Categories
NBA

Cappers Picks NBA Power Rankings – February 25th, 2013

Larry’s NBA Power Ratings

Isn’t it way past time for the Indiana Pacers to take a bow?

Virtually ignored, the Pacers are in terrific shape (35-21) as the season grinds into the home stretch. Scorer Danny Granger has finally returned from injury, bolstering a rotation that was already solid.

Granger now has several weeks to work himself back into the offense, and his legs should be fresh for the playoffs.

As the usual Eastern Conference suspects (Boston, New York, Chicago) have faded, the Pacers have won 4 in a row (on top of a 5-game streak earlier in the month) and look to be ready for a serious playoff run and a possible spot opposite the Heat in the Eastern finals.

To the rankings:

1. SPURS (45-13) – Any team that can win 2 of every 3 road games in the NBA (SA is 23-11) has to be comprised of robots.
2. HEAT (40-14) – Did James (28 points, 3 rebounds) go easy on the Cavs Sunday night, still feeling regret about the way he shot his way out of Ohio?
3. THUNDER (41-15) – Imagine where this franchise would be today if the Blazers had taken Durant No. 1 and the then-Sonics were forced to settle for Greg Oden.
4. CLIPPERS (40-18) – Somewhere (and not too far) down the road, the Clippers will have to deal with Eric Bledsoe, who is good enough to be a start in this league.
5. GRIZZLIES (37-18) – Methinks the Grizz might have a player in 6-foot-11, 285-pound beast Dexter Pittman, who they got from the Heat for a second-round pick.
6. PACERS (35-21) – It will be interesting to see how the Pacers manage front line minutes with Paul George, David West and Granger all looking for time and touches.
7. NUGGETS (35-22) – Denver hasn’t lost to a good team at home since the Heat took out the Nuggets way back on Nov. 15.
8. KNICKS (33-20) – Kenyon Martin says that he has a bad rep and that he’s really a nice guy who gets along with everyone. Ten-day contracts have a way of forcing former stars to eat humble pie.
9. WARRIORS (33-23) – Might be time to shut down Andrew Bogut, who has back problems again and has played only 12 games this season.
10. HAWKS (31-23) – Josh Smith is as good as gone. Smith wants to leave after the season, and the Hawks aren’t sure they want to even make an effort to sign him.
11. NETS (33-24) – Trouble in Black Rock. Deron Williams is banged up, Brook Lopez is playing like Chuck Nevitt and the Nets are starting a stretch in which 13 of their next 17 will be on the road.
12. BULLS (32-24) – One teammate (he doesn’t want to be identified) says that Derrick Rose is ready to return, but the star PG still is not mentally prepared.
13. JAZZ (31-25) – Big rush just before the All-Star break probably kept Paul Millsap from being traded. [ad-6571516]
14. ROCKETS (31-27) – When the 3s drop they can beat anybody. When they don’t . . . well, you know.
15. LAKERS (28-29) – Pau Gasol definitely out until at least playoffs.

16. CELTICS (29-27)
17. BUCKS (26-28)
18. TRAIL BLAZERS (26-30)
19. MAVERICKS (25-30)
20. RAPTORS (23-33)
21. 76ers (22-32)
22. PISTONS (22-36)
23. TIMBERWOLVES (20-33)
24. CAVALIERS (18-38)
25. HORNETS/PELICANS (20-37)
26. KINGS/SONICS (19-38)
27. WIZARDS (17-37)
28. SUNS (18-39)
29. MAGIC (15-41)
30. BOBCATS (13-43)

By Lawrence Paul

Lawrence Paul is back in the saddle as a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. He's got an AMAZING knack for predicting when a team will have a letdown! Stick with our resident gambling experts sports betting tips all season long!