5 percent of his shots from three.
10. Toronto Raptors (25-22): A win over Portland on Saturday would have been something, but the team has been strong enough to win five of their last seven after a bit of a rough patch.
DeMar DeRozan has been outstanding and Kyle Lowry deserved a spot in the All Star Game, but their real difference maker could be center Jonas Valanciunas who has begun to impose his will, averaging 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game over his last five contests
11. Golden State Warriors (29-19)
12. Dallas Mavericks (27-21)
13. Atlanta Hawks (25-21)
14. Washington Wizards (23-23)
15. Brooklyn Nets (20-25)
16. Chicago Bulls (23-23)
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (23-24)
18. Denver Nuggets (22-23)
19. New Orleans Pelicans (20-26)
20. Charlotte Bobcats (21-28)
21. New York Knicks (19-28)
22. Detroit Pistons (19-27)
23. Utah Jazz (16-31)
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (16-31)
25. Los Angeles Lakers (16-31)
26. Boston Celtics (16-33)
27. Sacramento Kings (15-32)
28. Philadelphia 76ers (15-33)
29. Orlando Magic (13-36)
30. Milwaukee Bucks (8-39)
